Book Detail

Coast to Coast with Alice

Publication Information
Author:  Hyatt, Patricia Rusch Illustrator:  
Title:  Coast to Coast with Alice Date:  1995
Publisher:  Carolrhoda City:  Minneapolis
ISBN, paperback:  0-87614-789-9 ISBN, hardback:  

Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes ESOL:  
Family:   Yes Young Adult:   Yes
Picture:  

General Information:
Book Type(s):    historical fiction, diaries and journals

HSE Descriptor(s):    social studies

Summary:
A fictionalized account of the real 1909 journey of four women who crossed the country in a Maxwell car becoming the first women to do so. Written as a journal by Minna Jahns, the 15-year-old friend of Alice Ramsey, the narrative includes the physical difficulties, the dress, the attitudes, the publicity of the car company, and the slang of the period. The author provides a map, a bibliography and a Frequently Asked Questions section. The book is illustrated with photographs of the actual journey. There are two entries about the crossing of Ohio from Ashtabula to Toledo.

Teaching Ideas:
Teachers may want to use this book in a variety of ways. Some discussion questions might be "Were the women foolhardy?" or "Why do people want to set records?" The Guinness Book of World Records might be fun to use in this regard. The map could be compared and contrasted with one from today. Students could chart the trip using today's roads and calculate how long the journey might take. The book can be used in a unit about women overcoming barriers perhaps paired with Freedman's Eleanor Roosevelt. It could also be compared and contrasted with other transcontinental travels such as Murphy's Across America on an Emigrant Train. Students could use the format to create their own journal-like accounts of other historical events.

Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
bullet Art and Photography > photography
bullet Emotions-Personal Issues > personal issues > individual > physical issues > gender
bullet Emotions-Personal Issues > personal issues > individual > resourcefulness
bullet Geography > maps
bullet History > time period > 20th Century
bullet History > region > U.S. history
bullet Social Studies > sociology > women
bullet Sports/Recreation > travel > adventures
bullet Sports/Recreation > travel > journeys/voyages
bullet Transportation > cars


Ohio Aspire

Contact us

Ohio Aspire
p: 800.765.2897 option 2
p: 330.672.2007 option 2
f: 330.672.4841
ohiopdn@literacy.kent.edu

Explore more resources at:

Ohio Aspire
PDN Library