Christopher Moning (Children's Literature)
This is the autobiography of Nancy Mace, who in 1999 became the first female graduate of The Citadel Military Academy, in Charleston, South Carolina. After the courts ordered "El Cid," as it is known, to open its doors to women, Nancy Mace, along with three other females, was admitted to the storied institution in 1996. For three years she endured a grueling schedule of academic, physical and military training. The book emphasizes Ms. Mace's first year as a "knob," the term for first year students, named for the required short haircuts. In addition to a strenuous day to day schedule, Ms. Mace had to brave good natured ribbing as well as flat out cruelty because of her sex. Not only was she able to succeed where many young men have failed, she was able to excel, graduating with honors. For any young person, male or female, who might be thinking, "I can't do that," the achievements of Nancy Mace should serve as an inspiration of what one can accomplish with courage and determination. An Appendix is included, containing memorabilia and correspondence from Ms. Mace's Citadel years. 2001, Simon & Schuster, $18.00. Ages 12 up.

Elizabeth Bush (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, December 2001 (Vol. 55, No. 4))
Mace, the first woman to complete her academic program at The Citadel, recounts her always challenging and often harrowing experiences at the South Carolina military college, from which she graduated in 1999. Her love/hate relationship with the institution and its enrollees is always at the forefront, and raw nerves, wounded pride, and a huge measure of residual adolescent angst often get the better of coherence. Readers learn much about her (possibly unrequited) devotion to her brigadier-general father, her roommate problems, her battles with depression and ADD; they learn almost nothing about the nature and settlement of a sexual-harassment lawsuit by two of her female classmates, Mace’s romance with the classmate she married right after graduation, or specifics of her involvement in the many committees that addressed issues of female adjustment to The Citadel and Citadel adjustment to females. While Mace rails on about the honor inherent in Citadel tradition, she seems oblivious (as readers are unlikely to be) to the irony of her very dishonorable treatment at events such as Ring Ceremony, at which she was publicly hissed. In the end, Mace succeeds in telling us more about Mace than about The Citadel, but for readers who crave an emotional thrill ride, her tale delivers. An appendix of Citadel and Mace miscellanea is appended, and black-and-white photos of seemingly happy, well-adjusted corps member Mace are included. Review Code: Ad -- Additional book of acceptable quality for collections needing more material in the area. (c) Copyright 2001, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2001, Simon, 238p, $18.00. Grades 6-10.

Linda Roberts (VOYA, December 2001 (Vol. 24, No. 5))
Although Shannon Faulkner paved the way under court order for women to attend the Citadel, the formerly all-male military academy in Charleston, South Carolina, author Mace was the first woman to actually graduate in 1995. Mace possessed all of the attributes one might consider necessary to her success in the military--she is the daughter of a highly decorated brigadier-general, himself an alumnus of the Citadel; is the sister of two women who are West Point graduates; is a superb athlete; and possesses a fierce sense of independence and competitiveness. Nevertheless she had to work harder and be better at everything just to be accepted even at the most basic level. Mace's story of her three years at the Citadel is riveting. Her portrayal of the rigorous physical and mental expectations at a military academy leave the reader almost exhausted. Mace spends about three-quarters of the book describing her first year, in which cadets are treated as almost subhuman. Readers unfamiliar with military tradition will find this book intriguing. Black-and-white photos illustrate life at the academy. The appendix includes letters and e-mails that Mace sent to her family as well as orientation documents, schedules, lists of supplies, and a layout of her dorm room. Written informally in the first person, this book will draw readers in immediately. Teens of any age will enjoy the story. Those teens interested in attending a military college definitely should pick it up. Pair this book with Amy Efaw's fictional account of life for women at West Point, Battle Dress (HarperCollins, 2000/VOYA October 2000). Illus. Photos. Appendix. VOYA CODES: 4Q 5P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2001, Simon & Schuster, 240p, $18. Ages 11 to 18.