Suffragette: The Battle for Equality

Roberts’s (Rosie Revere, Engineer) handsomely illustrated history of the battle for women’s suffrage in the U.K. and the U.S. makes its American debut in time for the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Though heavily tilted toward events and key figures in the U.K., the detailed chronological account covers the multipronged fight for the vote on both sides of the Atlantic. Many of the diverse activists, such as journalist Ida B. Wells, are featured on pages of yearbook-style captioned portraits. Others, such as Britain’s Millicent Garrett Fawcett, the leader of Britain’s largest suffrage society, receive longer treatment, as do pivotal protests. Interest-piquing titles headline each double spread (“1910: Suffrajitsu”), while a conversational narrative, aesthetically pleasing page design, and stunning visuals keep the complex topic accessible. Lively scenes depict law-abiding suffragists (and more militant suffragettes) engaging in all manner of protest, often clad in lavish, ruffled Edwardian-period dress. Roberts hasn’t shied from depicting the harsh realities of a struggle that also involved racism, classism, vandalism, and violence; one graphic scene, for example, depicts the forced tube feeding of a female prisoner on a hunger strike. Vignettes of female suffragists from around the world and a bibliography wrap up this engaging, stirring chronicle. Ages 7–10. [em](Oct.) [/em]