Granddaddy's Gift

by Margaree King Mitchell, Larry Johnson

When her grandfather registers to vote while living in segregated Mississippi, an African American girl begins to understand why he insists that she attend school

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Historical, 1st Grade, Fiction, 2nd Grade

Paperback

First published February 1, 1997

Reviews

[Kellie Eckert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Granddaddy’s Gift
Written by Margaree King Mitchell,
Illustrated by Larry Johnson

1. Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction
2. Summary: A little girl learns what her grandfather must do to get the right to vote in the pre-civil-rights era south. She watches as he studies for and passes the constitution test and then sees the black community come together in response to church burnings. It ends with the realization the while they have come a long way, they have still have a long way to go.
3. Curriculum connection: Use in a lesson on drawing conclusions with third-forth graders. Stop after Granddaddy is told that he has to take a test to get the right to vote and have students discuss if they agree or disagree and fill out a discussion web.
4.
a. literary area for comment: accuracy

b. Prior to the civil war few states permitted blacks the right to vote and none of them were in the south. The book accurately depicts this time and the struggles the African American community endured during this time period. The book also accurately portrays how other members of the community would have reacted to the actions taken by Granddaddy.


c. When granddaddy requests to register to vote he is told he has to take a test. After it gets out that Granddaddy has requested to register to vote people shunned the family. Some didn’t even want their children to play with little Jo.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read Granddaddy's Gift because Uncle Jed's Barbershop by Margaree King Mitchell is one of my favorite children's books. She does a lovely job in GG as well. Little Joe and her siblings live with their grandparents in rural Mississippi during the 1960s--smack dab in the middle of the struggle for civil rights. Little Joe wants to quit school because, as she says, "I already knew how to read and write, and the books we had at home were better than the books at school." Her granddaddy, who has already shown to himself to be a great lover of knowledge earlier in the book, involves her in his quest to register to vote. His desire that she learn to stand up for herself is as strong as his wish for her to be an educated and contributing member of society. All the trials he goes through have been documented in numerous places in Mississippi. His experience seems to be fairly typical, and, if anything, somewhat benign. (I was a little surprised Granddaddy took Little Joe with him to the courthouse! What if there had been rioting or shooting?!) Great book for discussions on the Civil Rights Movement with younger children. The artwork is lovely, too, with nice, bright colors.
I checked this book out from the Mississippi Library Commission.

[Lynna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ex-counselor gave me this book when we were talking about voting this coming November. It's a story that remind us never to take for granted our right to vote.

[(NS) - Heather Hayman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Granddaddy's Gift, by Margaree King Mitchell, talks about the struggle that African Americans encountered while trying to gain the right to vote. The main characters in this story are Joe Morgan and his granddaughter, Little Joe. In spite of only completing his education through 8th grade, Joe is a man who has worked hard all of his life and owns his own farmland. When it comes time for someone in the Mississippi community to register for the right to vote, Joe is the man who steps up. As a result, the entire community is faced with adversity, but during the process valuable lessons are taught to his granddaughter along the way.

This is a great book to read around Election Day in November or during African American Heritage Month in the Winter. It helps children to better understand another aspect of segregation that previously took place in our country. It is also written with language that makes it easy for children to comprehend and and will help enhance further discussion. The illustrations perfectly complement the story and give it a very personal touch.

[Natalie Brockmeier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great. I love the smudged look of the illustrations that this story had, as well as the message in it, which is to stand up for what is right even when the odds look to be stacked against you.
This book would be great in a civil rights unit as well as just a general good read for students in third, fourth, or fifth grade. This story would be a great discussion as to how different races face problems that many others don't, and more than that, that many other races don't even realize. This story could be very eye opening especially to younger students in that not everyone had the right to vote.
I could also incorporate this story in a suffrage unit, and discuss all the struggles first African Americans had to face and then the same went for women.
The language would be difficult for a younger student to understand, so I would suggest it to upper elementary or a very advanced reader in a younger grade.

[Mackenzie Sipes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It had a really good story line and lesson that can be learned. It is really neat that it is based on historical events but put into the perspective of a child. THe illustrations also were very beautiful.

Purpose:
Curricular: This could be used for an introduction to a history unit. The concept of racism can be hard for younger children to understand. Using the perspective of a child can make the history lesson a bit easier because the characters explain how African Americans received their rights to vote.

Read Aloud: The story has a lot of discrimination in it and that is a concept that young elementary students don't understand. This could create discussion on times when students felt left out and even introduce the concept of discrimination. The little girl in the story is the same age maing this idea easier for the students to grasp.

[Dannita Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grandaddy's Gift is a book that can be shared with students to help them understand the importance of education. It can also help them understand the importance of having and exercising their rights. The messages obtained through this story make it a great read and great for others to enjoy. While it helps the reader understand some of the harsh treatment that blacks received, it does not give explicit detailed accounts in a violent manner.

I was most drawn into this story when "Daughter" questioned her grandfather about why she has to go to school. The power that her grandfather had in impacting her life was what I carried away from this reading experience.

In the classroom, I would utilize this book to teach students about inferencing. I'd like to see what they can infer about what Granddaddy's Gift is, while supporting their claims with evidence.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Mississippi, this book is about one man who has the courage to register to vote at a time when abusive pressure was applied to keep Black men from voting (even though they were legally allowed to). The granddaughter observes his strength and learns some meaningful lessons.

Ages: 6 - 10

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[Michael Schwalbenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will add Granddaddy's Gift to my text set. The story is about an African American girl learning what her grandfather must do to get the right to vote in the pre-civil-rights era south. She watches as he studies for and passes the constitution test and then sees the black community come together in response to church burnings. It ends with the realization the while they have come a long way, they have still have a long way to go. This story is a great introduction to the racist laws and culture that prevented African Americans from voting.

[Andrea Thomas, Greenville · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written using easy language for young readers to understand. I would use this book in February to discuss segregagtion with the students. The little girl's Granddaddy teaches her to strive for the rights you are entitled to as citizens of the United States as he fights for the right to vote. It teaches you the importance of standing up for things, even if you are scared, and to always be proud.

[zomgliyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book for children that goes into the civil rights movement of the 1960's. This story is about a little girl whose grandfather is the first black man to be registered to vote in their town. I enjoyed reading it because it reminded me of a story that my mother would have read to me when I was younger.

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an inspiring story that i would love to share with students from 1st to 3rd grade. i would incorporate it in our social studies civil right unit. It is a good, simplified story of how the south was back in the day. This book can lead to great class discussions and writings about our rights, segregation, and even slavery.

[Tori Davenport]

This is a great story about fighting for what you believe in. The story is told from the perspective of a little girl who follows her grandfather while he fights for the right to vote. This is a great book to read to kids when talking about segregation and how hard it was for African-Americans to gain basic rights that we now all have.

[Bryson Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about segregation, and a little girl who loved her granddaddy. She loved him so much she followed him everywhere he went and copied him. The theme of this book is African American voting rights. I person liked the book, because its a sign of us today and why we have the right to vote. I recommend this book so little kids can learn more about the past.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will use this book in my classroom to help teach about the Civil RIghts movement. The story is about a girl whose grandfather took a stand against segregation by registering to vote The illustrations are beautiful.

[Shuntia Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about a girl who learns that life isn't always fair. Her grandfather was the first African American man to register to vote (he was also the first to pass the test to vote!). This story will inspire children to always strive to do the right thing.

[CanadianReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book narrative about a young girl who learns the value of an education when she witnesses her grandfather study to write a test on the constitution in order to be eligible to vote. This book would be a useful read-aloud for a unit on human or civil rights.

[Shannon Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A realistic depiction of the civil rights era. I will be reading this one out loud to my 6th graders when we study the civil rights movement and segregation!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched me and I've never forgotten.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the backdrop of the Civil Rights era and the struggle African-Americans had to get the right to vote, this story teaches a young girl the power of education. I love it!

[Rachel Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great touching story.

[Taylor Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

historical fiction
Thought this one sends a really good message while educating children about the events at the time.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction. A young girl watches her Granddaddy bravely stand up for the right to vote. Good story about perseverance and civil rights. Great for Black History Month.

[Mdkim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a girl who loves spending time with her grandfather, Joe Morgan. Since they both are always together, people called the girl Little Joe. Little Joe’s grandfather grew up on a farm because his parents did not have money to send him to school and it was during the time of segregation. Oneday, Little Joe complained about her not wanting to attend school but her grandfather insisted on driving her to school. One their way, her grandfather explained the importance of going to school and how education can help her pursue what she wanted to do with her life. Mr. Joe would bring Little Joe and her siblings to church so that they could register to vote and have a right as a citizen. Mr. Joe took the test twice to register to vote as many of the town against his actions. Finally, Mr. Joe passed the test and other people in the town decided to register to vote. Little Joe remembered the gift that her grandfather gave, which is to have education so that her voice will be heard.

The overall theme of Grandaddy's Gift is to work hard in school and to have a voice. Also, not giving up on trials and tribulations that can prevent us from achieving our goals.

Reading Granddaddy's Gift reminded me of my parents' advice, which is focusing on education so that I will have a better life. Also, it was amazing to see how Mr. Joe tried hard to have a right as other citizens in the United States. Mr. Joe also faced many challenges, but that did not stop him from pursuing what he wanted to see in his life, which was to vote.

I would recommend this book because it shows a small portion of American history and how African Americans were treated. Understanding their challenges will help us question the society we are in currently. I believe that this book will teach the children the importance of education and how it can affect their lives in the future.

[Emily Au · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Awards:
2. Grade Levels: 3 - 5
3. Summary: In 1960's segregated Mississippi, an African American girl begins to understand why her grandfather insists that she goes to school as her grandfather registers to vote. She learns the importance of standing up against prejudice.
4. Review: This gives young children insight and a glimpse of what black men had to go through just to register to vote during American segregation. It reminds people of how far we've come along and how far we still have to go.
5. In-class Use: Students can describe the characters in the story and how their actions contributed to the sequence of events. This book could also be used to introduce American history during segregation.

[Jake Passaretti · Rating 4 out of 5]

1) No awards
2) 3-5
3) Little Joe lives with her grandparents. Her grandpa is struggling for civil rights, specifically the right to vote. The grandpa takes Little Joe through his journey in gaining the right to vote throughout this story.
4) I enjoy this book because I believe it does a good job at explaining the discrimination African-Americans once faced. It is aimed at younger age groups who are much less familiar with this time period, which helps further get the idea across.
5) I can integrate this book into my classroom when teaching about segregation with the students. I can lead a class discussion on their thoughts of the story.

[Brianna]

1. International Reading Association Teachers Choice Award
2. 1-3 Grade
3. This book is about a granddaughter following her grandfather and learning that he became the first African American to pass the voting test and become a registered voter in their town. He tells her about the importance of education and voting and discusses the issues of segregation.
4. This is a good book that shows how even after slavery was abolished there was tremendous racism and segregation happening. It shows that racism has created such a power imbalance in the country and it needs to be fixed.
5. This book can be used to teach about discrimination and the power of voting.

[Samarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction
3rd-5th

This book was indeed very unique. The illustrations were unique and done in a way that I have never seen before. I really liked that about the book though. I feel as if it helped tell the story better and in a more meaningful way. I also really liked how the story is told from the child's point of view. I feel as though it allows students to see the importance of it and really relate to the content of the book. All in all I love how this book was unique from the way it was written to the illustrations on each page.

[Rebekah Waggoner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction
3rd-5th

This book was indeed very unique. The illustrations were unique and done in a way that I have never seen before. I really liked that about the book though. I feel as if it helped tell the story better and in a more meaningful way. I also really liked how the story is told from the child's point of view. I feel as though it allows students to see the importance of it and really relate to the content of the book. All in all I love how this book was unique from the way it was written to the illustrations on each page.

[Ally Knowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very sweet! It is about a granddaughter that gets to see her granddaddy register to vote. I loved how this book could be used to teach how difficult voting and racial inequality was in the past to students.