Susan B. Anthony: Daring to Vote

Children's Literature - Children's Literature

Much more than a simple biography, Parker's rendition of Anthony's life is a dramatic telling of a pivotal player in the temperance, abolitionist, and women's rights movements. A quick read, this book highlights the key events in the life of this daring female of the late 1800s. Hitting on Anthony's early days, the author paints the environment in which Anthony is raised and illustrates how this upbringing drives her to stand up for equal rights. Readers learn about the various individuals in Anthony's life who played a large role in her shaping. The author does an excellent job at re-creating history by including facts, photographs, quotes, a timeline, additional short biographies, and perspectives of that era. Though Susan B. Anthony would not live to see the day in which women were granted the right to vote, Anthony understood her role in this movement and her dedication to the cause laid the ground work for the inevitable success in the women's rights movement. This commitment provides a great lesson in persistence and hard work that is pertinent today. This biography of Susan B. Anthony is a must-read and serves as an inspiration to fight for what you believe in. 1998, The Millbrook Press Inc., Ages 8 to 12, $21.90 and $8.95. Reviewer: Melinda Tierney

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-Written clearly and illustrated with period photographs, drawings, and editorial cartoons reproduced in black and white and full color, this book provides a basic overview of Anthony's life. Opening with the 1872 episode of Anthony voting and then being arrested and tried, Parker then goes back to her subject's early life to explain why she felt such passion about women getting the right to vote. Backmatter includes brief biographical notes on other leading advocates of women's rights, places to visit, and a time line. Fictionalized dialogue appears throughout the book, as do passages that appear to be quotes because they are indented. No source notes are given in either case. The facts are all here, but the passion is lacking.-Jane Claes, T. J. Lee Elementary School, Irving, TX