A Vote for Susanna: The First Woman Mayor

by Karen M. Greenwald, Sian James (Illustrator)

Overview

Great Reads from Great Places 2022: Kansas
2022 Kansas Notable Book

When Susanna Salter stood up for her right to vote, she became mayor of her town.

In 1887, the state of Kansas gave women the right to vote in municipal elections. But some men in the city of Argonia, Kansas didn't think women should have a say in choosing their next mayor, so they put a woman on the ballot—as a joke. That woman was Susanna Salter—and soon the men would find the joke was on them! Narrated by a grandmother who remembered what happened on that election day, this is the true story of a woman who stood up for her right to vote and accomplished so much more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807553138
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	10/01/2021
Series:	She Made History
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,099,951
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD590L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Karen M. Greenwald is the author of A Vote for Susanna, which was a Kansas 2022 Notable Book. It represented Kansas at the Library of Congress National Book Festival and in the Great Reads from Great Places initiative. She cofounded the #SunWriteFun writing contest, which raises money for kidlit charities, and her strategic branding efforts have earned seventeen international awards. Karen shares her Maryland office with a very noisy dog.

Sian James was born in Hong Kong and has been drawing ever since she could pick up a pencil. Having lived a previous life as an archaeologist, she likes to combine her passions for history and illustration to tell stories from the mundane to the magical.

Editorial Reviews

Great Reads from Great Places 2022: Kansas
2022 Kansas Notable Book

"Factually accurate and accessibly told."—Kirkus Reviews

"An engaging work of narrative nonfiction that has clear applications in classrooms and school libraries."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

12/01/2021

Gr 2–4—Ed wants to know if boys can bake cakes, too, or if baking is only for girls. His grandmother Dora tells him the story of Susanna Salter, a woman who defied the gender norms of her era and became the U.S.'s first female mayor when she was elected in Argonia, Kansas in 1887. The book ends with a surprising twist. Students will appreciate the straightforward language and engaging images. The colorful illustrations are appealing enough to intrigue curious readers. Historical details in the images support comprehension of the narrative and anchor students in an unfamiliar place and time. Teachers will appreciate the author's message and theme. There is also a clear application with social studies and history standards. The book is based on solid historical research and the research method is discussed in the back matter; librarians even get a mention! The back matter also includes images of and more information about Salter. VERDICT An engaging work of narrative nonfiction that has clear applications in classrooms and school libraries. Recommended for elementary collections.—Christina Salazar, Mesquite I.S.D., TX

School Library Journal

2021-08-31
A grandmother remembers when Susanna Madora Salter was elected the first female mayor in the United States.

In 1934, Dora asks her grandson, Ed, to help her bake a cake for her birthday. Though proud to help, Ed worries what his friends will say, since “only girls bake.” In response, Dora tells Ed about a girl named Susanna living in Argonia, Kansas, when only men could vote and make laws. Then in 1887, Kansas becomes the first state to enact a law allowing women to vote and run for office in their city elections. When several men warn Susanna that “women should stay out of politics” as she and other women prepare to endorse a candidate for Argonia’s local election, she ignores the bullies. Next, townsmen create a prank ballot listing Susanna as a candidate for mayor, and she surprises them by running and winning by a landslide. When Dora finishes her story and cake, she has a surprise for Ed. As Dora tells Ed this true story of her election as first female mayor in the country, she shares historical information about women’s limited role in politics along with personal details of her own experience, providing an accessible introduction to a landmark event. Simple, colorful illustrations follow Susanna’s political journey in 1887 and her later role as cake-baking grandmother in 1934. All characters present White.

Factually accurate and accessibly told. (author's note, research note) (Picture book/biography. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews