11/11/2019
In clear, vivid language, this timely volume recounts the layered history of African-American voting rights, from the 1787 Constitutional Convention to Georgia’s 2018 block against voter registration for 53,000 residents, the majority of whom were African-American. Goldstone (Unpunished Murder) traces a range of events—including the founding of the Supreme Court, the genesis of the Ku Klux Klan, and research by scientists Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer—as he details the many ways that black people have effectively been kept from exercising the suffrage that they were legally granted in 1870. Throughout, he also focuses often on how conflicts between federal and state law have continued to affect those rights. In addition to revealing looks at the roles played by notable individuals such as Booker T. Washington and Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. in the struggle against disenfranchisement, Goldstone further enriches the narrative with nuanced portraits of many lesser-known figures. In reference to the 1965 Voting Rights Act, Goldstone writes, “after more than a century, the promise of Reconstruction had begun to be kept,” but, leaping forward to contemporary Supreme Court rulings, he finds that promise potentially as “elusive” as ever. A strong, illuminating addition to the study of American history. Ages 12–up. Agent: Charlie Olsen, Inkwell Management. (Jan.)
Praise for Unpunished Murder:A Booklist Youth Editors' Choice selection* "A gripping story and a well-informed perspective on American history. Spotlighting an event seldom discussed in books for young people, Goldstone provides a complex, useful historical context for understanding issues surrounding race and justice." — Booklist, starred review* "The book is, in large part, the story of how racism evolves, persisting in laws and politics despite major social advances." — The Horn Book, starred review"This book shines a light on a shameful sea change moment in U.S. history... Difficult and necessary." — Kirkus Reviews"This is a unique look at not only the massacre in question, but also at the history and workings of the Supreme Court of the United States... This work shows a more complete history of the Reconstruction era and the way the highest levels of government were affected by a country trying to heal and make amends." — School Library ConnectionPraise for Higher, Steeper, Faster:* "For those who love history, aviation, or stories of great daring, this is pure pleasure." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Readers will breathlessly follow the race to conquer the sky." — School Library Connection, starred review* "Goldstone deftly combines captivating descriptions of the personalities — male and female — with discussion of the many improvements and ever-present hazards of early flying." — Publishers Weekly, starred review"This look at the early days of the industry highlights the thrill and awe of a watching public as well as the fact that the sky was no longer any sort of boundary." — Booklist"Armchair thrillseekers will settle in and read this one straight through." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
★ 12/01/2019
Gr 6 Up—Goldstone's thorough work captures the inconsistency of the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings involving the voting rights of African Americans, particularly in the Reconstruction and post-Reconstruction eras. For the most part, U.S. Supreme Court appointees during the post-Reconstruction period mirrored the general shift of attitude by white America toward reconciliation with the South, even if it meant ignoring or repealing the rights granted to African Americans with the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. Goldstone builds a convincing case that the Supreme Court played a pivotal role in the reversal of African American voting rights after Reconstruction. Furthermore, he offers evidence that efforts to restrict voting rights apply to the present-day Supreme Court, citing the 2013 decision to remove the requirement mandating special permission to change election laws at the state and local levels in designated areas within the country. Immediately after the 2013 decision, many states began to institute voting restrictions, including the requirement of photo identification. VERDICT Goldstone has provided new and compelling insight into the societal impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions related to voting rights. A must-buy for all high school collections.—Susan Catlett, Green Run High School, Virginia Beach
2019-09-10
What happens when the right to vote is systematically withheld from a portion of the electorate?
Goldstone (Unpunished Murder, 2018, etc.) details the complex history of voting for African Americans, including the lasting impact of major decisions made at pivotal points in American history: the Constitutional Convention, the Civil War, the 13th and 14th amendments during Reconstruction, and the 1965 Voting Rights Act and its dismantling by the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts in 2013. By interweaving stories about African Americans who fought for the right to vote and those who worked against them, Goldstone deftly highlights the adversities African Americans have faced to gain and retain access to the ballot. He unpacks many of the structural, systematic, state-sanctioned, and legal blockades to voting, including state constitutional amendments in North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, and South Carolina that insidiously virtually eliminated African American participation. Running parallel to the stories are portrayals of lesser-known heroes like Alex Manly, Judge Alexander Rivers, Cornelius Jones, and Jackson W. Giles who worked to dismantle systemic racism at the ballot box. Goldstone resurrects decades-old court cases, bringing new life to the past by clearly connecting yesterday to today and invoking current questions about which Americans have participatory access to democracy. Short chapters, ample photographs and illustrations, judicious use of illustrative quotations, and straightforward prose make this an engaging read.
A critical work. (glossary, bibliography, source notes, illustration credits, index) (Nonfiction. 14-18)
James Shippy narrates this history with deliberate phrasing aimed at young adults. After the Civil War, ratification of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments was intended to guarantee civil rights to formerly enslaved people. It quickly became apparent, however, that many states were systematically dismantling these rights—ironically, using the justice system to erode the Reconstruction-era amendments. Shippy’s subtle pauses and use of emphasis convey anger and disbelief over the litany of segregationist legislation and the twisted judicial renderings that allowed it, and conveys the determination of those striving against these efforts to thwart racial equality, particularly regarding voting rights. The epilogue is a summation of this ongoing struggle, and Shippy delivers it with fervor. If this audiobook doesn’t offend your sense of justice, you're not listening hard enough. L.T. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
James Shippy narrates this history with deliberate phrasing aimed at young adults. After the Civil War, ratification of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments was intended to guarantee civil rights to formerly enslaved people. It quickly became apparent, however, that many states were systematically dismantling these rights—ironically, using the justice system to erode the Reconstruction-era amendments. Shippy’s subtle pauses and use of emphasis convey anger and disbelief over the litany of segregationist legislation and the twisted judicial renderings that allowed it, and conveys the determination of those striving against these efforts to thwart racial equality, particularly regarding voting rights. The epilogue is a summation of this ongoing struggle, and Shippy delivers it with fervor. If this audiobook doesn’t offend your sense of justice, you're not listening hard enough. L.T. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
