Children’s Books to Celebrate the Centennial of the 19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment, which empowered women’s suffrage (although Black women were often denied the right to vote) celebrated its 100th anniversary last month. With the U.S. Presidential election coming up, it is not too late celebrate this historic achievement. Here are some books you can offer relating to the 19th Amendment:
Bartoletti, Susan. How Women Won the Vote: Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, and Their Big Idea. Harper, 2020, grades 2-5. This illustrated history book is filled with photos and describes the suffrage work from 1910 until the 19th Amendment passed in 1920.
Bausum, Ann. With Courage and Cloth: Winning the Fight for a Woman’s Right to Vote. National Geographic, 2004, grades 6-12. Focusing on the decade before women won the vote, this will help teens learn about Alice Paul and Carrie Chapman Catt.
Chambers, Veronica. Finish the Fight! The Brave and Revolutionary Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote. Versify, 2020, grades 5-8. Along with well-known white suffrage leaders, women of color who fought for the right to vote are celebrated in this informative book.
Conkling, Winifred. Votes for Women: American Suffragists and the Battle for the Ballot. Algonquin,2018, grades 6-12. A comprehensive history of women earning the vote, beginning in 1848.
Cronin, Doreen. Duck for President. Simon & Schuster, 2004, grades Preschool-3. In this hilarious picture book, a duck is tired of farming and runs for President.
Dionne, Evette. Lifting as We Climb: Black Women’s Battle for the Ballot Box. Viking, 2020, grades 5-8. This engaging history shows how Black women had to fight both men and white women who tried to exclude them from voting.
DiPucchio, Kelly S. Grace for President (2008) and Grace Goes to Washington. Disney-Hyperion, 2019, grades K-3.
Grace, who appears to be African American, runs for class president in Grace for President. In the sequel, she learns about the Electoral College. This picture book series will empower girls to be leaders, and help children understand the issue with the Electoral College.
Gillibrand, Kirsten. Bold & Brave: Ten Heroes Who Won Women the Right to Vote. Knopf, 2018, grades 2-5. Senator Gillibrand offers two-page biographies of ten women fundamental to the suffrage movement, including Alice Paul, Mary Church Terrell, and Lucy Burns.
Hannigan, Kate. A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women’s Rights. Calkins Creek, 2018, grades K-3. The first woman lawyer to appear before the Supreme Court is celebrated in this picture book biography that also details her run for U.S. President.
Lewis, John L. March (Parts 1, 2, 3). Top Shelf, 2013-2016, grades 6-12. Great to recommend to middle and high schoolers, John Lewis’s three-part graphic novel series describes his work in the U.S. Civil Rights movement and efforts to register Black voters.
McCully, Emily Arnold. The Ballot Box Battle. Dragonfly, 1996, grades K-5. In this picture book based on fact, a young girl is inspired by her neighbor Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
Murphy, Claire Rudolf. Marching with Aunt Susan: Susan B. Anthony and the Fight for Women’s Suffrage. Peachtree, 2011, grades 1-5. Bessie helps her mother host a tea for suffrage legend Susan B. Anthony in San Francisco in 1896. Based on a true story.
Rockliff, Mara. Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles. Candlewick, 2016, grades Preschool-3. In 1916, two women drove across the U.S. to advocate for the 19th Amendment; this picture book is based on an actual event. Great to read-aloud to a wide age range.
Stone, Tanya Lee. Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote. Holt, 2008, grades K-5. A picture book biography of noted suffragist Stanton.
Weiss, Elaine F. The Woman’s Hour: Our Fight for the Right to Vote. Random House, 2020, grades 4-8. This lively history focuses on the decade before the 19th Amendment passed.
Winter, Jonah. Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Schwartz and Wade, 2015, grades 1-4. Lillian is excited to be able to vote for the first time at age 100; she lives in Alabama where the Voting Rights Act of 1965 finally allows African Americans to vote.
Zimet, Susan. Roses and Radicals: The Epic Story of How American Women Won the Right to Vote. Viking, 2018, grades 5-8. A comprehensive history of the struggle to earn women the right to vote in the U.S.
Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool
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