Granddaddy's Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box

Reviewed by: Shannon Schinagl - Maine State Library, Augusta, Central Maine Library District

Review Date: August 11, 2015

Review

"Granddaddy's Turn" is the story of a young boy who accompanies his African-American grandfather to vote for the first time.

The writing is simple, yet poignant. I will admit that I actually cried during the last third of the book. The grandfather is given an unfair literacy test and denied the right to vote that day. Years later, after the grandfather has passed away, the boy becomes old enough to vote and remembers his granddaddy's experience on voting day long ago.

While the book is fiction, the story is all too true of many African-American voters in the southeast during the Civil Rights Movement. In fact, the author provides a brief note about voting rights during the Civil Rights Movement, and how long it took for a federal act to put an end to unfair testing.

As usual with James E. Ransome's watercolor illustrations, these incredibly detailed paintings support the text beautifully. In true picture book style, the illustrations provide much of the story and feeling that the words cannot.

While there have been a fair number of picture books published about the Civil Rights Movement, I have not encountered one specifically about voting rights. Luckily, this story is accurate and realistic, and would be an excellent addition to any collection.

While most parents wouldn't pick this book up to take home, it is a gentle introduction to voting rights for grades K-3. The concept of fair and unfair, very prevalent in that age group, will have students outraged in the very best way.

Overall Book Score: excellent