This is a historical fiction book about women's suffrage in the United States. Susan Elizabeth's Mama explains to her that women are "in chains." "'We are half the population of this great nation, yet we haven't any say in how it's run. That's why we want the vote!'" Mama is a great activist for the women's campaign, marching and protesting outside of the White House even though President Wilson refuses to acknowledge her. Susan Elizabeth at first does not understand the cause, thinking it is just women wearing pretty colors so they can smoke cigars at a voting precinct with the men. Susan Elizabeth's father doesn't understand either. "'Women were meant to be an ornametn to man, and to comfort him after his labors,'" he tells his daughter.
The campaign is such a long one that we get the chance to see Susan Elizabeth grow as a character. When her mother is arrested for protesting, the young girl takes action herself. She makes her own sign and goes to stand outside the White House where her mother left off. It was great to see her development thoughout the book, and it really drove home the idea that individual people can make a difference.
This is another book I could see reading in a social studies context. It is historically accurate, yet fictionalized so as to give students characters with whom they can develop a personal connection. It also zooms in a topic that is very broad: women getting the vote. The students would be able to see how impassioned one family became over the issue, which gives them the chance to become impassioned about it as well.
And the whole time the song "Votes for Women!" from Mary Poppins was playing in my head. I could see Mrs. Banks wearing her sash, her hands stuffed inside a muff, dancing around their living room singing a song I had never understood when I was younger. Aha.
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