Consent of the governed has been a mainstay of our country’s credo since its founding, when colonists rebelled against the rule of a monarchy from abroad. Our young country made a pledge to be self-determining, with liberty and justice for all. The right to vote is fundamental to the process of establishing a government to administer our democratic system, yet we have struggled, through the centuries, to ensure that everyone governed has a voice through their vote. Equality’s Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America by Deborah Diesen provides an exceedingly rich and engaging journey through the history of suffrage to voting rights today. The poetic narrative, in picture book format, honors the hard work of people whose resolve has moved the country forward toward full participation in elections, bringing us squarely to the challenges remaining today. Magdalena Mora’s engaging illustrations place readers in classrooms and countryside, demonstrations and public settings, where debate about the franchise takes place. The language is smooth and satisfying throughout, and the artful vignettes provide much to explore. Complex elements of governance – key amendments and legislation through the years – are presented at the end to invite discussion. Voting rights activists are introduced in an afterword, with cameos that draw readers to look back through the pages to find just where in the suffrage story they were engaged. Diesen’s book is a solid and inviting story of one of the most enduring national truths: “A right isn’t right Till it’s granted to all.” Ages six and up—all the way to adult.
Supplementary materials are available at deborahdiesen.com
