A Race Around the World by Caroline Starr Rose

A Race Around the World: The True Story of Nellie Bly & Elizabeth Bisland

Written by Caroline Starr Rose; Illustrated by Alexandra Bye

Albert Whitman & Company. 2019

Grades 3 - 8

In the 1880’s Jules Vern’s novel, Around the World in 80 Days took the world by storm. Could a person really travel around the world so quickly like Vern’s character, Phileas Fogg?  Nellie Bly, a reporter for the New York City World thought she could. “After studying steamship and train schedules, she had determined she could travel around the world in seventy-five days - more quickly than Phileas Fogg.” 

Leaving NYC harbor on November 14, 1889, twenty-five year old Nellie Bly, journalist for New York City’s World, started on her journey. The first woman to not only travel around the world, but to do it alone. The world waited to see if this gutsy journalist could accomplish this unimaginable feat.

But this story has a twist. 

Also living in New York City and working as a journalist was twenty-eight year old Elizabeth Bisland, literary editor at Cosmopolitan magazine. Her assignment - leaving from San Francisco seven hours after Nellie departed from New York City harbor, Bisland was racing by train across the United States to make her connection with a ship leaving from San Francisco. Would Bisland be able to beat Nellie’s record? The whole world waited to find out. 

Both women traveled roughly 28,000 miles. 

Nellie made it in 72 days, 6 hours, 11 minutes, and 14 seconds. A huge crowd and a ten-cannon salute greeted her return.

And, what about Elizabeth? Her trip took 76 days. There was no fanfare or cannon salute. She came in second.

Nellie is remembered to this day for her pluck; Elizabeth is largely forgotten.

Both women accomplished something no one had ever done before.

Bye’s colorful full-page illustrations enhance the excitement of the writing.

Back matter includes an author’s note, and selected sources.

Share this with students of all ages.

To review this book, the publisher sent me an Uncorrected Proof of this book.