Reviews

Fast Enough: Bessie Stringfield's First Ride by Joel Christian Gill

afro8921's review against another edition

3.0

I really enjoyed the illustrations and the story line of this book. This is a good read for children struggling with self-esteem or friendship issues.

gothai's review against another edition

3.0

A fictional imagination of the childhood of Bessie Stringfield wherein she races along with the boys to prove that she is fast enough. Interesting pictures.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC

ljrinaldi's review against another edition

4.0

On the surface, this is a cool story about a little girl finding her power. When Bessie is teased by the neighborhood boys, who won't ride their bikes with her, and put her down, she finds an innor talent, and inner power that burst out and beats the pants off those teasing boys.

Bessie later, goes on to be a talented motorcycle rider, all around the south in the 1930s, which is amazing in itself, but doubly amazing for a black woman.

This story is cute, because apparently it is based on the stories that she told about herself.



Lovely illustrations, and cute story. I also like how the story is fact checked, and the author says that even if it didn't happen quite the way she said, she was still talented.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

fernandie's review against another edition

3.0

Note: I received digital review copies of this book direct from the publisher and through Edelweiss.

bookdingo's review against another edition

4.0

Another figure from history I never would've known about if I hadn't been poking around on OverDrive for interesting kids' books!

scostner's review against another edition

3.0

This imagined incident from the life of motorcyclist Bessie Stringfield plays on her love of speeding along on two wheels and imitates the sort of stories she often told about her own life. The additional information at the end of the story tells of her travels as an adult on her motorcycle, including her career as the only female civilian motorcycle courier for the U.S. military. It also mentions The Negro Motorist Green Book, which was used by "black people traveling in America" to find hotels and other services that were safe for them while they were on the road.

I especially like that the author discusses the discrepancies in Bessie's accounts of her early life and those that are supported by evidence. As he says, "This kind of contradicting information often follows people whose adventures are larger than life."

This is a good book to use for units for Women's History Month, Black History Month, or with guidance lessons on self-esteem and perseverance. It is also a good picture book to put into the hands of young readers who enjoy stories about transportation and people who feel "the need for speed."

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

cjeziorski's review against another edition

3.0

This was an enjoyable book about a woman I didn’t know about before. The story was fine—the strong message of girls being able to do anything boys can do is clear—but it was just a story. I actually enjoyed the author’s note at the end much more—that biographical info made me want to find out more about Bessie.

elizabethlk's review against another edition

4.0

Earlier this year, I read Joel Christian Gill's Bessie Stringfield: Tales of the Talented Tenth, no. 2. It was my first time reading anything about Bessie Stringfield, and I was fascinated. When I found out Gill was authoring a picture book about Stringfield's life, I knew I was going to have to read it. I definitely find myself charmed by Fast Enough as well.

Stringfield led a fascinating life, and this picture book really does it justice for younger readers. I liked the way Gill presented the story in a way that children could relate to, with Stringfield's desire to be "good enough" as a major factor in the tale. Starting the story off by showing Stringfield as a vibrant young girl with a need for speed on her bicycle really worked here, especially as the story built around the character's reality and her dreams. Ending the story with a description of the life of the real woman was a nice touch, and will satisfy curious kids and adults alike.

I think the illustrations were especially lovely, with Gill's art style really bringing the characters to life, especially bringing Bessie Stringfield herself to life. Getting to see a young black girl with natural hair was especially great to see.

I definitely recommend Fast Enough: Bessie Stringfield's First Ride. This vibrant and vital piece of history is brought to life with lovely messages, extra historical information, a sweet and relatable story, and top notch illustrations. Kids and adults will both find something to like about this one.

jmanchester0's review against another edition

5.0

Have you ever been told that you were not enough?

While all of us have experienced that to some extent, it‰ЫЄs the lot of some to experience it more.

Bessie‰ЫЄs Springfield‰ЫЄs story is an inspiring tale of figuring out what you‰ЫЄre capable of in the face of a society that tells you you‰ЫЄre not.

Plus, this is a great children‰ЫЄs book, with some fantastic art. I‰ЫЄve been following Joel Christian Gill for a while now, and he‰ЫЄs a great writer and amazing artist. I‰ЫЄm glad he‰ЫЄs telling us the stories no one else will.

Thanks to NetGalley, Diamond Book Distributors, and Lion Forge for a copy in return for an honest review.

therainbowshelf's review against another edition

adventurous informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book is a charming way to learn about a woman who broke color and gender barriers in the US. I enjoyed the book and think it will be a fun and empowering read for kiddos to.