ONE GIRL'S VOICE: Another Winner from Vivian Kirkfield

 

Calkins Creek, 
an Imprint of ASTRA BOOKS
for YOUNG READERS, 2025

Anyone who reads my notes about picture books here will recognize the name of author Vivian Kirkfield, since I've reviewed her releases in the past, HERE, HERE, and HERE, among others. ONE GIRL'S VOICE: How Lucy Stone Helped Change the Law of the Land. Kirkfield's well-researched narrative (and back matter) is enhanced in setting, mood, character through the illustrations of Rebecca Gibbon. 

I've been a committed feminist since kindergarten (long story, but true one) and have made it a point to read and learn about past leaders whose personal progress was made despite much steeper hurdles than those still faced by women. Lucy Stone was a new hero for me, particularly because of the focus on her voice. 

We've all heard about "old times" when children should be silenced, should be seen but not heard. I was also aware of the exclusion of girls from formal education, but not aware that in the few cases of those girls who did attend classes, they were not allowed to respond aloud. WHAT?

As a girl, I had no concern about my report card in terms of academics, but whether or not the teacher would check the boxes "Talks too much" or "Needs to raise hand", or similar comments. I always had a lot to say (too much) and needed to get a handle on when and how much I should be saying. "Needs to participate more" was NEVER an issue!  For Lucy, though, writing became her early outlet. Throughout the text, exact quotations from her writings are displayed as posters, banner, or letters, revealing that the laws in Massachusetts in 1830 said the voices of girls/women DID NOT COUNT! The same was true in her own home, where her mother always adhered to her father's opinions and dictates. At home, in school, in church, women/girls had no role to speak of. (Pun intended!)

I adored the specificity of examples from her writing and from her life, finding consolation in nature and through organized resistance. That ranged from launching a secret elocution/debate club for girls, to persuading a  teacher to  allow girls to speak in class (despite rules against that), to working for the anti-slavery society, and stage appearances that drew rotten fruit and open verbal attacks. She married, had a child, and continued her travels, public speaking, and advocacy for the rights of women and girls to become the first Massachusetts woman to obtain a four year university degree. 

Don't imagine that I have given too much away. Kirkfield's narrative shares rich and impressive details about Lucy and her struggles within tight, well-paced text that are supported  perfectly by the excerpted quotations and the illustrations, including emotions and spirit. Lucy strides off the page as a fully formed girl-woman with deeply held convictions, a sense of fair play, and willingness to put herself on front lines for herself and for all whose rights are denied. 

It's March, and that means it is WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, regardless of efforts to erase such designations from public records. My longstanding position that theme months can restrict our attention, that each of these themes really involve our full AMERICAN history and  books that should be celebrated and shared all year long. Now, more than ever, the THEME MONTH idea simply allows us to turn our collective attention to the subject at hand. The concept of such special focus is meant to remind us all, to offer a degree of balance to public awareness, that many non-white, non-mainstream individuals and accounts were ignored or actively suppressed. These lesser-told narratives require our attention, deserve it, and will not disappoint.

Please read and share!