Equality’s Call: The Story of
Voting Rights in America
Written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated
by Magdalena Mora
Beach Lane Books, Simon &
Schuster, 2020
“Equality’s Call: The Story of
Voting Rights in America” teaches children about how different groups of people
have fought for and gained the right to vote in America.
Our nation’s founders believed it
was vital that the people have a voice in their government, the book says. This
would happen through voting, elections, and representation.
But for many years, only a few
people were given these rights. This led to many people speaking up because “they
heard equality’s call,” the book says.
“A right isn’t a right till it’s
granted to all,” is a refrain repeated many times in the book.
The states set the rules about
who could vote, and it depended on one’s gender, race, and wealth. At our
nation’s founding, only white men with property could vote.
First, white men who didn’t own
property gained the right to vote. Then people spoke out against slavery, there
was a war, and slavery ended. An amendment was passed.
Then all men could vote,
according to the law. Yet, taxes and tests denied some the right to vote.
Next, suffragists fought for women’s
right to vote. The Nineteenth Amendment gave them the vote.
Still voters of color were
oppressed and denied the vote. Legislation was passed to extend voting rights
to them.
The mission of protecting the right
to vote isn’t over, the book says. “Democracy’s dream must be constantly
tended.”
When we vote, we acknowledge all
those who have fought for voting rights. We honor those rights and answer
equality’s call, the book says.
Author Deborah Diesen tells the
story in a regular anapestic dimeter rhyming every other line. The word choice
is usually pretty good, but occasionally a little forced or unnatural sounding.
Magdalena Mora’s colorful
illustrations bring the book to life.
After the story, Diesen gives
more detailed information. She explains amendments and legislation pertaining
to voting rights. Then she lists voting rights activists.
It’s interesting how she includes
small pictures of many of the activists, pictures that have appeared in the
book. Children will enjoy going back and finding these pictures.
About the Author
Deborah Diesen is the
author of many picture books for children, including the “New York Times”
bestseller “The Pout-Pout Fish.” She loves words and rhymes and rhythms. “Equality’s
Call” is her first nonfiction picture book. She and her family live in
Michigan.
About the Illustrator
Magdalena Mora is an
illustrator who is passionate about visual storytelling and graphic design as a
tool for social change. “Equality’s Call” is her first picture book. She lives
in Minneapolis, MN.
