Module 12 Julia Morgan Built a Castle

Mannis, Celeste Davidson, and Miles Hyman. Julia Morgan Built A Castle. 1st ed. New York NY: Viking Adult, 2006. Print.

This picture book by Celeste Mannis tells the story of Julia Morgan who grew up at the turn of the century and followed her dream of becoming one of the first female architects studying at UC Berkley and then pioneered the way as the first female graduate of Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Many of her buildings still stand today even despite the San Fransisco earthquake of 1906. Later in her career Julia was approached by William Randolph Hearst to build the famous Hearst Castle San Simeon which is her crowning glory.

I truly enjoyed this biographic picture book for its artwork, subject matter and simplistic flow. Geared towards younger children it shows a strong female character who made bold strides towards women’s equality in engineering and architecture – beforehand stereotyped as a masculine field. I would showcase this book in a display during career interest week or highlight it in a group about persons who dreamed and achieved their goals.

Review:

Pfeifer, Teresa. "Julia Morgan Built a Castle." School Library Journal 52.11 (2006): n. pag. Web. 8 May 2011.

Grade 1-5–This picture book is a wonderful way to introduce young readers to a groundbreaking female architect. Luminescent illustrations, created using soft pastels and pencils in a golden-peach palette, appear to glow with the light of California and France, both seminal locations in Morgan's life. Informed by architecture, the paintings evoke Cézanne's attention to form: the folds of dresses, the curve of a mountain, a shadow over a hat. The opening spread shows a youngster constructing a geometric sandcastle while the text quietly states: Julia Morgan loved to build. The book highlights other significant moments: young Julia visiting construction sites with her engineer father; being the only woman in her engineering class at UC Berkeley in the 1890s; her pride at receiving a certificate in architecture from Paris's École des Beaux-Arts; her return to San Francisco and early career. The last half of the book is devoted to the construction of William Randolph Hearst's San Simeon. Mannis points out that Morgan's creations are solidly built and noted for their enduring beauty. Filled with rich vocabulary, the narrative employs scrumptious architectural terms such as Baroque, flying buttresses, and teakwood cornice. An inspiring tale and encouragement for someday builders.