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Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass by Dean Robbins

2/22/2016

5 Comments

 
Picture
Orchard Books Publisher: Some people had rights, while others had none.
Why shouldn't they have them, too?
Two friends, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, get together for tea and conversation. They recount their similar stories fighting to win rights for women and African-Americans. The premise of this particular exchange between the two is based on a statue in their hometown of Rochester, New York, which shows the two friends having tea.

Nugget: Two friends were fighting the same battle, equality. One fighting for women to be treated equally and the other fighting for African Americans to be treated equally.

Need Enticement: In my opinion, the hook is in the illustration, but I wonder if children will understand the implication. I look at the image of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass sitting across from each other sipping tea and I am hooked. I know immediately, they are up to something. They are both movers and shakers. In a time in history where a woman would not be alone with a man unchaperoned. And, where an African American would not on most white  Americans--- this illustration hooks me. I want to know what is going on. I am excited to read how these two historical pioneers conspired to change our world. 

Escalation: This book is unique in the fact that until page 22 the book is basically two different biographies. All of these pages are actually setting the stage for what the book is about, and we find that out on page 23: "They promised to help each other, so one day all people could have the rights."
The story escalates as: Here is her reason. Here is his reason. Here is their promise, now let's get to work.  The story itself wasn't strong, so I just went back and stared at that opening image--- powerful.

Satisfying Ending: They would get to work. As soon as they finished their tea. 
​--- Ok, very anticlimactic.  Just go back and stare at that opening image. Imagine what the two of them truly plotted and could accomplish in today's world.

Sources: I will admit, I got much more from the Author's note than I did from the story. I would have loved to see the two at speeches together, working together, and winning their battles.
The bibliography is quite extensive and gives you lots of other sources to continue learning more about Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. There is also an actual photo of each one.

Show or Sustaining Words: Discuss 19th Amendment, Emancipation, This book will be great to introduce debate into classrooms.

Why: Since our country began people have had to fight for something, equality, acceptance, voice. It is what makes America fabulous and aggravating all at the same time. Fabulous in the fact that we can stand up and fight for what we want and argue for what we are against without fear of being imprisoned. This isn't true in many countries. But sad, that we have to fight, that people don't realize that everyone has a voice and that voice matters.

Need & Want: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass wanted to be heard; they wanted to stand up for their knew to be right. But more than anything they NEEDED Americans to listen. Their actions towards women and African Americans were not fair. Even if the changes happened after Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass walked the earth; they needed to get those changes moving.​

5 Comments
Traci Sorell
2/22/2016 11:18:12 am

Here's the nonfiction picture book you are looking for in terms of seeing them together at speeches, talking about strategy and next steps, etc. It is very well-written with a great structure to the story, compelling language, and beautiful illustrations with a wonderful author's note, timeline and sources at the end.

Friends for Freedom: The Story of Susan B. Anthony & Frederick Douglass by Suzanne Slade (author) and Nicole Tadgell (illustrator) - released by Charlesbridge on September 9, 2014.

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Kristen
2/22/2016 11:47:59 am

Thank you Traci-- I am adding that to my list now.

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Lindsey McDivitt link
2/23/2016 09:00:29 pm

Interesting, thanks Kristen. I'm not very knowledgeable about the suffragette movement, but very interested. Recently I picked up a book for adults about the major American women involved and I was surprised to learn that the vote for women was delayed for many years in order to fight for votes for African American men. And then delayed further during wartime when women agreed to suspend the campaign. Sorry! Just realized I'm going on and on!

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Kristen
2/27/2016 10:51:40 am

It is amazing how we discover these little unknown nuggets of history, isn't it?

Reply
Jilanne Hoffmann
3/1/2016 02:51:59 pm

I, too, have read the book mentioned by Traci. Perhaps a side-by-side reading is in order. Thanks for the analysis, Kristen!

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    Kristen is the author of several up coming nonfiction picture books. Following the simple points on a compass rose, Kristen finds direction in nonfiction writing.

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