Amazing Girls of Arizona
True Stories of Young Pioneers
written by Jan Cleere, reviewed by Nancy J. Reid

It is clear that Jan Cleere has a sympathetic pride for the girls who helped settle the Arizona Territory. From the girls she picked to write about--to the manner in which she describes each girl's personality, challenges and successes--her passion for these girls shows through. Jan has a very easy going writing style that carries you across the Arizona desert, transports you into the lifestyle of the young pioneering girls of the old west, and gives you a glimpse at their strength of character. As this selection of young girls meet the challenges put in front of them, it becomes clear what it took to settle the Arizona Territory. This strength of purpose is carried forward today, and Jan includes not only those who helped settled the territory, but some who came after, meeting a new set of challenges and prejudices. It is a great read and a book I would encourage any young girl to read. It carries a message every young girl should hold dear--that you can become whatever you want--regardless of gender, background or ethnicity.

Profiles in the book are: Olive Ann Oatman; Atanacia Santa Cruz; Laurette Lovell; Anna Magdalena Box; Edith Olive Stratton; Mildred Back; Edith June Bass; Helen "Dowawisimna"; Eva Antonia Wilbur; Ruth Okimoto; and girls baseball team PBSW Ramblers--spanning the years of 1837 to the present.

Jan Cleere joined The Big Blend Magazine editors Nancy J. Reid and Lisa D. Smith on their online radio show ‘Champagne Sundays’, on July 13, 2008. To listen to the entire, unedited show, please click here. To listen to Jan's interview, please double click on the Play Button below:

Jan Cleere Author and freelance writer Jan Cleere writes extensively about the desert southwest, its unique characters, creatures, and vegetation. Her work appears in numerous regional publications such as Arizona Highways Magazine, Chronicle of the Old West, and more. Jan’s first book, ‘More Than Petticoats: Remarkable Nevada Women’, was a 2006 WILLA Literary Award finalist, and a 2006 Arizona Press Women's literary competition finalist. The Nevada Women's History Project elected Jan to its Roll of Honor for "her significant contribution in the preservation of Nevada's women history." Her second book ‘Outlaw Tales of Arizona: True Stories of Arizona's Most Famous Robbers, Rustlers, and Bandits’, was recognized nationally in 2007 as winner of the National Federation of Press Women's literary competition for historical nonfiction. She has just released her third book ‘Amazing Girls of Arizona: True Stories of Young Pioneers.’