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Granddaddy's Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box
Based on the true story of one family's struggle for voting rights in the civil rights-era South, this moving tale shines an emotional spotlight on a dark facet of U.S. history.
Life on the farm with Granddaddy is full of hard work, but despite all the chores, Granddaddy always makes time for play, especially fishing trips. Even when there isn't a bite to catch, he reminds young Michael that it takes patience to get what's coming to you. One morning, when Granddaddy heads into town in his fancy suit, Michael knows that something very special must be happening--and sure enough, everyone is lined up at the town hall! For the very first time, Granddaddy is allowed to vote, and he couldn't be more proud. But can Michael be patient when it seems that justice just can't come soon enough? This powerful and touching true-life story shares one boy's perspective of growing up in the segregated South, while beautiful illustrations depict the rural setting in tender detail.
Life on the farm with Granddaddy is full of hard work, but despite all the chores, Granddaddy always makes time for play, especially fishing trips. Even when there isn't a bite to catch, he reminds young Michael that it takes patience to get what's coming to you. One morning, when Granddaddy heads into town in his fancy suit, Michael knows that something very special must be happening--and sure enough, everyone is lined up at the town hall! For the very first time, Granddaddy is allowed to vote, and he couldn't be more proud. But can Michael be patient when it seems that justice just can't come soon enough? This powerful and touching true-life story shares one boy's perspective of growing up in the segregated South, while beautiful illustrations depict the rural setting in tender detail.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2015
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About the author
Michael S. Bandy
3 books12 followersMichael S. Bandy caught the writing bug when his third-grade teacher surprised him with a set of Dr. Seuss books. He’s been writing plays, screenplays, and books ever since. He lives in Los Angeles and is involved in a number of children’s charities.
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September 3, 2015 Don't worry, Granddaddy, I'll vote for you one day.
A man takes his grandson with him into town for his first time voting. Instead of it being a joyous day, since the Voting Rights Act was passed, he is turned away by the deputy. When the grandson gets older, he casts his vote in honor of his grandfather.
The story was okay. I too, vote in honor of my ancestors. If you want a picture book about voting, I would recommend Papa's Mark by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert.
A man takes his grandson with him into town for his first time voting. Instead of it being a joyous day, since the Voting Rights Act was passed, he is turned away by the deputy. When the grandson gets older, he casts his vote in honor of his grandfather.
The story was okay. I too, vote in honor of my ancestors. If you want a picture book about voting, I would recommend Papa's Mark by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert.
May 23, 2016
This is wonderful! A young boy works alongside his granddaddy on the farm. They work hard but they also find time to fish and enjoy each other's company. Then one day, granddaddy takes him to town so granddaddy can vote. He is so proud. No one in their family has been allowed to vote before. But after he receives his ballot, he is told he must read complex text and when he can't, his ballot is taken away and torn up. It is heart-rending. But it teaches the grandson the importance of voting and when he grows up, he proudly carries his granddaddy's photo along as he goes to vote.
The illustrations are simply gorgeous and full of emotion. The combination of illustration and text brought tears to my eyes. This is a powerfully written book about a turbulent time in our country's history.
The illustrations are simply gorgeous and full of emotion. The combination of illustration and text brought tears to my eyes. This is a powerfully written book about a turbulent time in our country's history.
September 20, 2020
Based on the events that transpired in the South, this is a powerful story about a grandson watching his grandfather being denied the right to vote. The large detailed watercolors capture the time period, including the Confederate flag flying on the courthouse and his grandfather being addressed as "uncle" instead of by name. This will be a useful picture book to introduce the Civil Rights movement and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The ending is particularly poignant and will inspire discussion.
November 3, 2015
This is a fine example of the excellent storytelling shared by both the text and the images. I often wish that virtual experiences could place younger people back into the time and space of the civil rights movement, because the experience was SO different from current protests and movements. Yes, there are common patterns, but the level of powerlessness and danger that surrounded any raised voice in those times is nearly inconceivable to modern sensibilities. But books like this one come as close to recreating that era if history as anything I can imagine.
Illustrations by James E. Ransome turn any book into a winner, in my opinion, including titles like Freedom's School, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, and (my personal favorite) THE WAGON. Here again he rises about his expresssive art to visual narratives that carry readers deep into the hearts of their characters portrayed.
Pair this powerful title with THE DAY GOGO WENT TO VOTE: SOUTH AFRICA, 1994 by Elinor Batezat, Sisulu (Sharon Wilson, ill) and LILLIAN'S RIGHT TO VOTE by Jonah Winter (Shane W. Evans, ill).
Illustrations by James E. Ransome turn any book into a winner, in my opinion, including titles like Freedom's School, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, and (my personal favorite) THE WAGON. Here again he rises about his expresssive art to visual narratives that carry readers deep into the hearts of their characters portrayed.
Pair this powerful title with THE DAY GOGO WENT TO VOTE: SOUTH AFRICA, 1994 by Elinor Batezat, Sisulu (Sharon Wilson, ill) and LILLIAN'S RIGHT TO VOTE by Jonah Winter (Shane W. Evans, ill).
September 12, 2015
I disliked this book. A multicultral story of a young boy recounting his grandfather's desire and struggle to vote for the first time, only to be turned away from the ballot box. There is no justified anger or frustration in this book. It ends on a note that everything has been fixed with voting rights as the grandson remembers his grandfather on voting day. It seems like a feel good book for white children.
February 14, 2016
The writing team that gave us the book White Water about segregation in the Jim Crow era in the South returns with a look at voting rights in that era in this book subtitled: “A Journey to the Ballot Box.”
As the authors contend in an Afterword, voting rights were “the last vestige of resistance” in the struggle for civil rights for African Americans. Thus, “politically sanctioned nullification of voter rights was commonplace in Alabama and many other southern states.” [The authors aver that the worst of tactics to deter “undesirable” voters ended with the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Alas, they do not add that on June 25, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a key provision of the Voting Rights Act in its ruling on the voting rights case Shelby County v. Holder, with the Court removing a critical tool to combat racial discrimination in voting. Immediately afterwards, southern states implemented new restrictive laws that were previously blocked. You can read more about how Shelby County v. Holder has adversely affected voting patterns here.]
But this story at least gives you a view of what black citizens endured before the 1965 federal legislation.
A little boy named Michael, who is narrating, lives and works on a farm with his grandparents.
One morning Granddaddy got all dressed up and took the boy with him for a special occasion: the grandfather intended to vote for the first time.
The grandfather was prevented from voting however when he could not pass a literacy test; the white deputy overseeing the voting tore up the grandfather’s ballot and threw it on the ground.
The boy’s grandfather died before he ever got a chance to vote. But the grandson vowed to vote for him one day. In 1976 he got his chance, and as he put his ballot in the box, he smiled and said to himself:
“Now it’s Granddaddy’s turn.”
The grandfather’s patience, dignity, and optimism are contrasted with the cruelty and contempt of the whites not only in words, but also by virtue of the nuanced watercolors by talented illustrator James E. Ransome. Ransome's use of warm tones ably convey the love and warmth this family shares, with facial expressions that speak volumes. Ransome is also known for the amount of research he puts into his historical depictions, and once again does not disappoint in his evocation of this time period.
Evaluation: This is a very touching and inspirational story. It was marred for me only by the fact that the “happy ending” of the book no longer fully obtains in real life.
As the authors contend in an Afterword, voting rights were “the last vestige of resistance” in the struggle for civil rights for African Americans. Thus, “politically sanctioned nullification of voter rights was commonplace in Alabama and many other southern states.” [The authors aver that the worst of tactics to deter “undesirable” voters ended with the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Alas, they do not add that on June 25, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a key provision of the Voting Rights Act in its ruling on the voting rights case Shelby County v. Holder, with the Court removing a critical tool to combat racial discrimination in voting. Immediately afterwards, southern states implemented new restrictive laws that were previously blocked. You can read more about how Shelby County v. Holder has adversely affected voting patterns here.]
But this story at least gives you a view of what black citizens endured before the 1965 federal legislation.
A little boy named Michael, who is narrating, lives and works on a farm with his grandparents.
One morning Granddaddy got all dressed up and took the boy with him for a special occasion: the grandfather intended to vote for the first time.
The grandfather was prevented from voting however when he could not pass a literacy test; the white deputy overseeing the voting tore up the grandfather’s ballot and threw it on the ground.
The boy’s grandfather died before he ever got a chance to vote. But the grandson vowed to vote for him one day. In 1976 he got his chance, and as he put his ballot in the box, he smiled and said to himself:
“Now it’s Granddaddy’s turn.”
The grandfather’s patience, dignity, and optimism are contrasted with the cruelty and contempt of the whites not only in words, but also by virtue of the nuanced watercolors by talented illustrator James E. Ransome. Ransome's use of warm tones ably convey the love and warmth this family shares, with facial expressions that speak volumes. Ransome is also known for the amount of research he puts into his historical depictions, and once again does not disappoint in his evocation of this time period.
Evaluation: This is a very touching and inspirational story. It was marred for me only by the fact that the “happy ending” of the book no longer fully obtains in real life.
April 23, 2018
The book Granddaddy's Turn is a historical fiction book that demonstrates how difficult it was for African Americans even after they started to gain more rights.The specific right that is discussed in this book is the right to vote.The book starts by a young boy by the name of Michael introducing his Grandaddy and the relationship that they share. Granddaddy is a hard working man who always told his grandson “it takes patience to get what's coming to you.” One day the pair put on their nice suits and head towards town hall. This year was the first year African Americans had the “right” to vote. Michael would soon learn why his Granddaddy always told him “it takes patience to get what's coming to you.”In this story Micheal learns that patience is a virtue and how important it is to carry out our civic duties.
I would use this is any grade third through fifth. One way we as educators could use this book in the classroom is to discuss the civil rights movement. There were many laws that were put into place during the civil rights movement that did not necessarily make it 100% possible for African Americans to have equal rights. I would also use this book in my classroom to discuss the importance of taking our civic duties such as voting seriously. It is a privilege to be able to exercise our right to vote. In many countries certain people don't have the right to vote, just like how the United States was before the civil rights movement.
This book was a wow book for me because it was a great demonstration of how difficult it was to be an African American during these times without getting too violent. A lot of the times when we here of the Civil Rights Movement we hear of violence and belligerent name calling, while I understand this was the reality, it is not appropriate for the age we are targeting. Another reason this book was a wow book for me was the multiple connections to social studies that you could make. To me a wow book is a book that can reach across multiple content standards and leaves room for many different discussions. This book also can lead toward group discussions that may not always be easy but your students can benefit greatly from.
I would use this is any grade third through fifth. One way we as educators could use this book in the classroom is to discuss the civil rights movement. There were many laws that were put into place during the civil rights movement that did not necessarily make it 100% possible for African Americans to have equal rights. I would also use this book in my classroom to discuss the importance of taking our civic duties such as voting seriously. It is a privilege to be able to exercise our right to vote. In many countries certain people don't have the right to vote, just like how the United States was before the civil rights movement.
This book was a wow book for me because it was a great demonstration of how difficult it was to be an African American during these times without getting too violent. A lot of the times when we here of the Civil Rights Movement we hear of violence and belligerent name calling, while I understand this was the reality, it is not appropriate for the age we are targeting. Another reason this book was a wow book for me was the multiple connections to social studies that you could make. To me a wow book is a book that can reach across multiple content standards and leaves room for many different discussions. This book also can lead toward group discussions that may not always be easy but your students can benefit greatly from.
July 24, 2015
A young boy accompanies his grandfather to Town Hall where his grandfather attempts to cast his first vote in an election! The pair prepare for the moment by dressing their best and bringing a camera to document the moment only to be turned away when Grandfather is unable to pass the literacy test.
Years later, the young boy remembers his grandfather as he casts his first vote in an election.
An author's note follows the story and explains the history behind the true story.
This is an excellent book to introduce Civil Rights-themed discussions with children. The story is told through the young boy's point of view and he takes a moment here or there to help the reader understand the world as he sees (i.e. when the boy's grandfather is addressed by a name other than his Christian name etc).
Watercolor illustrations in a warm color palette give the story a hazy memory quality, which fits the tone of this story very nicely.
Highly recommended for grades 3-5+, especially during Black History Month.
Years later, the young boy remembers his grandfather as he casts his first vote in an election.
An author's note follows the story and explains the history behind the true story.
This is an excellent book to introduce Civil Rights-themed discussions with children. The story is told through the young boy's point of view and he takes a moment here or there to help the reader understand the world as he sees (i.e. when the boy's grandfather is addressed by a name other than his Christian name etc).
Watercolor illustrations in a warm color palette give the story a hazy memory quality, which fits the tone of this story very nicely.
Highly recommended for grades 3-5+, especially during Black History Month.
September 10, 2015
Young Michael talks about his granddaddy with love, even though he had to work hard at all the chores on the farm where they live. There is the sweetest picture too of both of them having fun sitting on a dock fishing. One day, not Sunday, Michael saw that his granddaddy was dressed like he was going to church, and wondered where they were going. As Granddaddy said to him often, “Patience, son, patience.” It was an exciting day, for this was the day that Granddaddy planned to vote for his first time. Sadly, it didn’t work that way. Like others treated during that time, Michael tells of the man who tried to get his granddaddy to take a reading test, and he couldn’t read. The story ends with joy, though somewhat bittersweet, with Michael grown, voting for his granddaddy, who never got to vote. There is a short piece at the end explaining about ways in the past that disenfranchised people, most of whom were African-Americans, and about the Voting Rights Act, passed in 1965. The pictures fill the pages with Michael’s happy life, and the sad time he never forgot.
February 22, 2016
Michael and his granddaddy do all kinds of things together on their farm, like chores and fishing. One day, his grandfather puts on his church suit, and takes Michael for a long walk, without telling him where. What a surprise when they end up at the town hall. It's voting day and granddaddy will be the first in their family to cast a ballot and couldn't be prouder. Standing in line for a long, long time because other [white] voters cut in ahead of them, granddaddy has to remind Michael to have patience, "Takes patience to get what you've got coming to you." But when it is finally granddaddy's turn to vote, the deputy tells him he cannot vote because he can't read. The look of disappointment on his grandfather's face prompts Michael to promise that someday he would vote for him, a promise he keeps. The realistic watercolor illustrations by James E. Ransome add so much to this emotional story, that shows the prejudices and the practices that prevented African American men from exercising their right to vote.
July 15, 2015
Wahhhh. This book probably would have made me cry if someone hadn't been standing directly over my shoulder as I read it. Still, it was hard to hold in. This book makes you super happy, then super sad and then content. I suggest reading it slowly. It carried a powerful message that is delivered just as powerfully. You can really feel the emotions that are presented. A great read.
February 29, 2016
Granddaddy is so proud to finally be able to vote, but he is turned away unfairly. I am absolutely PSYCHED to use this book next fall to talk about the importance of voting, and introducing our mock election we'll do in November of 2016.
March 14, 2017
I've read this book out loud ten times, and every single time I get teary at the end. A perfectly paced, moving story that gently introduces the deep wrongs perpetrated during the implementation of the firings rights act.
January 15, 2016
A young man tells the tale of his granddaddy attempting to vote for the first time during a period of America’s history when that right was not guaranteed and often suppressed.
Reviewer #9
Reviewer #9
October 2, 2016
A beautiful story with a clear voice. Illustrations are large, light-filled and beautiful.
August 10, 2022
This heart-wrenching picture book follows a young boy as he accompanies his grandfather to vote for the first time. With stunning illustrations and historical accuracy, it helps the reader feel a sense of pride and responsibility around the privilege that is voting.
The relationship between the grandfather and grandson is a great example of a loving relationship and could be compared to other books. This is technically historical fiction because it has been so long since the events occurred, and that would be a great lesson for students of all ages.
This would tie in nicely to themes of justice. For fifth grade, reach for Reading it would fit well with Unit 4 on justice. It would also be a great read around Election Day. A teacher could use this book to help students understand that voting is a privilege and then work to let the class learn more about elections. Upper elementary students could use this for critical literacy.
The relationship between the grandfather and grandson is a great example of a loving relationship and could be compared to other books. This is technically historical fiction because it has been so long since the events occurred, and that would be a great lesson for students of all ages.
This would tie in nicely to themes of justice. For fifth grade, reach for Reading it would fit well with Unit 4 on justice. It would also be a great read around Election Day. A teacher could use this book to help students understand that voting is a privilege and then work to let the class learn more about elections. Upper elementary students could use this for critical literacy.
April 15, 2020
Text to Self Connection
I first got excited about this book, and after reading it I was actually upset. I thought the book would be about the first time an African American got to vote. In the story the grandfather had brought his grandson with him to watch history happen. Unfortunately, he was turned away because he could not read. On a personal note, I always take my daughters with me to vote to express the importance of voting and for them to know that they need to take action. A few times I have been turned away, but it was only because there was nothing to vote for (we live near the city line and sometimes it can be hard to tell if it is a city issue or a county issue so I just always just show up).
I first got excited about this book, and after reading it I was actually upset. I thought the book would be about the first time an African American got to vote. In the story the grandfather had brought his grandson with him to watch history happen. Unfortunately, he was turned away because he could not read. On a personal note, I always take my daughters with me to vote to express the importance of voting and for them to know that they need to take action. A few times I have been turned away, but it was only because there was nothing to vote for (we live near the city line and sometimes it can be hard to tell if it is a city issue or a county issue so I just always just show up).
March 9, 2019
Listed on the National Council of Social Studies Notable Trade Books for Young People, this book follows the story of a young boy and his grandfather as his grandfather attempts to vote for the first time in the Jim Crow South. Though his grandfather is denied the right to vote because he can't read, his grandson is able to witness first hand the importance of his right and later is able to vote with a picture of his grandfather when he becomes of age.
This book is ideal for younger students, kindergarten through third grade. It would be a perfect addition to African American history month or a unit on Civil Rights. It also could be read to compared to Lillian's Right to Vote and young readers could compare and contrast Lillian and the grandfather's journey to vote.
This book is ideal for younger students, kindergarten through third grade. It would be a perfect addition to African American history month or a unit on Civil Rights. It also could be read to compared to Lillian's Right to Vote and young readers could compare and contrast Lillian and the grandfather's journey to vote.
March 18, 2016
Link to Digital Promotion https://youtu.be/JH5VEifAKPo
Permission Granted & Shared with author (via Twitter) and illustrator (via email)
It is a fascinating story about a man’s struggle to vote. Granddaddy is a hardworking, caring and extremely patient man. He instilled these values into this grandson as you hear him repeatedly say, “Patience, son, patience.” Granddaddy was excited and dressed in his Sunday’s best to cast his first vote. They walked for miles and then had to wait in line for hours sometimes people would cut in front of them. When Granddaddy reached the front of the line something happens and Granddaddy leaves with “tears in his eyes.” The grandson never gave up hope and took Granddaddy’s photo with him when his “day finally came.” Great artwork with a synopsis of the Civil Rights Movement at the end of the story is informative.
The narrator, a young boy, lives with his grandparent’s farm in the 1950s. They head to town to vote. Granddaddy is turned away after failing a phony literacy test. Though Granddaddy passes away without every having the opportunity to vote, his grandson honors him when he casts his first vote. Goldsmith remarks on the accurate details from the beautiful watercolors.
Goldsmith, F. (2015, July 1). [Review of the book Granddaddy's turn: a journey to the ballot box by M. Brandy and E. Stein]. Booklist, 111(21), 62. Retrieved from NoveList Plus database.
Michael, an African-American boy, “learned the value of hard work from his chores on the farm and patience from the afternoons fishing with Granddaddy” states the review. A special day becomes a lesson about racism and injustice and is a subtle reminder of the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement. The book reminds us justice will come if you wait their turn. Kirkus Reviews comment on how the illustrator “captures the nuance that is left out of the text.”
(2015, May 1). [Review of the book Granddaddy's turn: a journey to the ballot box by M. Brandy and E. Stein]. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from NoveList Plus database.
Permission Granted & Shared with author (via Twitter) and illustrator (via email)
It is a fascinating story about a man’s struggle to vote. Granddaddy is a hardworking, caring and extremely patient man. He instilled these values into this grandson as you hear him repeatedly say, “Patience, son, patience.” Granddaddy was excited and dressed in his Sunday’s best to cast his first vote. They walked for miles and then had to wait in line for hours sometimes people would cut in front of them. When Granddaddy reached the front of the line something happens and Granddaddy leaves with “tears in his eyes.” The grandson never gave up hope and took Granddaddy’s photo with him when his “day finally came.” Great artwork with a synopsis of the Civil Rights Movement at the end of the story is informative.
The narrator, a young boy, lives with his grandparent’s farm in the 1950s. They head to town to vote. Granddaddy is turned away after failing a phony literacy test. Though Granddaddy passes away without every having the opportunity to vote, his grandson honors him when he casts his first vote. Goldsmith remarks on the accurate details from the beautiful watercolors.
Goldsmith, F. (2015, July 1). [Review of the book Granddaddy's turn: a journey to the ballot box by M. Brandy and E. Stein]. Booklist, 111(21), 62. Retrieved from NoveList Plus database.
Michael, an African-American boy, “learned the value of hard work from his chores on the farm and patience from the afternoons fishing with Granddaddy” states the review. A special day becomes a lesson about racism and injustice and is a subtle reminder of the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement. The book reminds us justice will come if you wait their turn. Kirkus Reviews comment on how the illustrator “captures the nuance that is left out of the text.”
(2015, May 1). [Review of the book Granddaddy's turn: a journey to the ballot box by M. Brandy and E. Stein]. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from NoveList Plus database.
June 5, 2017
This is a picture book written by Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein and Illustrated by Names E. Ransome. Winner of the Keystone to Reading Book Award.
Main characters: Michael and granddaddy
Granddaddy is a hard worker farmer who teaches Michael how to farm and fish. One day, Granddaddy puts on a fancy suit because he is voting for the first time. Supposedly, there were new laws in place. Michael and Granddaddy walked for a long time to get to the voting poll. When they were in line, many people cut in line in front of them, but granddaddy said “Patience, son. Takes patience to get what you’ve got coming to you.” When they finally got in front of the line, a deputy crashed granddaddy’s dream.
The book has beautiful watercolor illustrations with thin gray lines surrounded the characters. Each page contains rich colors and specific details and shades.
This book is recommended for young readers. Teachers can use it as a read out loud to teach how life was in the South during segregation or voter suppression.
Sources:
BarnesandNoble.com and Children and Youth literature class.
Main characters: Michael and granddaddy
Granddaddy is a hard worker farmer who teaches Michael how to farm and fish. One day, Granddaddy puts on a fancy suit because he is voting for the first time. Supposedly, there were new laws in place. Michael and Granddaddy walked for a long time to get to the voting poll. When they were in line, many people cut in line in front of them, but granddaddy said “Patience, son. Takes patience to get what you’ve got coming to you.” When they finally got in front of the line, a deputy crashed granddaddy’s dream.
The book has beautiful watercolor illustrations with thin gray lines surrounded the characters. Each page contains rich colors and specific details and shades.
This book is recommended for young readers. Teachers can use it as a read out loud to teach how life was in the South during segregation or voter suppression.
Sources:
BarnesandNoble.com and Children and Youth literature class.
November 6, 2016
Grade Level: 1-3
Genre: Historical Fiction
Review: If I could, I would give this book an 11/5 stars! The minute I finished it, tears running down my face, I knew I had found a new favorite. "Granddaddy's Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box" is the perfect historical fiction book for young readers. With election season upon us, it is powerful reminder of how far our country has come in voting rights. Children need to know about the painful past so many American's faced in their fight for civil rights, and this book and it's beautiful illustrations do just that... they teach our children.
I could see this book being used as a read aloud, connecting history and literacy lessons into one. But I could also see this book being used for fluency practice as well."Granddaddy's Turn" includes a lot dialog, and this gives students many chances for fluency practice as they work through how to voice for different character.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Review: If I could, I would give this book an 11/5 stars! The minute I finished it, tears running down my face, I knew I had found a new favorite. "Granddaddy's Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box" is the perfect historical fiction book for young readers. With election season upon us, it is powerful reminder of how far our country has come in voting rights. Children need to know about the painful past so many American's faced in their fight for civil rights, and this book and it's beautiful illustrations do just that... they teach our children.
I could see this book being used as a read aloud, connecting history and literacy lessons into one. But I could also see this book being used for fluency practice as well."Granddaddy's Turn" includes a lot dialog, and this gives students many chances for fluency practice as they work through how to voice for different character.
July 10, 2018
Whoa, sad! great historical fiction with a happy ending but sad, sad story. Grandaddy's Turn was a
Caldecott Medal Nominee (1965). Watching the civil rights movement through a child's eyes, a young boy got to see his grandfather who he looked up to, so happy to vote for the first time, till the racism of this town brought him too tears. This book makes you appreciate having the right to vote. I feel most of today's generation take these things for granted, this book helps children to understand what our past generations went through in order for them to have the right to vote. Great read of an older child, they learn history and gives them appreciation. Not crazy about the illustration, looks like it was done originally in water color. Overall I feel it was written well and easy to understand, print was clean and well done. I could easily use this book in a history class about the civil rights movement for children in elementary school.
Caldecott Medal Nominee (1965). Watching the civil rights movement through a child's eyes, a young boy got to see his grandfather who he looked up to, so happy to vote for the first time, till the racism of this town brought him too tears. This book makes you appreciate having the right to vote. I feel most of today's generation take these things for granted, this book helps children to understand what our past generations went through in order for them to have the right to vote. Great read of an older child, they learn history and gives them appreciation. Not crazy about the illustration, looks like it was done originally in water color. Overall I feel it was written well and easy to understand, print was clean and well done. I could easily use this book in a history class about the civil rights movement for children in elementary school.
November 29, 2017
This is a book about a young boy watching his grandfather attempt to vote for the first time. As he watches his granddad try a police man stops him and asks if he knows how to read, when grandad can’t read it disqualifies him from voting. The grandson then says that he will vote for his grandpa sometime in the future, and he does. I really liked this book because the civil rights movement is something I have read extensively about. The illustrations are beautifully drawn in this book. It’s features a lot of full bleed spreads the cross the page break so you are looking at one big horizontal picture. Each illustrations have large amounts of white space where the text is placed. I actually liked the story better than the illustrations. I would use this book in a civil rights lesson and history exam and maybe some character study examining the motivations of the characters.
October 9, 2025
Omg the way my throat closed up and my eyes watered. Sad yet beautiful. I was emotionally invested in the characters and in the story. Definitely recommended.
I thought it was a really beautiful how the grandfather was so excited about voting for the first time that he dressed up in his suit and he jumped up out of the seat and give his wife a hug and wanted to take a picture with his ballot.
I felt mortally wounded for the grandfather when his ballot was torn up.
I felt a beautiful and sad sort of redemption (?) when his grandson was actually able to vote for the first time with his grandfather‘s photo ( him holding his ballot to his chest with his hand).
It was bittersweet.
I’ve read through the book 2 times and each time these parts get me. Ughh I’m feeling so much emotion… This writer is incredible.
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These are the parts that I liked or that stood out to me:
Chucka, chucka, chucka of my granddaddy’s tractor
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I guess he figured I was going to get in a passel of trouble (what is a passel???)
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Sometimes when I did my chores, I made so much sweat, it was like I was raining.
—
Nobody in my family had ever voted before. Where we lived, some people were allowed to vote in some people were not. I never knew anyone who had voted before. But I heard my teacher say that some new laws had changed all that. I hoped that was true, because I didn’t want us to get in trouble.
—
When we finally got to the front of the line, my granddaddy proudly signed a paper and was handed a ballot.
He clutched the ballot to his chest and said, “Son, this is the happiest day of my life.”
I took the camera from him and said, “Smile, Granddaddy.”
“Now, come on – let’s go vote,” he said.
But before we could even walk to the voting booth, a deputy stopped us and asked my granddaddy, “What are you doing, Uncle?”
Where we lived, if the white folks didn’t know your name, they usually called you either Uncle or George- or Auntie if you were a lady.
“I am voting today, sir,” my granddaddy replied.
The deputy got out a big, thick book and slammed it on the table. He opened it to a page with words that looked longer than crawfish.
“Can you read this, Uncle?”the deputy asked.
My granddaddy just stared at the pages and shook his head. “No, sir, I can’t,” he replied.
The deputy slammed the book shut, saying, “Well, Uncle, if you can’t read this, then you can’t vote.” He tore up my granddaddy’s ballot and threw it on the ground.
I was pretty sure that man wasn’t playing by the rules, but he was in charge. I could see my granddaddy was mad.
As we headed back down the road toward home, my granddaddy didn’t say a word. But I saw something I’ve never seen before - my big, strong granddaddy, had tears in his eyes.
“Don’t worry, Granddaddy. I’ll vote for you one day,” I said to him.
Granddaddy passed away before he ever got a chance to vote.
I never forgot that day he tried to vote. My granddaddy was so mad, he might’ve lost his temper. But he knew better than me how important that day was. Even though it wasn’t his time to vote that day, he looked to the future.
When I went to vote for the first time, I remembered, but my granddaddy always said: “Patience , son, patience.” He was right.
The day finally came. And I knew that - just like my granddaddy - I would never take it for granted.
With his picture in my hand, I put my ballot in the box, smiled, and said to myself, Now it’s Granddaddy’s turn.
————————
In the back of the book, they share historical context. I never knew about the level of difficulty of the literacy tests before. :
In the 1950s and 1960s, the civil rights movement helped dismantle the walls of racial segregation in the United States brick by brick – from interstate transportation to access to education to the desegregation of public accommodations and housing.
The last vestige of resistance in the struggle was voting rights. The pro-segregation establishment clearly understood the power of the vote. The concept of one person, one vote has always been the key to significant political and social change – a change that segregationists were not going to concede without a fight.
Politically sanctioned nullification of voter rights was common place in Alabama and many other southern states. African-American citizens were subject to various unethical methods of voter suppression, including poll taxes, and birth–record challenges. Perhaps the worst of these tactics were the so – called literacy tests.
These tests were usually administered by the polling officials toward any individual who was considered “undesirable.” The potential voter was handed a booklet or pamphlet, which often consisted of a difficult Elizabethan text or complex legal language. The voter was asked to read the document aloud and to explain in detail to the polling official what the passages meant. If the explanation was not deemed up to par, the voter was dismissed and not allowed to vote.
Through these tactics, thousands of individuals were denied their constitutional right to vote; many were also harassed or hurt, and some were even killed. Fortunately, these practices were ultimately stopped with the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, landmark legislation signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
————————————
Illustrations are done in watercolor.
I really like that even though it’s watercolor, it seems very, very, very detailed like hyperrealistic. Photo-like even in some parts. I can see the emotions in the people’s faces and that is not often something that you can see in watercolor. I feel like a lot of watercolor is not this detailed.
I thought it was a really beautiful how the grandfather was so excited about voting for the first time that he dressed up in his suit and he jumped up out of the seat and give his wife a hug and wanted to take a picture with his ballot.
I felt mortally wounded for the grandfather when his ballot was torn up.
I felt a beautiful and sad sort of redemption (?) when his grandson was actually able to vote for the first time with his grandfather‘s photo ( him holding his ballot to his chest with his hand).
It was bittersweet.
I’ve read through the book 2 times and each time these parts get me. Ughh I’m feeling so much emotion… This writer is incredible.
—
These are the parts that I liked or that stood out to me:
Chucka, chucka, chucka of my granddaddy’s tractor
—
I guess he figured I was going to get in a passel of trouble (what is a passel???)
—
Sometimes when I did my chores, I made so much sweat, it was like I was raining.
—
Nobody in my family had ever voted before. Where we lived, some people were allowed to vote in some people were not. I never knew anyone who had voted before. But I heard my teacher say that some new laws had changed all that. I hoped that was true, because I didn’t want us to get in trouble.
—
When we finally got to the front of the line, my granddaddy proudly signed a paper and was handed a ballot.
He clutched the ballot to his chest and said, “Son, this is the happiest day of my life.”
I took the camera from him and said, “Smile, Granddaddy.”
“Now, come on – let’s go vote,” he said.
But before we could even walk to the voting booth, a deputy stopped us and asked my granddaddy, “What are you doing, Uncle?”
Where we lived, if the white folks didn’t know your name, they usually called you either Uncle or George- or Auntie if you were a lady.
“I am voting today, sir,” my granddaddy replied.
The deputy got out a big, thick book and slammed it on the table. He opened it to a page with words that looked longer than crawfish.
“Can you read this, Uncle?”the deputy asked.
My granddaddy just stared at the pages and shook his head. “No, sir, I can’t,” he replied.
The deputy slammed the book shut, saying, “Well, Uncle, if you can’t read this, then you can’t vote.” He tore up my granddaddy’s ballot and threw it on the ground.
I was pretty sure that man wasn’t playing by the rules, but he was in charge. I could see my granddaddy was mad.
As we headed back down the road toward home, my granddaddy didn’t say a word. But I saw something I’ve never seen before - my big, strong granddaddy, had tears in his eyes.
“Don’t worry, Granddaddy. I’ll vote for you one day,” I said to him.
Granddaddy passed away before he ever got a chance to vote.
I never forgot that day he tried to vote. My granddaddy was so mad, he might’ve lost his temper. But he knew better than me how important that day was. Even though it wasn’t his time to vote that day, he looked to the future.
When I went to vote for the first time, I remembered, but my granddaddy always said: “Patience , son, patience.” He was right.
The day finally came. And I knew that - just like my granddaddy - I would never take it for granted.
With his picture in my hand, I put my ballot in the box, smiled, and said to myself, Now it’s Granddaddy’s turn.
————————
In the back of the book, they share historical context. I never knew about the level of difficulty of the literacy tests before. :
In the 1950s and 1960s, the civil rights movement helped dismantle the walls of racial segregation in the United States brick by brick – from interstate transportation to access to education to the desegregation of public accommodations and housing.
The last vestige of resistance in the struggle was voting rights. The pro-segregation establishment clearly understood the power of the vote. The concept of one person, one vote has always been the key to significant political and social change – a change that segregationists were not going to concede without a fight.
Politically sanctioned nullification of voter rights was common place in Alabama and many other southern states. African-American citizens were subject to various unethical methods of voter suppression, including poll taxes, and birth–record challenges. Perhaps the worst of these tactics were the so – called literacy tests.
These tests were usually administered by the polling officials toward any individual who was considered “undesirable.” The potential voter was handed a booklet or pamphlet, which often consisted of a difficult Elizabethan text or complex legal language. The voter was asked to read the document aloud and to explain in detail to the polling official what the passages meant. If the explanation was not deemed up to par, the voter was dismissed and not allowed to vote.
Through these tactics, thousands of individuals were denied their constitutional right to vote; many were also harassed or hurt, and some were even killed. Fortunately, these practices were ultimately stopped with the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, landmark legislation signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
————————————
Illustrations are done in watercolor.
I really like that even though it’s watercolor, it seems very, very, very detailed like hyperrealistic. Photo-like even in some parts. I can see the emotions in the people’s faces and that is not often something that you can see in watercolor. I feel like a lot of watercolor is not this detailed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2016
Diverse (Picture Book and Historical Fiction as well)-
I taught with this book around the election process this year because of how it teaches you that you should value your right to vote. The discusses the slow process of blacks gaining the right to vote. But, I think most importantly, it highlights the wonderful opportunity we all have to vote and how we should support our country before and after the vote. It is a beautiful story that helps children understand very new ideas to them of racism and voting.
I taught with this book around the election process this year because of how it teaches you that you should value your right to vote. The discusses the slow process of blacks gaining the right to vote. But, I think most importantly, it highlights the wonderful opportunity we all have to vote and how we should support our country before and after the vote. It is a beautiful story that helps children understand very new ideas to them of racism and voting.
February 3, 2017
The story is powerful, but the reason I gave it the fifth star was James Ransome's great artwork, which helps to convey this difficult story.
This multi-generational story about civil rights and voting is told in a very simple fashion, because most of it is from the viewpoint of a young boy. His grandfather is about to have his proudest day, when it is spoiled by the evil and fear of small-minded men. The lesson that the boy learns from that is carried forward, and redeemed by the end of the book. Great stuff.
This multi-generational story about civil rights and voting is told in a very simple fashion, because most of it is from the viewpoint of a young boy. His grandfather is about to have his proudest day, when it is spoiled by the evil and fear of small-minded men. The lesson that the boy learns from that is carried forward, and redeemed by the end of the book. Great stuff.
October 13, 2017
A granddaddy and grandson worked hard together but also enjoyed fishing trips together. One day they got dressed up and headed into town. Granddaddy was going to vote for the first time. The grandson took a picture of this special day, but then they were turned away because of a technicality. Years later the grandson goes to vote for the first time and takes that special picture with him.
An amazing book to explain a dark time in US history and the illustrations by James E Ransome This bring the words to life. This book was co-authored by Eric Stein.
An amazing book to explain a dark time in US history and the illustrations by James E Ransome This bring the words to life. This book was co-authored by Eric Stein.
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April 26, 2015Grandfather never was able to vote in the story. When it was the grandson's turn to vote eventually, he thought he was voting for his grandfather, who was denied to exercise his voting right because he didn't pass the literacy test, one of the unethical methods of voter suppression. African Americans' voting rights were guaranteed when the 1965 Voting Rights Act was signed into law. Justice is finally here, but is delayed justice still justice?
September 5, 2015
Granddaddy's Turn is a moving picture book story about a young man who watches his Granddaddy work so hard, only to have a voting official tear up his ballet because he's African American to prevent him from voting. The story is well told and extremely moving. You feel the frustration of the grandson and grandfather when the official wouldn't let him vote. The illustrations are gorgeous and capture the emotions on the page.
I received a copy of this book for consideration for an award.
I received a copy of this book for consideration for an award.
March 31, 2016
This book is a poignant story about a boy who went with his granddaddy to vote. It's the kind of family story that gets told and retold because it is filled with joy, excitement, pain, and inspiration. The narrator's granddaddy feels a great depth of passion at his opportunity to vote for the first time, only to be given a literacy test and turned away from the poll with his grandson looking on. Years later, the narrator is then inspired to vote with pride and in memory of his granddaddy.
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