Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls Answer the Call: The Heroic Story of WWI Telephone Operators

by Claudia Friddell, Elizabeth Baddeley (Illustrator)

Follow Grace Banker's journey from her busy life as a telephone switchboard trainer in New York to her pioneering role as the Chief Operator of the 1st Unit of World War I telephone operators in the battlefields of France. With expert skill, steady nerves, and steadfast loyalty, the Signal Corps operators transferred orders from commanders to battlefields and communicated top-secret messages between American and French headquarters. After faithfully serving her country--undaunted by freezing weather and fires; long hours and little sleep, and nearby shellings and far off explosions--Grace was the first and only woman operator in the Signal Corps to be awarded the Army's Distinguished Service Medal.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, History, War, World War I, Historical

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 2, 2021

About the author

For children’s author Claudia Friddell, discovering exciting stories from long ago is a lot like treasure hunting. Claudia's narrative nonfiction books include: Saving Lady Liberty, Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls Answer the Call, George Washington’s Spies, Goliath, Hero of the Great Baltimore Fire, To the Front! Clara Barton Braves the Battle of Antietam, Road Trip! Cool Off and Ride, and her new YA book, The Mysterious Virginia Hall, out now! A former teacher, Claudia loves to share her journeys and joys of bringing history to life through books with students, teachers, and history lovers of all ages. When she’s not visiting schools, digging for treasure in the library, or writing at her home in Baltimore, Claudia is reading, walking, and kayaking on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Reviews

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls Answer the Call: The Heroic Story of WWI Telephone Operators is a children's picture book by Claudia Friddell and illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley. It centers on Grace Banker – an overlooked hero of the First World War, who is finally given her due.

Grace D. Banker was a telephone operator who served during World War I as chief operator of mobile for the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. She led thirty-three women telephone operators known popularly as Hello Girls.

Friddell's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Quotes from Banker’s diary and letters accompany Friddell's straightforward, descriptive text, bringing to life Banker’s dedication, humor, and fearlessness. Backmatter includes a timeline, notes, and bibliography. Baddeley's appealing comics-style illustrations provide a strong sense of time and place, depicting the narrative rather well.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Grace Banker answered the U.S. Signal Corps’ call for women telephone operators. College educated when women generally weren’t and already training switchboard operators at 25, she was named chief operator of a group known as the Signal Corps Girls and sent overseas to connect military calls from England to France, sometimes from secret locations.

All in all, Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls Answer the Call: The Heroic Story of WWI Telephone Operators is an absorbing look at one woman’s achievements during the First World War.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love learning about famous women, or not so famous women who did great things. Who would have thought of the need to have telephone operators on the front, but the army knew they needed them, and knew that the women were already trained, so why not use them.

I think it is amazing that Grace Banker had everything that the army needed, college educated, bilingual and skilled in training others on how to be a phone operator. Pity the civilian world was not as impressed.

The book follows up with pictures from that time, as well as more details about her life.

What an amazing book about an amazing woman.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of my 365 Kids Books challenge. For an explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.

After a restorative and fun vacation, I am delighted to get back to my project with a new book. This one is an excellent example of what nonfiction picture books can be. It is chock full of win, including Baddeley's art showing the troop ship camouflaged Dazzle Ships: World War I and the Art of ConfusionHighlights:

direct quotes are in blue, with a list of resources at the end, as simplified footnoting
after the illustrated story, there is extensive backmatter, including an Afterword, a timeline for Grace Banker with archival photographs, a page on how shabbily the recruited women were treated by the Army and Congress after the war, a list of statistics on the Signal Corps' work in WWI, a similar list of Firsts, the role of the YWCA in accommodation of the women in France, the actual steps to connecting calls in 1918, the Bibliography, Picture Credits, an Artist's note with pages from the sketchbook, and Acknowledgements. Not everyone will be interested in all the back matter, of course, but for those who are this book is an excellent start to further research.

Friddell did a great job of telling Banker's story, and of explaining the injustice in context. It could have been a hell of a lot more explicit and harsh before I'd have thought it too much, but instead she focused on the work it took to earn these women the rights that had been denied them. The only thing I'd have liked to see that wasn't included is a specific statement on the infantilization inherent in calling grown-ass men and women fighting a war "Hello Girls" and "Dough Boys."

So, in sum, brilliant, well-executed, and kudos for highlighting some of the people who are usually left out of the picture.

Library copy

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few years ago, when some of my friends and I toured a World War I exhibit at a history museum, one of the artifacts that impressed us the most was a battlefield telephone. It was beautifully designed and decorated, and we talked about how amazing it is that humans design such lovely items, even when they are intended for a deadly grim context.

Until now, that experience was my only knowledge of and exposure to WWI telephoning. I enjoyed reading this picture book biography to learn more, and found it absolutely fascinating. It celebrates the history of Grace Banker and other young women who worked as telephone operators during the war, and I found it both educational and inspiring.

The illustrations are vibrant, colorful, and historically accurate, and the text is clear and easy to read. It also incorporates direct quotes from Grace Banker, and that is what elevated this to a five-star book for me. It was already great, but I absolutely loved the inclusion of her words and thoughts. This is a great book for anyone who is interested in WWI history, the adventures of little-known historical women, or the history of the telephone. I would recommend this to both children and adults.

I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura Salas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not all that much for war stories, but this is a story of bravery, adventure, duty, patriotism, girl-power, and justice, all set during WWI. I've never actually heard of the Signal Corps males, let alone the all-female Hello Girls, who relayed orders from commanders in headquarters to troops on the battlefields.

Concise, clear writing; awesome and accessible quotations from Grace Banker herself; careful, dramatic illustrations in a color palette that fits the era; and fascinating backmatter--they all combine to make this book a winner. And I learned a lot, too!

Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

College education- check, Fluency in French- check, Telephone operator experience- check. Women had never been allowed in the army, but Grace got the call to serve as the chief operator overseas in the Signal Corps, 1st Unit of World War I telephone operators. Under Grace’s leadership, the “Hello Girls” endured bombings, explosions, fires and freezing weather as they translated commands and secret codes from battlefield headquarters. Not only did their grit and courage help win the war, it also earned Grace the Army’s Distinguished Service Medal. I love history and this thoroughly researched story was engaging and fun.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was highly entertained while reading this account of the contribution made by the telephone operators during WWI. Grace Banker served as their chief operator because of her speed and efficiency. This picture book covers her service in the Signal Corps and the work she and the other women performed in getting coded messages to and from the battlefield. The operators' lives were in danger due to their location and the constant bombing, and Grace earned a Distinguished Service Medal for her role in the war. The text includes some of Grace's actual written observations as she joined the war effort and literally "answered the call." Archival photographs, a timeline, and additional information about how the operators were treated once they returned to the United States--they were denied Veterans' benefits for several decades--add to the importance of this story. Created with ink, acrylic, and digital techniques, the illustrations are incredibly detailed, but tend to put a sunnier face on wartime service than might be expected. Still, there are several scenes that show just how much danger Grace and her co-workers were in and the challenging conditions they endured. I thoroughly enjoyed having this interesting piece of WWI in my possession and was infuriated at how dismissive the government was toward these women once they returned home. Surely, they deserved pensions for their important service. Ah, another wrong that needed to be corrected!

[Lisa Gerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely picture book about a highly unknown group of women in WWI was a delight to read. I had never heard of these women who helped out as phone operators during WWI, unsung heroes. The book is so extensively researched and well written, and is bound to keep young girls or boys interested throughout until the end.

It is worth mentioning that EA Baddeley's artwork is appealing in a graphic common book style, with some spreads having three or more panels on a page. Also, the use of direct quotes from Grace throughout the text is interesting. I would recommend for kids, a bit older than the usual pb age, as this historical story might be better suited for upper elementary readers.

[Danielle Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved learning about Grace Banker and the other Hello Girls. These were women I didn't learn about in school, and it was great getting to know this piece of history.

The book does a good job with detailing the events of the switchboard operators in World War I, and how important these ladies were. The illustrations were great, and a lot of care and research went into creating this book.

Though it is geared towards younger readers, it's very informative for adults as well. Especially if your school failed to teach about these tremendous women.


Thank you to Netgalley for the free, advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the thoughtful inclusion of primary source material, and this wasn't a dry history; there was detail and suspense!

[Amy Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my 8 year old daughter and we both learned something new about World War I. This is a great book for kids ages 8-12. It does get a bit repetitive but has good information.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review.

[Carol Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drawing upon Grace's diaries and interviews, the story opens in December 1917 with Grace reading how the commander of the U.S. troops in Europe was issuing a call for female telephone operators.

That was not the only way that women were called to help with the war effort, but it was the one Grace acted on.

As a telephone operator, she had the skills and she also knew French and English. But, women had never been allowed in the army.

Grace was thrilled not only to be accepted into the Signal Corps, but she was named the chief operator of the first group of thirty-seven women to go overseas. After two months of drills and classes, the Signal Corps Girls headed to France on board the troop ship Celtic.

The minute the Signal Corps Girls started plugging in cords and connecting calls at General Pershing's headquarters in France, calls poured in from homesick doughboys missing the voices of their mothers, sisters, wives, and sweethearts.

Grace loved her busy twenty-four-hour days. She wrote in her journal, "Never spent more time at the office and never enjoyed anything more. My girls work like beavers."

When General Pershing moved his headquarters to the front, Grace and her girls followed--with gas masks and helmets hanging from their chairs. Grace was almost hit by shrapnel but nothing kept the women from making sure that every call was connected. "Any missed command could lose the battle."

At one point General Pershing moved the unit to a top-secret location.

Like the conductor of an orchestra, Grace directed her girls from the top of a crate. With fingers flying over the fighting lines' switchboards, the operators barely noticed the bitter winds or leaky barracks.

When a fire broke out in the barracks, the girls wouldn't leave their posts. Only when they were threatened with court-martial did they leave their switchboards!

Finally, on November 11, 1918, a captain of the Signal Courts picked up Grace's phone and made an urgent call--Cease Fire!

On May 22, 1919 Grace was the first woman soldier to receive the U.S. Army's Distinguished Service Medal. She wrote in her journal:

There are many who saw far more service than I, and many who earned medals even if they did not receive them. Mine I consider as a tribute to the girls who worked under me at the First Army and to the Signal Corps men operators scattered throughout the tiny tiny field offices.

BACK MATTER
Seven pages of back matter include a timeline, the fight to obtain full veteran's benefits for the operators, relevant statistics, information on how a switchboard worked, an extended bibliography and interesting artist's notes. There's no question that this book is an excellent curriculum resource for 1st-3rd graders.

[Emily Elfering · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls Answer the Call written by Claudia Friddell and illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley. I found this book on a Feminist book project list presented by the American Library Association. This nonfiction biography book in a picture book format highlights the heroic story of WW1 telephone operators. I recommend this book for children in grades 2-5. Background knowledge of this time period could be helpful to understanding the book prior to reading. For example, the book starts out introducing the setting in the year 1917.

Many of the pictures in the book help to tell the story and give information about the setting. The pictures were created in a combination of ink, acrylic, and digital media. The book also contains speech bubbles and thinking bubbles that add to the craft of the story.

The book highlights a woman named Grace Banker who saw an advertisement in the newspaper calling young women in America who were interested in working in France as a phone operator during the war. She thought she was just the person for the job because she was able to speak English, French, and had prior experience working with phones. She went on to be a leader in her group of phone operators that were all women. These women showed their bravery and sacrifice to make sure that troops in the battlefield were able to communicate to one another in order to win the war. She even helped to make the final call in WW1 announcing a ceasefire.

This story is an example of a forgotten or underrepresented critical help during the war. After reading this story, students can gain a better understanding of WW1 while also hearing from a successful female perspective. This is an inspiring story that highlights that females can do anything they put their minds to. As a teacher, this book could be used to spark a writing prompt. For example, in the story the girls working as telephone operators continued to work no matter what the conditions were. A prompt could look something like: what is something you could be so passionate about that you would work through similar conditions that Grace did in order to get the job done? This type of writing assignment would create a space for students to analyze Grace Banker and relate the feats they read about to themselves.

Because this book is a nonfiction book, there is a timeline featured in the back. This helps to continue learning about the topic even after reading the story. It might help to answer any questions kids have after reading. The book also goes on to tell the story after she returned home from the war and her contribution to the world.

[Rainbow Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you looking for a picture book biography about an inspiring woman serving her country during wartime?

Might I suggest Grace Banker And Her Hello Girls Answer The Call: The Heroic Story of WWI Telephone Operators by Claudia Friddell?

I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t heard of Grace Banker before I read this book, but I can’t wait to share her story with you now!

In 1917, a 25-year-old Grace Banker answered an ad seeking French-speaking telephone operators to join the Signal Corps of the United States Army. Though she couldn’t vote yet, Grace was selected as a chief operator and led a team of thirty-three operators who translated commands and transferred secret codes on the front lines during World War I.

These women were some of America’s first female soldiers and they kept communications open despite the explosions, fires, and poor weather conditions they faced. Their skill and dedication to their work played a vital role in the victory of World War I, though they remain unsung heroes today.

Working closely with Grace Banker’s family, Claudia Friedel and Elizabeth Baddeley have created a biography that feels personal. Quotes from Grace’s diaries are used throughout the book to truly highlight her voice.

The backmatter offers plenty of additional information about Grace and The Service Corps to inform young readers of the historical significance of their achievements, as well as their fight to receive veteran recognition.

Thank you so much to Calkins Creek and Boyds Mills & Kane for providing me with a review copy of Grace Banker And Her Hello Girls Answer The Call. I’m so glad to be able to share such an amazing story.

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[Katheryne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you know that women were called to serve in the US Army's first telephone operators unit in France during WWI? Before women were even allowed to vote? I didn't either! This nonfiction picture book brings a little known piece of history to children of all ages. The author and illustrator researched archives and artifacts and collaborated with Grace Banker's granddaughter to share the story of the "Hello Girls" in World War 1. The narrative moves along at a good pace, without overwhelming younger readers. Scattered throughout are quotes from Grace's diaries and interviews, which lends a personal touch to the story. The illustrations are detailed and historically accurate, yet subdued, using tones from only a few colors, which fits very well with the time period of the early 1900s. The book includes an afterword, a timeline, further information, a bibliography, and even a short note from the artist. These extra components add additional information in helping the young reader further their understanding of the story, people, and time period involved in this snapshot of WWI. Most intriguing is what happened to Grace and her fellow "Hello GIrls" after the war and their return home. Read to the very end to find out! Overall, this is an excellent American history resource for children of all ages - showing that regular people living regular lives (men and women both!) served our country with honor and integrity, helping to defend our country and win the war.
The publisher and NetGalley provided me with an advanced reader's copy. This review and opinions are entirely my own.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Grace Banker opened the newspaper on a brisk December morning in 1917--the world was at war, and General John J. Pershing, the commander of US troops across the Atlantic, was calling for female telephone operators to join the fight against Germany.

Premise/plot: This nonfiction picture book biography stars Grace Banker one of the female telephone operators recruited to serve overseas in France during World War I at great risk to her own life. (She became the Chief Operator of the 1st Unit of World War I telephone operators.)

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! I had not heard of Grace Banker or the 'Hello Girls.' (Earlier this year or maybe late last year I came across a sentence or two in another book mentioning telephone operators during the first world war, but I had no idea really about what these women experienced.) I found the story fascinating. It is a well written narrative--well researched too. I loved all that back material which provided more context for understanding their place in history.

[Kimmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received an electronic ARC from Astra Publishing House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *

As an elementary school library, I love finding short, interesting histories of relatively unknown individuals and sharing them with my students. My struggling readers aren't intimidated by the length of the text, and my fluent readers are gaining new knowledge. Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls Answer the Call is one I will definitely purchase for my library. This book touches on both World War I, Women's History, and could also possibly be tied into a lesson on the history of long-distance communication. The engaging illustrations supplement the text perfectly and provide scaffolding for those readers that are in need. The text is engaging both in the word choice and in visual style. The fact that Grace Banker's words are added in blue to supplement the author's text is also a bonus. Overall, this is a well-done story of a group of women who have long deserved recognition for the role they played during World War I.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Astra Publishing House through NetGalley.
Friddell offers a close up look at Grace Banker and her life during World War I. She led a team of Signal Corps women (yes, they were called girls then) near the frontlines for much of the war. Through the illustrations and text, readers will feel they are part of the action as Friddell shows what their life and commitment to their roles was like. The artwork clearly shows facial expressions and captures the action taking place around the characters. The characters themselves seem to be in continual motion to show how much needed to be done at the same time.
The information is provided at an upper elementary level to offer younger readers a first look at this part of history. This serves as a springboard for further research if a reader chooses. Informative text including a timeline of Banker's life, further info on switchboard operators, and a bibliography are included at the end.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a young girl, living in a small town before a move to a city, it was okay to stop by the telephone office to watch the operator "plug" and "unplug" the telephone lines. It was fascinating! Here is a story of some heroes who did more than that, they volunteered in World War I to help with the communications. A call went out and Grace Banker answered. She was college-educated, fluent in French, and sailed off with others to France. And, she was named "chief operator"! Claudia Friddell tells this fascinating story of the "Hello Girls" from their beginnings to a last call that said "Cease Fire!" She does add their history after the war, too. Elizabeth Baddeley's illustrations, and note at the back, show the painstaking research done to add to the story of this little-known hero and her group from World War I. There is more information in the back matter, including a timeline.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm grateful to have won a hardcover copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

Gorgeously illustrated, thoroughly researched, this book is an awesome topic for US women's history. While the title and some of the picture book parts of the book are a bit overblown, the story portion serves as a great introduction to these WWI and women's history topics for school-agers. At the end of the book, you find more facts, background, and timeline info that would make excellent teaching aids.

Worthy read. I found myself outraged that these women weren't actually considered service members when they returned from the war and that it took SIXTY years for that recognition!

Cover art matches the book jacket, which is a nice surprise!

[Beth Nieman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific and inspiring book for young readers about Grace Banker, a 25-year old telephone operator who became chief operator for the U.S. Signal Corp. Readers will learn a lot about WWI through this exciting story of Grace and her team of "hello girls" who performed a vital communications function for the U.S. war effort against Germany--all before they even had the right to vote. Text drawn from Grace's own writings brings a feeling of being right there beside her, and the illustrations by Elizabeth Baddeley show everything from the clothing styles of the day to the equipment and working conditions Grace and her team experienced overseas. Highly recommend this well-executed picture book biography.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite kind of biography - the story of a regular person who did something really interesting, difficult, and/or brave that helped the world. Grace Banker joined the U.S.Army Signal Corps during World War 1 and handled telecommunication needs at battlefield headquarters in France. I love the way the author included primary source documentation throughout the story (notes from Grace's journals appear in blue text) and the lovely, carefully researched illustrations are fascinating. With the right prep work before reading (some background on the events and dangers of WW1 would help 21st-century children), this book will be an inspiring lesson during Women's History Month!

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating picture book biography about a woman (and a topic) I knew nothing about previously! I love the dedication of the Hello Girls. I really love how the author included quotes from Banker's actual diaries, interviews, etc. and indicated them in blue. This book had a good balance of text per page (I find lots of picture book biographies end up being too text heavy).

There was a whole second story just in the back matter about how these Hello Girls were not given veteran benefits and about their fight to receive them. I think this book needs a sequel!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The little-known story of the pioneering role of Grace Banker as the Chief Operator of the first unit of World War I telephone operators assigned to facilitate communication among the battlefields of France. After faithfully serving her country, Grace was the first and only woman operator in the Signal Corps to be awarded the Army's Distinguished Service Medal. A great story about the early role of American women in the military.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a big history buff, so I was surprised to enjoy this as much as I did.
Grace Banker led an amazing life, and her willingness to accept the call (see what I did there?) to become a Hello Girl is inspiring. It was interesting to learn about what they did, see how close to danger they really were, and see their contribution to the war (and its end). Also enjoyed the shade at how they weren't properly recognized because of sexism. Some good back matter too.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book biography recounts how 25-year-old Grace Banker served in the 1st unit of WWI telephone operators as Chief Operator, leading a hardworking team of young women who helped win the war.

I missed the note on the title page that explains that italicized passages are excerpts from Grace's diaries and interviews, and was a little confused when I first encountered this in the text. I think these passages could have been formatted differently to make that clearer.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House, Calkins Creek for a free digital copy.

With a vintage flair this illustrated story with a graphic novel feel at times tells the tale of the switchboard operators of WWI who made communication possible. I love this biography of a woman on the front and how essential women were even if it's not well discussed.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love that an illustrated book for children also holds some historical significance and an opportunity for learning. As a woman veteran of the U.S.Army who served in the Signal Corps (8th Signal Battalion in Bad Kreuznach, Germany), I was a bit dismayed that I had never heard of this woman before. At no time during my AIT schooling or when I was stationed in Germany, did any mention of the female footsteps that I followed in was mentioned. Granted my service was just 10 years after these women were even recognized as military veterans, so it enforced the realization that even in 1987 when I enlisted, how being a woman in the military was still uncelebrated.

I enjoyed the story, the photos, and will keep this on my shelf since this little part of history ties in to my own, even in such a small portion. Oddly enough, after my enlistment, I too, worked for the YWCA for a short while.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Grace banker and her hello call girls' teach us about how important women were during world war I. I am disappointed to say that I don't recall learning about her when I was in school. This story shows how brave these women were and how vital they were in ending the war. I loved reading their story and I truly hope this book is shared with all children.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

NC1120L. "Hello Girls" back in the US -- became the first female combatants in World War I.
Follow Grace Banker's journey from her busy life as a telephone switchboard trainer in New York to her
pioneering role as the Chief Operator of the 1st Unit of World War I telephone operators in the
battlefields of France.