Clara Barton: Angel of the Battlefield

This is one in a series of inexpensive but superbly produced biographies created for younger readers (ages 7-9) that enable them to gain a much better understanding and appreciation of key figures throughout U.S. history, most of whom also had significant impact worldwide. That is certainly true of Clara Barton ((December 25, 1821 - April 12, 1912) who founded and served as the first president of the American Red Cross (ARC) in 1881, an affiliate of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and its humanitarian work during the Franco-Prussian War. Created in 1864, the ICRC had been chartered to provide humane services to all victims of war under a flag of neutrality and that has continued to be true of the ARC, also, given the involvement of U.S. forces in various wars throughout the last 127 years. As is true of the other volumes in this series, this mini-biography is based on rock-solid historical material and includes a number of archival photos to supplement the lively narrative created by the Time editors in collaboration with Anna Prokos. I feel obligated to add, that this is not a book written for younger "dummies" or "idiots." Those who wish to learn more about the "angel of the battlefield" are urged to check out Augusta Stevenson's Clara Barton: Founder Of The American Red Cross (The Childhood of Famous Americans Series), Stephen B. Oates's Woman of Valor: Clara Barton and the Civil War, and Elizabeth Brown Pryor's Clara Barton: Professional Angel.

Time For Kids is awesome. My class enjoyed reading the text and looking at the great pictures. I definitely recommend anything by Time For Kids!