Beauty Pageants: Tiaras, Roses, and Runways (First Book)

Grade 4-8. An objective treatment of a controversial topic. Alter takes an overall look at beauty pageants of various types, and then focuses on the Miss America contest. Several chapters are devoted to the history of this particular event, followed by a "year in the life" of the winner. The author includes criticisms of beauty pageants along with the benefits such as scholarships and public exposure leading to careers in acting. Her style is lively, clear, and nonjudgmental. Of particular interest are the numerous color and black-and-white photographs of pageants and contestants past and present. Racial and ethnic representation is especially good. Nancie S. Martin's Miss America (Messner, 1985; o.p.), though somewhat dated, provides much more depth in its examination of a single pageant.?Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.