MotherReader

It's the official Girl Scouts 100th birthday today, so as a proud member and leader I'd like to celebrate by sharing a new book for Nonfiction Monday hosted today by Rasco from RIF. The problem is my lead-in where I'd usually share a personal connection to the topic. As a long-time leader it's hard to know where to start. I was so proud seeing so many of my teens earn their Silver Award for service and then watching their induction to the National Honor Society as tenth graders. On the other hand I have now where I am leader and cookie coordinator of two troops - with both my co-leaders experiencing personal issues that are limiting their involvement - wrapping up the fourth cookie booth sale that I have personally had to staff. So there are highs and lows.

I've based a whole trip on the skill of campfire cooking, to learn that open fires were forbidden because of drought and have spent at least two camping trips in steady rain. I've slept on the floor of a museum and the balcony of an oceanfront hotel. Along with my troops, I've learned skills in cooking, archery, canoeing, first aid, and photography. We've studied aspects of art, law, music, finances, fashion, writing, theatre, science, sports, and child care. During the years we've organized service projects and collections that brought books to needy schools, mosquito nets to African homes, and art supplies to homeless children. This very month one troop will teach camping skills to younger scouts while the teens organize a social media campaign for concepts from the Girl Effect. If at times Girl Scouts gets reduced to cookies, crafts and camping, I know better. And books like this help us all know better.

Here Come the Girl Scouts!: The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette 'Daisy' Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure
by Shana Corey and illustrated by Hadley Hooper
Scholastic Press, 2012
reviewed from library copy

Finally! Here is a perfect book for girls to learn about the founder of Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low, and the beginnings of the organization itself. Old-fashioned and engaging illustrations complement the easy-enough text to create a fantastic story of breaking barriers. Starting with Juliette Gordon Low as a young girl, we learn that she was an adventurous sort who found a way to bring camping, sports, and service to a population considered too delicate for such things. The values of Girl Scouts are interwoven in the biographical information as quotes from Juliette Low are incorporated into the lovely pages. A wonderful celebration of an outstanding woman and of Girl Scouts!