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A Take-Charge Girl Blazes a Trail to Congress

The Story of Jeannette Rankin

Author Gretchen Woelfle
Illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon
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Hardcover
$18.99 US
Astra Publishing House | Calkins Creek
11.38"W x 9.31"H x 0.39"D   | 17 oz | 20 per carton
On sale Feb 07, 2023 | 40 Pages | 9781662680120
Age 7-10 years | Grades 2-5
Reading Level: Lexile 710L | Fountas & Pinnell U
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For take-charge girls in the making and fans of I Dissent and Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice, this is the story of Jeannette Rankin, the first US congresswoman.

Jeannette Rankin was always a take-charge girl. Whether taking care of horses or her little brothers and sisters—Jeannette knew what to do and got the job done. That’s why, when she saw poor children living in bad conditions in San Francisco, she knew she had to take charge and change things.

But in the early twentieth century, women like Jeannette couldn’t vote to change the laws that failed to protect children. Jeannette became an activist and led the charge, campaigning for women’s right to vote. And when her home state, Montana, gave women that right, Jeannette ran for Congress and became America’s first congressWOMAN!
★ “This lively biography showcases one tireless activist, Jeannette Rankin from Montana, who became the first U.S. congresswoman in 1916 and whose fight for all women to have the right to vote was key in ratifying the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920. Rankin’s story is made relatable to young readers through Woelfle's focus on how 'take-charge' she was, starting as a child...The section on Rankin’s campaign for Congress, in which she crisscrossed 6,000 miles of Montana by train and horse, is riveting. The illustrations, done in colored pencils and acrylic inks, jauntily convey period detail.”—Booklist, starred review

“Woelfle wisely begins the narrative in Rankin’s youth, then leads into her suffragist activism and her political career...The text as a whole grounds Rankin’s ambitions in her determination to advocate for children, and such framing will likely make the book more accessible to young readers, as will the energetic illustrations. Gibbon’s acrylic ink and colored pencil pictures have a homespun, folk-art quality to them, offering readers depictions of Rankin’s early life...A yes vote for this title’s inclusion on children’s bookshelves.”—Kirkus Reviews

“'Take-charge girl’ Jeanette Rankin…inspires in this lively, quote-filled picture book about her journey to become the first U.S. congresswoman. Woefle narrates with a conversational tone that makes Rankin feel accessible… [and] Rankin exudes confidence in quaint acrylic ink and colored pencil artwork.” —Publishers Weekly

“As a group read-aloud, this book could be followed by a discussion of dreams among the participants. Just as Jeannette did, young people could envision the steps from smaller goals to larger goals, creating the greatest possible impact. Early elementary children will enjoy the story and the lovely illustrations, while upper elementary children will recognize connections to social studies, politics, and modern-day activism.” —Friends Journal
Gretchen Woelfle is the author of multiple award-winning fiction and nonfiction books for young readers. Her books include Answering the Cry for Freedom, Mumbet’s Declaration of Independence, and Write On, Mercy!, both of which received the California Reading Association’s Eureka! Silver Award, among many other honors. She lives in Los Angeles, California. Visit gretchenwoelfle.com. View titles by Gretchen Woelfle
Rebecca Gibbon is an award-winning illustrator. Her titles include A Take-Charge Girl Blazes a Trail to Congress, Nellie vs. Elizabeth, which made the Bank Street Best Books list and was one of Smithsonian Magazine's Ten Best Children’s Books of 2022, and Marjory Saves the Everglades, which received many honors. Her work has also made the ALA Notable Book list and received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal. Visit rebeccagibbon.com. View titles by Rebecca Gibbon

A TAKE-CHARGE GIRL BLAZES A TRAIL TO CONGRESS

About

For take-charge girls in the making and fans of I Dissent and Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice, this is the story of Jeannette Rankin, the first US congresswoman.

Jeannette Rankin was always a take-charge girl. Whether taking care of horses or her little brothers and sisters—Jeannette knew what to do and got the job done. That’s why, when she saw poor children living in bad conditions in San Francisco, she knew she had to take charge and change things.

But in the early twentieth century, women like Jeannette couldn’t vote to change the laws that failed to protect children. Jeannette became an activist and led the charge, campaigning for women’s right to vote. And when her home state, Montana, gave women that right, Jeannette ran for Congress and became America’s first congressWOMAN!

Praise

★ “This lively biography showcases one tireless activist, Jeannette Rankin from Montana, who became the first U.S. congresswoman in 1916 and whose fight for all women to have the right to vote was key in ratifying the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920. Rankin’s story is made relatable to young readers through Woelfle's focus on how 'take-charge' she was, starting as a child...The section on Rankin’s campaign for Congress, in which she crisscrossed 6,000 miles of Montana by train and horse, is riveting. The illustrations, done in colored pencils and acrylic inks, jauntily convey period detail.”—Booklist, starred review

“Woelfle wisely begins the narrative in Rankin’s youth, then leads into her suffragist activism and her political career...The text as a whole grounds Rankin’s ambitions in her determination to advocate for children, and such framing will likely make the book more accessible to young readers, as will the energetic illustrations. Gibbon’s acrylic ink and colored pencil pictures have a homespun, folk-art quality to them, offering readers depictions of Rankin’s early life...A yes vote for this title’s inclusion on children’s bookshelves.”—Kirkus Reviews

“'Take-charge girl’ Jeanette Rankin…inspires in this lively, quote-filled picture book about her journey to become the first U.S. congresswoman. Woefle narrates with a conversational tone that makes Rankin feel accessible… [and] Rankin exudes confidence in quaint acrylic ink and colored pencil artwork.” —Publishers Weekly

“As a group read-aloud, this book could be followed by a discussion of dreams among the participants. Just as Jeannette did, young people could envision the steps from smaller goals to larger goals, creating the greatest possible impact. Early elementary children will enjoy the story and the lovely illustrations, while upper elementary children will recognize connections to social studies, politics, and modern-day activism.” —Friends Journal

Author

Gretchen Woelfle is the author of multiple award-winning fiction and nonfiction books for young readers. Her books include Answering the Cry for Freedom, Mumbet’s Declaration of Independence, and Write On, Mercy!, both of which received the California Reading Association’s Eureka! Silver Award, among many other honors. She lives in Los Angeles, California. Visit gretchenwoelfle.com. View titles by Gretchen Woelfle
Rebecca Gibbon is an award-winning illustrator. Her titles include A Take-Charge Girl Blazes a Trail to Congress, Nellie vs. Elizabeth, which made the Bank Street Best Books list and was one of Smithsonian Magazine's Ten Best Children’s Books of 2022, and Marjory Saves the Everglades, which received many honors. Her work has also made the ALA Notable Book list and received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal. Visit rebeccagibbon.com. View titles by Rebecca Gibbon

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