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The year is 1965, and Miss Lillian is finally going to cast her first, official vote. On her way to the polls, she thinks about the trials and tribulations of not only her ancestors but also those of other African Americans. These thoughts make her even more determined to vote. This picture book is an excellent way to teach children about African Americans‘ struggle to vote.

This picture book tells the story of Miss Lillian, an African American woman, who is determined to exercise her right to vote. What makes her right to vote so special is Miss Lillian‘s age; she is 100-years-old. On her way to vote, Ms. Lillian thinks about her ancestors and the adversity they faced. This a five-star read for children.

My 8 year old recommended this book to me. He found it really moving. It depicts the difficult journey Black Americans took to earn the right to vote - from the auction blocks of enslavement, through to Selma and the voting rights act. It covers poll taxes and other barriers to voting.

I cannot wait to read this to my class at the beginning of November. Why We Vote

#BBRC @LibrarianRyan @StayCurious

July reading recap: 25 books finished (not including 8 bailed)

*5-star reads (in order of reading)*

Lillian's Right to Vote, Jonah Winter, Shane W. Evans (Illustrator)

Separate Is Never Equal, Duncan Tonatiuh

[more in two comments]

I was introduced to Lillian during a family story time—part of the “Leaders Make Readers“ campaign—this summer via Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) for which I actively volunteer.

This is an excellent children's picture book chronicling voting rights in a straightforward step-by-step walk through MC's family history. The Author's Note at the end mentions the 2013 SCOTUS decision that allowed many states to enact harmful voter ID laws.

Winner of the Jane Addams award, Lillian‘s Right to Vote is a HF book written by Jonah Winter. Lillian travels up a steep hill to go vote. It is a struggle, but she perseveres. As she climbs, images of the battle to vote from her great-great grandparents to Martin Luther King Jr. appear along the way highlighting the importance of what it means to vote. Using S as a strategy will make for an engaging read with students.

Another wonderful American history picture book that should be available in every early elementary classroom.

A black woman‘s uphill journey to being able to vote, this an amazingly constructed story that mixes history and today in the best way.

This is a beautiful, moving book is told through the point of view of Lillian, a “very old lady” (to quote the book), walking up a very steep hill on her way to vote. As she climbs, she walks through the history of African-Americans in the United States. Highly recommended. -Flannery

inspiring story of 100yo Lillian going to vote. as she walks she remembers family & activists that came before her enabling & ensuring her right. sobering author's note on the loss of federal oversight of states' election processes & rise of voter id laws hindering poor & elderly.