NONFICTION

The Voice That Won the Vote: How One Woman’s Words Made History

by Elisa Boxer (text) & ­illus. by Vivien Mildenberger
Sleeping Bear. Mar. 2020. 32p. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781534110496.
COPY ISBN
Gr 1-5–Engaging cartoon illustrations and snappy text make this story about women’s suffrage perfect for very young children. The familiar heroines of the movement (Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul) are included only in a time line, as the book’s main characters are Harry Burn, a little-known lawmaker, and Febb Burn, his mother. In August of 1920, American women looked to Tennessee, hoping it would become the necessary 36th state to ratify the 19th amendment. But the first round of voting resulted in a tie. When Representative Burn changed his vote, he changed history. Although Burn knew that breaking the tie would jeopardize his chance at state reelection, he was determined to follow his conscience (and the advice of his mother).
VERDICT A most suitable lesson for our time. Author Boxer and illustrator Mildenberger offer a concise look at a lesser-known player who contributed to a significant part of American history.
Reviewed by ­Gloria Koster, formerly at West School, New ­Canaan, CT , Mar 01, 2020

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