Write for a Reader

I don’t usually have time to post on the weekends as my husband and I spend a lot of time outside working on our place.  We have 9 acres and there is always something to be done.  We spent part of the day at a Fall Festival giving hay rides with our tractor and trailer.  It was fun to see all of the kids in their costumes and having fun.  You can tell it’s Fall, but not by the weather here in TX.

I have been drawn to multi-cultural picture books this week, and found this one to be most appropriate as we all get ready to exercise our right to vote.  The following title would be great to add to a unit on voting as it deals with the history of the black man getting the right to vote.

Papa’s Mark by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert, is a book I just happened on in our school library the other day.  Our librarian always spotlights books that she’s recently gotten in, and this one just jumped out at me.  I’m so glad it did.

Summary from the book jacket:

“Freedom don’t come easy,” said Papa.  “My papa taught me that.”

Simms knows election day will be a big day for his papa, and for all of Lamar County.  for the very first time, Papa will get to vote.  But Simms wishes his papa could write his own name, so he could go to the courthouse with head held high.  And Simms is determined to teach Papa, because, like his father, he knows that freedom doesn’t come easy.

My Review:

I can’t say too much about this one without giving away the whole story, but I liked this book.  It is written from Simms’ point of view, a child, which I think adds so much to the story.  It is great to see this time in history through his eyes.  Simms is so excited about election time, even though he can’t vote, his Papa can.  The colored folks are going to get to vote for the first time – history is in the making in Lamar County!  All papa has ever done is put his mark, an X, where his signature should go.  Simms wants Papa to be able to write his name the way others do, not with a mark.  He is bound and determined to teach him, even though Papa doesn’t see why it’s such a big deal to Simms.  Papa wants to be able to write his name for his voting ballot, but he keeps making “chicken-scratch.”  Will Papa ever get it right?  Will he vote in the election?  Read for yourself!

Wanted to let you know about a picture book giveaway.  Bookroomreviews Weblog is giving away Mail Harry to the Moon and The Day Leo Said, “I Hate You.”