Calling all to Vote!

There is no denying (or escaping) that we are nearing election time!  Studying elections are an important part of the social studies standards.  What children don't always remember is that not everyone has had the right to vote.  I remember my grandmother talking about how women gained the right to vote when she was young.  Today, I would like to share with you two new books I read this summer that share with the readers what it took for some people to get a right to vote.  These books would be wonderful additions to your read aloud time this fall and/or independent reading for upper elementary and middle school students.

Elizabeth Started All the TROUBLE by Doreen Rappaport
Accelerated Reading Level:  5.0

This book opens with John Adam's wife, Abigail, receiving a letter about how he was working on gaining independence for the colonists and the new laws they were developing.  Abigail "warned John that if women were not remembered, they would start their own revolution."  John thought that was a joke.  But Abigail and generations of other women did not.  75 years later, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott and their spouses traveled to England.  They were fighting to end slavery.  Unfortunately, Elizabeth and Lucretia were not permitted into the meeting simply because they were women.  They found it ironic that they were fighting for new rights and freedom for other who were oppressed, but they themselves had little or no rights.  Eight years later, Elizabeth and Lucretia met with three other friends and started discussing women's rights.  They created their own Declaration of Independence and started traveling and speaking to others about their declaration.  Elizabeth's father thought she was crazy.  Newspapers mocked her.  But she kept on speaking up and recruiting others.  The suffrage movement had started.  Elizabeth became friends with Susan B. Anthony, and together with others on "the Suffrage Express."  Eventually, Elizabeth turned the movement over to Susan B. Anthony so she could stay at home to care for her children.

While this book is long, it covers many important historical topics but with language students can understand.  At the end of the book, the author included mini-biographies of all the trailblazers, a timeline and various resources for the readers to explore these women and topic in greater details.  Many of the women mentioned, were new to me and I would like to find out more about them in the future.  Excellent reading as we are once again approaching a historical election.

"Lillian's Right to Vote" by Jonah Winter
Accelerated Reading Level:  5.6

In this incredible book, 100 year old Lillian is walking to the polls to vote.  As she passes others, she asks if they are going to vote.  She tells them that they better vote.  Lillian knows what a precious gift voting is.  As she walks up a difficult hill, she recounts the stories of all those that fought unjust laws meant to keep the African American community enslaved and from voting.  She remembers the discrimination and injustices her family struggled with throughout the years.  It is a powerful, meaningful book that can help children understand the need to continue to fight current injustices and improve our world.

This book was inspired by Lillian Allen, a granddaughter of a slave.  Once again, the illustrations are remarkable effectively and help evoke strong emotions from the readers.  The author at  the end of the book includes additional information on the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 2013 Supreme Court decision that weakened that law.  We must, as a society, continue to protect our right to vote for ALL!  While this book is meant for students grades 1-6, in my humble opinion, it may be too much for first graders.  However, I will be sharing this with my second graders.  Please consider reading this inspiring history lesson and share it with others.

While this blog is not meant to be political, I need to stand with Lillian and others:  Please never, ever, forget to vote and encourage others to vote.  Continue to fight unjust laws and improve this country.  We have come a long way, but there is much to be done to improve it.  Thank you.