Little Sure Shot: The Story of Annie Oakley

This interesting reader is about Annie Oakley. It combines photos as well as colorful artwork to depict Annie's life; from the time when she first dares to pick up a gun and hunt for food, circa 1869, to her death in 1926. It covers a great many aspects of Annie's life including her failed attempt to get an education (she was ridiculed for her poverty), her long marriage to a sharp-shooter (he died 3 weeks after she did), and how she eventually sailed with Buffalo Bill to Europe where she saw Queen Victoria. All in all it is a fascinating story. My motivation for acquiring this book was that I wanted to introduce some 'biographies' into my daughters reading. This fit the bill. In regards to the verbal stylings of the book, I have to say that at first I was a little put off as the book is written in a very odd third-person voice - see below. But as it turns out it makes for a fairly engaging read for young folk. I've included a few paragraphs below for your perusal as there is not 'search inside' this book feature for this particular text. Mama will not like this, thinks the girl. But I'm going to do it anyhow. I have to. The girl takes the gun into the woods.... And from later in the book: Could one day change everything? Yes! Life was never the same for the Moses family after Annie picked up that gun. She put food on the table. She even sold the game she shot. A fancy restaurant bought the quail and grouse. A trader named Frenchy La Motte bought the foxes, minks, and raccoons for their skins. For the first time ever, Annie's family didn't have to worry about money. As for the Reading Level, I think those that are listed are pretty realistic. My daughter at six could read the words, but was put off by the shear amount of text per page. Probably by second grade this won't be a problem. Four Stars. [B-] Colorful artwork is supplemented by photos. This book shows Annie as she struggles and overcomes obstacles. She grows from a poor girl to an accomplished woman at a time when social mobility was rather limited for women. Besides Annie, Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull are introduced to children. The only drawback (assuming that shooting animals doesn't offend you) would be the odd choice of 'voice' that the book is written in. I've included a few paragraphs (above) so you can judge for yourself. We enjoyed this book.

This is the second book we read in our recently formed Mother-Daughter Book Club. The members of our Club are third grade students at Calvary Episcopal School in Richmond, Texas. Our girls had this to say about the book: "Little Sure Shot is the best book I've ever read. I really recommend this book. Annie Oakley is the best shot I have ever heard of. She does shooting tricks and sounds like a nice girl." Caitlin, age 8 "I liked this book because she practices and does not give up but I did not like this book because it is a little sad. P.S. You should read this book." Sarah, age 8 "You should read Annie Oakley because she can shoot a cigarette out of a prince's mouth." Grethe, age 8 "I liked this book because Annie was famous, she was a great shot, she was nice, she was the only girl that could shoot like she did, she got married, she made lots of money, she was kind and she found that she could put food on the table." Christine, age 8 If you work hard, you could do anything." Lauren, age 8 "She was a good shot and a nice person. She was very poor. She lived a long time ago. She could do lots of things with a gun." Megan, age 8 A couple of the girls read this book several times and loved it which made their moms happy as well.