Susan B. Anthony: Her Fight for Equal Rights

by Monica Kulling, Maike Plenzke (Contributor)

This Step 2 BIOGRAPHY READER marks the 200th birthday of this bold suffragette and the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment, giving women the right to vote.

"It's not fair." Susan B. Anthony was very concerned about fairness and equality for women and girls in America. She knew it wasn't fair to pay a woman less than a man for the same job. She knew it wasn't fair not to allow women to vote in elections. In fact, it was illegal for women to vote. But she felt so strongly, she voted in an election--and was arrested--anyway. Young readers will learn about young Susan B. Anthony and how she grew up to become a suffragette--a fighter for women's equality. She joined forces with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and others and gave speeches around the country to gain support for women's right to vote. She fought her whole life, and believed that "failure is impossible." She was right; her work made the 19th Amendment to the Constitution possible!

Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics--for children who are ready to read on their own.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

Published February 4, 2020

About the author

Monica Kulling was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. She received a BA in creative writing from the University of Victoria. Monica Kulling has published twenty-six fiction and nonfiction books for children, including picture books, poetry, and biographies. She is best known for introducing biography to children just learning to read and has written about Harriet Tubman, Houdini, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Amelia Earhart among others. Monica Kulling lives in Toronto, Canada.

Reviews

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Susan B. Anthony: Her Fight for Equal Rights by Monica Kulling, illustrated by Maike Plenzke. EARLY READER Random House, 2020. $9. 9780593119839

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This simple biography explores Susan B. Anthony’s contribution to the Women’s Rights Movement. In the late 1800’s, women didn’t have the same rights as men and as Susan grew up and got an education, she saw the error in that way of thinking. Susan spoke out against inequality towards women and even voted when it was against the law. Although Susan passed away before women were allowed the right to vote, her contributions were lasting.

Susan B. Anthony is an amazing historical figure and the idea that women didn’t have basic rights is well explained in this great introduction to that topic. As far as an early reader goes, this one has 1-2 sentences per page and reads with simple enough vocabulary. My only issue with the book is that the illustrations show scowling and entitled men, which I don’t think all men need to be made the bad guy in order to celebrate the fight for Women’s rights.

Reviewer, C. Peterson
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book briefly and gracefully summarizes the most important elements of Susan B. Anthony's women's rights advocacy, explaining the issues in a way that an easy-reader audience can understand.

My only complaint is that this book shows Frederick Douglass in one of the illustrations without introducing him in the text. It is nice that the book includes a nod towards the partnership between these significant figures, but beginning readers are highly unlikely to recognize him, much less know anything about the relationship between Anthony and Douglass. I wish that the text had provided some background for this, instead of leaving it as subtext for older readers.

[Rebeca Sanchez · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this easy reading book, author Monica Kulling writes the story behind the famous Susan B. Anthony many know in their history classes. Susan was very concerned of her education at a very young age, but behind all that, her father was part of her motivation. She was homeschooled throughout her academic career and became a teacher. Since she was the only woman hired, she wasn't paid fairly like the rest of her colleagues. Back then women weren't allowed to vote and had little rights in the household. Young readers learn about Susan's childhood and how she became a suffragette for women's equality. This book also gives a brief mention of Elizabeth Stanton and the other women that contributed in their own way. Her work made the 19th Amendment in the Constitution possible and has young readers learn a bit of history. From the illustrations, the use of white space and double-spreads gives the students an appeal to the "modern" artwork. The same can be said about the bright colors, so the story flows along with the cheerful environment.

As I was reading this book, I saw that as an easy reading kids can know Susan B. Anthony before they even have a history class. There's an enjoyment to the book from its content and illustrations, but there are a few things that aren't explained in the book. As an emergent literacy book, it's reasonable to think this way but that could be used for older readers.

[Shaylin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about all that women can be today and how Susan B. Anthony helped to make that possible through her fight for equal rights. I would recommend this book as it informs children on an important person in our history with sentences and words that are accessible yet help to further their reading ability. I enjoyed this book as it is informational and told in a simple way accompanied with illustrations that help to describe the time and events.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Monica Kulling's historical writing. This book features the highlights of the Susan B. Anthony's influence during the fight for suffrage. The illustrations are clear and energetic, but they also add key contemporaries not mentioned in the text. I loved the format. This is a great addition to any home or public library.

[Sunday · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy introduction to Susan B. Anthony with some interesting facts that may inspire students to read further. Don't be fooled by the large print - it's still written at a 2nd+ grade level.

I agree with another reviewer - disappointed that there was an illustration of Frederick Douglass but he isn't named.

[Markie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s great reading this book about the life of Susan B. Anthony with my 4yo. It’s important that kiddos like mine learn about history so they know where we’ve come from and that we are capable of change.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple biography that explains Susan B. Anthony's standing up for women's right to vote. Engaging text and illustrations.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan B. Anthony fights for women's rights and even though she's doesn't live to see the day that women are allowed to vote, she helped pave the way.

[Alexis Verzal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really interesting