Women Who Have Shaken Things Up
Who says women can't be doctors? : the story of Elizabeth Blackwell by Stone, Tanya Lee — Henry Holt and Company, 2013--610; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.5 An introduction to the life and achievements of the first American female doctor describes the limited career prospects available to women in the early nineteenth-century, the opposition Blackwell faced while pursuing a medical education, and her pioneering medical career that opened doors for future generations of women.
Rationale: Elizabeth Blackwell has been part of my knowledge bank and interest since I was in 4th grade and, due to an illness that kept me out of school for months, I had lots of time to read. About then I found the Bobbs-Merrill Childhood Biographies series--the ones with the silhouette artwork. Blackwell was one of my favorites and for years I wanted to be a doctor, too, but then life happened and I didn’t like chemistry as much as reading and didn’t like spending hours in a lab at the expense of a social life. So, I changed my career orientation to history and libraries and reading. This particular title has been on my “books to share list” since its publication, allowing me to at least promote the medical profession for girls and boys.
If I haven’t done a biography emphasis in February as part of Black History Month, I like to do a biography unit in March as part of Women’s History Month. For many years I used David Adler’s Picture Book Biography series because each student could read about a different person since we had so many titles and so many people were represented. The Inspiration Book was the start of my Women’s History Month emphasis about women who have shaken up the world some way. And, thanks to a new title Shaking Things Up by Susan Hood I have new impetus to expand the work. There are so many wonderful newer picture book biographies about women who have made a big difference that you could have different grades study women involved with different issues such as civil rights, women’s suffrage, other women’s rights like wages, harassment, education, and promotions. The procedures suggested below can be used with grades 3-8 with modification of topic and whether the study is a class group, small group, or individual project.
Procedural How to Ideas:
- Gather a collection of picture book biographies about women who were the first in their field or were leaders in the field. The Related List is a start. All titles on the list have at least three positive reviews.
- Decide whether the lesson is for the class group, small groups or individual projects. Part of the decision may be determined by whether there are enough books for each student to read individually, and the age and experience of the students.
- Biographies are really a study of characterization. The authors relay the story of their subjects’ lives via expression of personalities, traits, and oddities or uniqueness. Use the Inspiration Book above to model how characterization is represented.
- Prepare a chalkboard chart: Author Words, Character Words, Actions, Illustrations
- Read the Inspiration Book aloud and have students note the biographee’s character.
- Add items to the chart.
- Reread the Inspiration Book and have students stop the reading when they have a specific item to add to the chart.
- As a group, write a paragraph describing Elizabeth Blackwell. Optional: If the group is older have each member of the group write a paragraph.
- Have students repeat the above steps in small groups or individually.
- Option 2: Several women have more than one book about them.
- Have small groups of students read different books, then gather together to complete the chart and write a group or individual paragraph.
- Did each book emphasize the same characteristics?
- What part of the woman’s life was emphasized? Did any of the titles repeat an incident?
Related Titles:
••Free as a bird : the story of Malala by Maslo, Lina— Balzer & Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2018. Dewey: 371.822; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.5. A picture book biography of Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, discussing her childhood and her political activism.
The art room by Vande Griek, Susan; illustrated by Milelli, Pascal— Groundwood Books, c2003, p2002. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.8. A fictionalized account of the art classes taught during the early 1900s by the Northwest Coast painter Emily Carr.
Amelia Earhart : aviation pioneer (ABDO Kids Jumbo: History Maker Bios Set 2) by Hansen, Grace— Abdo Kids, a division of ABDO, 2016. Dewey: 629.13; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.2. A brief biography of Amelia Earhart, the female aviator who was the first woman to fly alone across the country. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.
The bus ride that changed history : the story of Rosa Parks by Edwards, Pamela Duncan; illustrated by Shanahan, Danny— Houghton Mifflin, 2005. Dewey: 323; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.2. A cumulative narrative recounting the story of Rosa Parks, an African-American woman who sparked the civil rights movement when she refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, for a white man.
Big machines : the story of Virginia Lee Burton by Rinker, Sherri Duskey; illustrated by Rocco, John— Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017. Dewey: 813; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.4. A picture book that celebrates the life and legacy of American illustrator and children's book author Virginia Lee Burton.
Night flight : Amelia Earhart crosses the Atlantic by Burleigh, Robert— Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2011. Dewey: 629.13; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.4. An account of Amelia Earhart's dangerous 1932 flight across the Atlantic Ocean from Newfoundland to Ireland, in which she survived bad weather and a malfunctioning airplane. Includes a brief biography of the aviator.
The world is not a rectangle : a portrait of architect Zaha Hadid by Winter, Jeanette— Beach Lane Books, 2017. Dewey: 720; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.4. A biography of architect Zaha Hadid, who grew up in Baghdad and went on to design buildings all over the world.
Boycott blues : how Rosa Parks inspired a nation by Pinkney, Andrea Davis; illustrated by Pinkney, J. Brian— Greenwillow Books, 2008. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.5. Uses the form of a blues song to share the story of the year-long bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, sparked by seamstress Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a city bus to a white passenger in 1955, which resulted in a repeal of the Jim Crow segregation laws.
•Frida by Winter, Jonah; illustrated by Juan, Ana— Arthur A. Levine, 2002. Dewey: 759.972; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.5. Illustrations and simple text help chronicle the life of artist Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo, discussing how she learned to paint, how painting saved her life, and why her paintings are so unique.
Helen Keller's best friend Belle by Barry, Holly; illustrated by Thermes, Jennifer— Albert Whitman & Company, 2013. Dewey: 362.4; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.6. A brief biography of Helen Keller that focuses on her relationship with her dogs, particularly one named Belle.
A picture book of Rosa Parks by Adler, David A — Holiday House, 1993. Dewey: 323; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.7. A biography of the Alabama African-American woman whose refusal to give up her seat on a bus helped establish the civil rights movement.
••Brave Jane Austen : reader, writer, author, rebel by Pliscou, Lisa; illustrated by Corace, Jen— Henry Holt and Company, 2018. Dewey: 823; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.8. A picture book biography of English novelist Jane Austen.
•Mae among the stars by Ahmed, Roda; illustrated by Kato, Stasia— Harper, in imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2018. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.8. Little Mae is a girl with big dreams, a supportive loving family, unbounded passion, and all the right stuff to dance among the stars. Against all odds, she will overcome any obstacle to become an astronaut one day.
Amazing champion of the earth Rachel Carson (Amazing Americans) by Wade, Mary Dodson— Enslow Elementary, an imprint of of Enslow Publishers, Inc., 2010. Dewey: 333.95; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. Presents a brief introduction to the life and accomplishments of Rachel Carson, who wrote about why we need to protect the environment; and includes a time line.
••Bloom : a story of fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli by Maclear, Kyo; illustrated by Morstad, Julie— Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2018. Dewey: 746.9; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. An illustrated biography of Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli that explores how she overcame low self-esteem in childhood to become a fashion icon.
I am Amelia Earhart (Ordinary People Change The World by Meltzer, Brad; illustrated by Eliopoulos, Christopher— Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 2014. Dewey: 629.13; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. Presents the life of the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, who mysteriously disappeared in 1937 while attempting to fly around the world.
I am Rosa Parks (Ordinary People Change The World)by Meltzer, Brad; illustrated by Eliopoulos, Chris— Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, 2014. Dewey: 323; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. An illustrated overview of the life of Rosa Parks, focusing on her influence on civil rights.
Back of the bus by Reynolds, Aaron; illustrated by Cooper, Floyd — Philomel Books, 2010. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.2. From the back of the bus, an African American child watches the arrest of Rosa Parks.
Always an Olivia : a remarkable family history by Herron, Carolivia; illustrated by Tugeau, Jeremy— Kar-Ben Pub., 2007. Dewey: 813; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.3. Carol Olivia visits her great-grandmother and learns about her African-American and Jewish ancestry.
The chimpanzee children of Gombe : 50 years with Jane Goodall at Gombe National Park by Goodall, Jane — Minedition, 2014. Dewey: 599.885; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.3. Jane Goodall introduces young readers to some of her favorite chimpanzees living in Gombe National Park, describing their behavior and family life.
Queen of the diamond : the Lizzie Murphy story by McCully, Emily Arnold— Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2015. Dewey: 796.357; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.3. A picture book biography about Lizzie Murphy, the first woman to play in a major league exhibition game and the first person to play on both the New England and American leagues' all-star teams"--Provided by publisher.
Rosa Parks : don't give in! (Defining Moments (Bearport) by Dubowski, Cathy East— Bearport Pub., 2006. Dewey: 323; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 3.4. Presents a short biography of Rosa Parks, and chronicles her childhood in segregated Alabama, her education and association with the NAACP, and her refusal to give up her seat on the bus, which sparked the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott in 1955.
Uncommon traveler : Mary Kingsley in Africa by Brown, Don— Houghton Mifflin, 2000. Dewey: 916.604; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.4. A brief biography of the self-educated nineteenth-century Englishwoman who, after a secluded childhood and youth, traveled alone through unexplored West Africa in 1893 and 1894 and learned much about the area and its inhabitants.
Author : a true story by Lester, Helen— Houghton Mifflin, 1997. Dewey: 813; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.5. Children's author Helen Lester describes her life from age three to adulthood and discusses how she writes.
Me-- Jane by McDonnell, Patrick — Little, Brown, 2011. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.5. Holding her stuffed toy chimpanzee, young Jane Goodall observes nature, reads Tarzan books, and dreams of living in Africa and helping animals. Includes biographical information on the prominent zoologist. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.
Rosa's bus by Kittinger, Jo S; illustrated by Walker, Stephen— Calkins Creek, 2010. Dewey: 323.1196; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.5. Follows the history of the bus Rosa Parks was riding on when she refused to give up her seat to a white man from the streets of Montgomery, Alabama, to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
Zora Hurston and the chinaberry tree by Miller, William; illustrated by Van Wright, Cornelius— Lee & Low Books, 1994. Dewey: 813; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.5. A biography of the writer whose works captured the oral tradition of African-American life in the South. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.
•Frida Kahlo and her animalitos by Brown, Monica; illustrated by Parra, John— North South, 2017. Dewey: 759.972; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.8. Chronicles Frida's life--from her childhood to her rise as one of the world's most influential painters--... and the animals that inspired her along the way.
Annie and Helen by Hopkinson, Deborah; illustrated by Colon, Raulr — Schwartz & Wade Books, 2012. Dewey: 362.4; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.9. Describes the relationship between Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan, and includes excerpts from letters written by Annie about her work with Helen. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.
•Frida Kahlo : the artist who painted herself : by Frieda Fry (Smart About Art) by Frith, Margaret; illustrated by DePaola, Tomie— Grosset & Dunlap, 2003. Dewey: 759.972; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.9. A biography of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, written as a child's school report. Features photos of Kahlo and reproductions of her paintings.
••Alabama spitfire : the story of Harper Lee and To kill a mockingbird by Hegedus, Bethany; illustrated by McGuire, Erin— Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2018. Dewey: 813; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.0. A picture book introduction to the life and work of "To Kill a Mockingbird" author Harper Lee, describing her childhood, schooling, career, award-winning book, and other related topics.
•Astronaut Mae Jemison (STEM Trailblazer Biographies)by Lassieur, Allison— Lerner Publications, 2017. Dewey: 629.45; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.0. A biography of Mae Jemison, the first black woman to serve as a NASA astronaut, discussing her childhood, career as a doctor, and her time in space on the shuttle.
•Maya Lin : artist-architect of light and lines by Harvey, Jeanne Walker; illustrated by Phumiruk, Dow— Henry Holt and Company, 2017. Dewey: 720.92; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.0. Presents the story of Maya Lin, the artist-architect who designed the Vietnam War Memorial
••Ordinary, extraordinary Jane Austen : the story of six novels, three notebooks, a writing box, and one clever girl by Hopkinson, Deborah; illustrated by Leng, Qin— Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2018. Dewey: 823; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.0. A picture book biography of English novelist Jane Austen.
Queen of the Falls by Van Allsburg, Chris— Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011. Dewey: 971.3; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.0. Recounts the stunt performed by sixty-two-year-old retired charm school instructor Annie Edson Taylor, who went over Niagara Falls in a wooden barrel in an effort to gain fame and fortune.
Who says women can't be computer programmers? : the story of Ada Lovelace by Stone, Tanya Lee; illustrated by Priceman, Marjorier — Christy Ottaviano Books, Henry Holt and Company, 2018. Dewey: 510; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.1. Known as 'The Enchantress of Numbers' by many inventors and mathematicians of the 19th century, Ada Lovelace is recognized today as history's first computer programmer. Her work was an inspiration to such famous minds as Charles Babbage and Alan Turing.
The watcher : Jane Goodall's life with the chimps by Winter, Jeanette — Schwartz & Wade Books, 2011. Dewey: 590; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.2. An illustrated biography of British primatologist Jane Goodall, describing her childhood, the years she spent in the African forests to observe chimpanzees, and her efforts to protect and preserve primates and their habitats.
The kid from Diamond Street : the extraordinary story of baseball legend Edith Houghton by Vernick, Audrey; illustrated by Salerno, Steven— Clarion Books, 2016. Dewey: 796.357; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.4. A historical picture book about Edith Houghton, a female baseball phenomenon who joined the professional women's team the Bobbies at the age of 10.
Rosa Parks (Little People, Big Dreams)by Kaiser, Lisbeth; illustrated by Antelo, Marta— Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2017. Dewey: 323; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.4. A brief biography of Rosa Parks, African American civil rights activist.
•The story of Ruby Bridges by Coles, Robert; illustrated by Ford, Georgen — Scholastic, c1995, p2010. Dewey: 379.2; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.4. For months six-year-old Ruby Bridges must confront the hostility of white parents when she becomes the first African American girl to integrate Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960.
••Hidden figures : the true story of four black women and the space race by Shetterly, Margot Lee; illustrated by Freeman, Laura— Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2018. Dewey: 510; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.5. This book brings to life the stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, four African-American women who lived through the civil rights era, the Space Race, the Cold War, and the movement for gender equality, and whose work forever changed the face of NASA and the country.
The tree lady : the true story of how one tree-loving woman changed a city forever by Hopkins, H. Joseph; illustrated by McElmurry, Jill— Beach Lane Books, 2013. Dewey: 635; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.5. An illustrated look at the life of Kate Sessions, who planted a nursery in San Diego, California, after making a deal with the city.
Separate is never equal : Sylvia Mendez & her family's fight for desegregation by Tonatiuh, Duncan— Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2014. Dewey: 379.2; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.7. Years before the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling Brown v. Board of Education, Sylvia Mendez, an eight-year-old girl of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, played an instrumental role in Mendez v. Westminster, the landmark desegregation case of 1946 in California.
Rachel : the story of Rachel Carson by Ehrlich, Amy — Harcourt, c2003 p2008. Dewey: 570; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.8. A biography of Rachel Carson, author of "Silent Spring," which sparked the beginnings of the modern environmental movement.
Helen's big world : the life of Helen Keller (Doreen Rappaport's Big Words Series) by Rappaport, Doreen — Disney/Hyperion Books, 2012. Dewey: 362.4; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.9. An illustrated biography of Helen Keller, introducing young readers to her life and legacy, and including quotations by Keller.
Life in the ocean : the story of oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Nivola, Claire A— Farrar Straus Giroux, 2012. Dewey: 551.46; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.0. A picture book biography of oceanographer Sylvia Earle, discussing her childhood along the Gulf of Mexico, her passion for the environment, and her experiences in ocean exploration.
•Molly, by golly! : the legend of Molly Williams, America's first female firefighter by Ochiltree, Dianne; illustrated by Kemly, Kathleen Hadam— Calkins Creek, 2012. Dewey: -Fic-; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.0. A fictional tale of Molly Williams, the United State's first female firefighter, about how she battled a fire during a blizzard along with New York City's Fire Company Number 11.
•Stone girl bone girl : a story of Mary Anning of Lyme Regis by Anholt, Laurence; illustrated by Moxley, Sheila— Frances Lincoln Children's Books, c1999, p2007. Dewey: 560; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.0. A brief biography of Mary Anning, an English girl whose discovery of an ichthyosaurus skeleton in 1811 when she was twelve, led to a lifelong interest in fossils and other important discoveries.
Rosa by Giovanni, Nikki; illustrated by Collier, Bryan— Holt, 2005. Dewey: 323; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.2. Presents an illustrated account of Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955, and the subsequent bus boycott by the black community.
Miss Moore thought otherwise : how Anne Carroll Moore created libraries for children by Pinborough, Jan — Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2013. Dewey: 020; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.3. Describes how Anne Carroll Moore created libraries for children.
Mary Walker wears the pants : the true story of the doctor, reformer, and Civil War hero by Harness, Cheryl — Albert Whitman, 2013. Dewey: 610; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.5. A biography of Mary Edwards Walker, who shocked people in the last half of the 1800s by wearing men's pants and becoming one of the first women physicians in the United States. During the Civil War, she tended to the wounded on both sides, was given an officer's post, was arrested as a spy, and spent several months in a prison in Atlanta, Georgia. After the war, Mary Walker became the first female recipient of the Medal of Honor.
A picture book of Amelia Earhart by Adler, David A) — Holiday House, 1998. Dewey: 629.13; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.5. Discusses the life of the pilot who was the first woman to cross the Atlantic by herself in a plane.
Louisa : the life of Louisa May Alcott by McDonough, Yona Zeldis; illustrated by Andersen, Bethanne— Henry Holt and Co., 2009. Dewey: 813; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 5.6. A biography of nineteenth-century American author Louisa May Alcott for young readers, discussing her poor but freethinking family, her teaching career, and her lifelong passion for writing.
••No truth without Ruth : the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Krull, Kathleen; illustrated by Zhang, Nancy— Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2018. Dewey: 347.73; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.6. A picture book biography of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second female justice of the Supreme Court, describing how her fight for equality as a lawyer made an imprint on woman's rights and American history.
Rachel Carson and her book that changed the world by Lawlor, Laurie; illustrated by Beingessner, Laura— Holiday House, 2012. Dewey: 570; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.2. Tells the life story of Rachel Carson, a biologist and environmentalist, covering her childhood, her years in college where she changed her career focus, and her most well-known works up until her death.
•The daring Nellie Bly : America's star reporter by Christensen, Bonnie— Dragonfly Books, c2003, p2009. Dewey: 070; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.3. Introduces the life of Nellie Bly who, as a "stunt reporter" for the New York World newspaper in the late 1800s, championed women's rights and traveled around the world faster than anyone ever had.
Teacher Resources:
Classroom Bookshelf has a number of suggestions for using the Inspiration Book in the classroom. I’ve incorporated several of the ideas from CB in this post that have really turned into ideas for Women’s History Month in March. http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2013/05/who-says-women-cant-be-doctors-the-story-of-elizabeth-blackwell/
Then, School Library Journal and its partner, Harper, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, shared a downloadable kit with activities to celebrate Women’s History Month. The idea kit feature Shaking things up : 14 young women who changed the world by Hood, Susan; illustrated by Alko, Selina— Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2018. Dewey: 920.72; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.7. Shares stories of fourteen inspiring young female rebels ... who broke down walls to pursue their interests, talents, and rights. They fought fires, discovered prehistoric animals, circled the globe, braved Nazis, championed sports, changed the way we eat, integrated schools, improved medicine and more. Women included are: Mary Anning, Ruby Bridges, Maya Lin, Molly Williams, Annette Kellerman, Nellie Bly. Pura Belpre, Frida Kahlo, Jacqueline & Eileen Nearne, Frances Moore Lapp, Mae Jemison, Angela Zhang, Malala Yousafzai. Dounloadable teacher guide: http://harperstacksblog.harpercollins.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/NonFictionPicBook_BioKit_Final_REDUCED.pdf Up
The kit also includes two page activity guides (poster, discussion questions, and extension activities) for each new picture book biography titles about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Malala, the Hidden Figures from the adult book of the same title, Harper Lee, Jane Austen and Elsa Schiaparelli. All are listed in the Related List and identified with two **. The women represented in 14 Young… are also represented in the related list with just one *.
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