2016 Amelia Bloomer List Massachusetts Book Award Must Read Books List for 2016 A picture book biography of Lucille Mulhall, a Wild West performer in the early 1900s whose skills were as considerable as her male counterparts and who is often regarded as "the original cowgirl." Who says girls can't be cowboys? Lucille Mulhall wasn't like most girls in the 1890s. She didn’t give a lick about sewing or cooking or becoming a lady. Lucille had her heart set on roping and riding. At a time when most women couldn’t vote or own property, Lucille never let society’s expectations or the dangers of roping and riding stop her from pursuing her passion. Traveling around the country, she broke records and thrilled crowds with her daring acts. Soon cowboys, ranch hands, and folks all over the world cheered for the feisty and fearless girl cowboy. Gr 2–5—A picture-book biography of Oklahoma trail blazer Lucille Mulhall. Mulhall (1885–1940) was given many nicknames, but she popularized the term cowgirl, and it stuck. She could ride and lasso horses and hog-tie steers better and faster than a man, fascinating onlookers and horrifying her mother with her unladylike behavior. When Theodore Roosevelt saw Mulhall in action, he encouraged her family to allow her to pursue a life in the saddle. Single-minded and fearless, she followed her dream, traveling the country going from one rodeo competition to the next, breaking records and winning prizes. The lighthearted text is matched by expressive, cartoon-style illustrations that show the fear, determination, pride, and jubilation this indomitable woman experienced. A more detailed afterword and time line flesh out Mulhall's life. VERDICT An inspiration to young riders, this title will round out biography sections. For a more complete treatment, look for Sylvia Branzei's Rebel in a Dress: Cowgirls (Running Pr., 2011).—Carol S. Surges, formerly at Longfellow Middle School, Wauwatosa, WI 2016 Amelia Bloomer List Massachusetts Book Award Must Read Books List for 2016 "The lighthearted text is matched by expressive, cartoon-style illustrations that show fear, determination, pride, and jubilation this indomitable woman experienced." ―School Library Journal "Mulhall may not be a household name, but Lang makes her memorable for anyone who admires go-getters who beat the odds and break barriers."― Kirkus Reviews "The illustrations, a mix of folk art and expressionism done to comic effect (the distended nostrils and meaning-filled eyes of the horses and cattle here are hilarious), perk up what might otherwise be a standard biography. A true story that emphasizes that no one should be barred from pursuing her (or his) dream." ―Booklist "Lang tells of Lucille's real-life journey to cowgirl fame in folksy prose while Beaky's accompanying illustrations, as big and bold as Lucille herself in their full-page spreads and primary colors, add just the right amount of visual humor to this accessible, enjoyable biography." ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Heather Lang once tried to learn to jump on horseback, but now she sticks to trail rides and leaves the more ambitious riding to her daughter. Heather loves to research and write about real women who overcame extraordinary obstacles and never gave up on their dreams. Her picture book biographies include, Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark, Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine,  The Original Cowgirl: The Wild Adventures of Lucille Mulhall, and   Queen of the Track: Alice Coachman, Olympic High-Jump Champion.  Heather also writes web articles for the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance. When she is not writing, she loves to go on adventures with her husband and four children. Visit Heather at heatherlangbooks.com.