Notice anything different about this issue? Talking Story has a new look and a new co-publisher. Joyce decided she wanted more time for writing and Mindy Baker stepped into her spot. Don't worry though. You'll still hear from Joyce from time to time. See the Author's Note for Mindy's background. With the election right around the corner, we're featuring books to help your students think about this important duty of citizenship--and how it was hard won by some.
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By Alice Faye Duncan
 November elections are upon us. Now is the time to speak with students about the expansion and preservation of voting rights. A good way to broach this topic is my historical picture book, EVICTED!—The Struggle for the Right to Vote. Illustrated by award-winning artist, Charly Palmer, EVICTED! explores the lives of Black sharecroppers in Tennessee, who laid the foundation for young John Lewis, Freedom Summer and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Students are clueless concerning this critical history (adults too).
I live in Memphis, Tennessee. It is fifty miles from what was called the “Tent City Voting Rights Movement.” I interviewed aging sharecroppers from this struggle. The dead also speak and would not let me rest until I had composed this forgotten voting history for young learners.
EVICTED! is composed of poetry and narratives for middle and high school students. The main character is James Junior, a selective mute, who learns to raise his voice for justice. That is the lesson each reader should take from the text. With their vote and voice—they can expand and preserve democracy for all.
Alice Faye Duncan majors in writing picture books. Memphis, Martin, And The Mountaintop was awarded a Coretta Scott King Honor Medal for illustrations in 2019. Her recent blues fable,Yellow Dog Blues, has been well received. She lives in Memphis, TN, famous for Graceland, blues and barbecue.
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by Ziyue Chen
Here is a collection of beautiful images from the book How the Women Won the Vote graciously provided by illustrator Ziyue Chen. You can find out more about Ziyue Chen's artwork here. |
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A Teen's Take On Three Books
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by Veronica Chambers and the staff at the New York Times
One of the things that made Finish the Fight! so easy to read was the bright colors and beautiful media used throughout. It would be great for about a fifth- to sixth-grade level. I had never heard of the Haudenosaunee before reading this, nor of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, or Mabel Ping-Hua Lee. It is so important to encourage young girls to learn about all the women who gave us the right to vote, not just Susan B. Anthony!
How Women Won the Vote
by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
The easy-to-understand language in How Women Won the Vote makes it a great option for about a third-grade level. The use of old photos was so cool and I loved the fun illustrations! Some of my favorite things about it were the excerpts of Alice Paul’s letters to her mother as well as the pages dedicated to what a suffrage parade needs.
History Smashers
by Kate Messner
The way History Smashers incorporates facts with fun cartoons is awesome! Because of this, I think it’s a great choice for a fourth-grade level. The information along with the illustrations successfully kept me interested, along with the Suffragist Yearbook! I also loved the modern incorporation of such a vital part of women’s history.
Norah W. is a high school senior from Fishers, IN. She loves to spend time with her friends. She plans to study law and participates in Mock Trial.
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by Alice Faye Duncan
- Since EVICTED! is divided into twelve (12) vignettes, assign one vignette per student.
- Require students to search the web and locate an audio, video or printed interview of one character from their vignette.
- Ask students to compose a Haiku or Tanka poem that makes meaning of the character’s life.
Ernest C. Whithers's photograph of a tent city family in 1960.
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We love to hear from our readers!
You can contact us through the newsletter or individually at the following social media platforms.
We're also both available for school visits.
Mindy Baker
Carol Baldwin
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Does a Teen Reviewer
Live in Your House or
Attend Your School?
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We're always looking for teen or pre-teen reviewers. If you know someone who might be interested in reading and writing a short synopsis of three books, please email us.
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PLEASE SHARE TALKING STORY!
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Have you noticed the "More" button on the top of this newsletter? If you share TALKING STORY either on social media or via email, we will enter your name in our giveaway. Please email by October 8 tell us what you have done, indicate your book preference and we will add your name to the hat!
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Did you know there is a TALKING STORY Facebook Group? We would love for you to participate and find out what other writers, educators and librarians are saying. You can also leave questions for Alice Faye Duncan which she'll answer.
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If you're having trouble emailing us, try using CHROME browser.
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Send us an
and we'll enter your name to win one of the three books below.
Each will intrigue a young reader in your life.
If you have a book preference, please mention it. We try to honor requests.
US address only!
Enter by
October 8
(Or better yet, enter right now!)
BONUS!
If you forward Talking Story
to a friend or share this issue on social media, please let us know. We will enter your name for one of these three books.
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by
Sandra Neil Wallace
and Rich Wallace
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by Mindy Baker
I am thrilled to be joining Carol as co-publisher of Talking Story. I live in Indiana and am a high school Spanish teacher. My favorite place to hang out is the coffee shop with a friend. In addition to my picture book, Mouse's Christmas Gift (Zonderkidz 2018), I am also a contributor to two upcoming Guideposts books. I look forward to connecting with you! |
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Books About
Voting Rights
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PICTURE BOOKS AND BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
by
Deborah Diesen
by
Eilsa Boxer
BOOKS FOR MIDDLE GRADERS
by
Nancy B. Kennedy
BOOKS for YOUNG ADULTS
by
Juan Williams
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Congratulations to
winners from our
Summer issue.
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Claudia Fridell won Stella.
Jane Headley won Goliath.
Dale Cutrer won To See An Elephant.
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Talking Story is an expression that the people of Hawaii use.
Random Voting Facts
1850- The earliest form of voting consisted of a citizen standing up and saying who he was voting for. Candidates bribed voters with food, rum, beer, and wine to win their votes.
1943- The Magnuson Act is passed, allowing people of Chinese descent to become citizens.
1962- New Mexico became the last state to grant Native Americans the right to vote.
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Thank you to Alice Faye Duncan for being our Author Expert.
Thank you to Calkins Creek for copies of EVICTED! and THE TEACHER'S MARCH.
Thank you to Norah W. for being our teen reader.
Thank you to Mela Bolzano, for providing us the collage from HOW WOMEN WON THE VOTE.
Thank you to Holiday House for a copy of GIVE US THE VOTE.
Thank you to Nancy Sutin for proofreading.
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