Goldie Takes a Stand!: Golda Meir's First Crusade

by Barbara Krasner, Kelsey Garrity-Riley (Illustrator)

Even at the age of nine, little Golda Meir was known for being a leader. As the president of the American Young Sisters Society, she organizes her friends to raise money to buy textbooks for immigrant classmates. A glimpse at the early life of Israel's first female prime minister, who was born in Russia and grew up in Milwaukee, this story is based on a true episode in the early life of Golda Meir.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens, Jewish, History, School

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Lisa Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Category/genre for this class- picture book, historical fiction
Estimate of grade level of interest- 5-9 years
Estimate of reading level - 6-9 years
Brief description- As a girl in Milwaukee, Golda Meir (then known as Goldie Mabowehz), was already working to improve the lives of people around her. This picture book summarizes her first efforts, as a school girl, to fund textbooks for children who could not afford them.
Two characteristics of genre/sub genre and how they appear in the book- where the setting calls for it, are the illustrations authentic in detail? The illustrations in this book support the text by creating era specific information on clothing, buildings, and neighborhoods. While some reviews felt the illustrations were "flat" or "drab" in nature, I felt the illustrations communicated the environment she was living in, poor with limited resources. This book is an example of historical fiction that "weaves a fictional story around actual events or people". Goldie did grow up in a poor Milwaukee neighborhood, and actually did raise money for "poor" children to have textbooks for school.
In what ways, and how well did the book error its intended audience?- this is a book intended to five to nine year old children. I think it tells the story of a young girl empowered to change the lives of children less fortunate than she. For the kindergarten age group, this is the big take away from the story. For older children, the book provides a bibliography to scaffold the learning experience into knowledge of Golda Meir, and her role as the Prime Minister of Israel.
Awards- Sydney Taylor Book Award for Younger Readers
Reviews from Booklist, SLJ, Jewish Journal. https://www.lernerbooks.com/products/...

[Dornel Cerro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Krasner, author and blogger, has always had a passion for Jewish history. She has combined this passion with an interest in writing children’s books and has selected a dynamic subject for her first children’s nonfiction book, Goldie Takes a Stand!: Golda Meir’s First Crusade.

In early 20th century Milwaukee, nine year old Goldie Mabowehz, became concerned when poor immigrant classmates could not afford school books. Determined to help, she created the American Young Sisters Society and “ … naturally appointed [her]self president.”

But how could she and her friends raise the money? Efforts such as charging her mother’s grocery store customers a little extra, naturally failed. Giving up something she loved (candy) saved her a penny, but it wasn’t enough. Never wavering in her determination, she persuaded a local hall owner to let her use his hall for a community-wide fundraiser. Free. Amazingly, he agreed and she and her group organized a successful event, collecting enough money for school book purchases ... read my full review at Good Reads with Ronna (http://www.goodreadswithronna.com/201...).

[Rosi Hollinbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goldie is nine years old, living in Milwaukee, when she forms the American Young Sisters Society made up of her young friends who are also Jewish immigrants from Russia. Of course, Golda is the president of the Society. The topic of the meeting is school textbooks. The girls and their friends in school are struggling to learn with tattered, out-of-date textbooks. Goldie said they would each need to raise 3 cents per week, but the girls knew it was too much. Golda tried charging people extra in their family store, but people objected. By the next meeting, no one had been able to raise much money. The girls had to think big and Goldie knew just what to do.

This charming story will capture young readers' interest and leave them wanting to know more about this great lady. Of course, Barbara has added some interesting back matter about Golda Meir and places to find more information.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It's not only a children's book about Golda Meyer as a young person, it's also about the fact that she very young made a decision to try to fix a wrong she saw in the world. I think this book gives children a hopeful empowering vision. It's beautifully written and illustrated.

[Erika Dreifus]

Lovely story. Please see a full post on My Machberet: http://erikadreifus.com/2014/09/from-... .

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you build it, it's not a dream - Theodor Herzl The rest is just commentary, nu?

[Anne Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Every library should have resources on Golda Meier. I was delighted to have found this book at an estate sale and it is now in my collection.

[Michelle Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story relaying Golda Meir's childhood crusade to purchase school books for the children in her class who could not afford them. You're never too young to make a difference, great message.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book about Golda Meir's childhood activism and how she learned to speak up for those who needed help!

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goldie Takes a Stand: Golda Mier’s First crusade by Barbara Krasner, Illustrator Kelsey Garrity- Riley, Hindi Language translation by Arvind Gupta- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of a Jew, Golda Mier who had shifted from USSR to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA in 1906. Jews children we admitted to Fourth Street School, Milwaukee. They had to learn English and other subjects taught in US Schools but they did not have money to purchase text books for their children. Golda Mier organized American Young Sisters Society to collect donations for children. In her first talk which she delivered at her two- room residence at Walnut Street was attended by Clara, Regina, Belle, Frieda, Lilian. She calculated that if all children needed a Mathematics text book, each of them will need to contribute three cents per week. Golda helps her mother in the morning before school in her shop. She tries to overcharge Mrs. Plotkin Mr. Margolis for milk and bread, still she and her sister are unable to collect their share of donation. Golda plans to save the pocket money given to her mother for sweets. She plans a Fundraiser. She books a Packan Hall for free. She and her friends prepare Banners, Posters and invitations. She tries a write a speech to be delivered as President of the society. At the Fund raiser, guests, Principal, Superintendent of the school, Mr. Plotkin, Mrs. Margolis and others arrived. In the inaugural speech, Golda mentioned that it is the responsibility to the society to help students who do not money to purchase text books for school. Her friends were ready with their donation boxes and they collected donations from guests. From 1969-1974 she was Prime Minister of Israel. This is a motivating book. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short simple look at how a young Golda Meir raised money for textbooks for her Milwaukee school in 1908. She must have been quite the formidable young lady and persuasive speaker. I didn't agree with her original method of forcing people to pay more for groceries just to pay for textbooks. That seemed unfair and unethical. She should have just asked for donations. I guess this book can inspire kids to make a difference in their community.

I did not like the illustrations. The faces are wide, flat and unrealistic. Some of the dresses are made collage style with graph paper and notebook paper.

Contains a brief biographical note about Golda Meier, places to visit and bibliography.

[Erika Powers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yuk. Author made Goldie sound bossy and arrogant. Didnt care for that. For kids who want to be leaders, it's a bad example of attitude; for example, "I naturally appointed myself president." The wording also make it sound like her friends were stupid (because she was the best in math) and didn't even ask for their ideas - she just told them what to to. To me, leaders collect info, collaborate, seek advice, and make a final decision.

The illustrations are not my style; the people look gray, washed out, flat, and dead.

Would have been better id Brad Meltzer wrote it in his ordinary people change the world series.

[Deke Moulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have visited Golda Meir’s house in Kyiv, where she was born, but I honestly had no idea that she had immigrated to the United States and lived in Milwaukee before moving to Israel! This is a wonderful book to show how even very young kids can see injustices in the world and make very practical efforts to bring about tikkun olam. The art is just a little bit stiff, and most characters look the same, and look like Victorian era dolls, which would be the only downside I see in the whole book.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Golda Meir was the first woman prime minister of Israel and a person who took action from a young age. This picture book tells the true story of how, at the age of 9, she founded the American Young Sisters Society and organized a public meeting to raise money to buy textbooks for students who couldn't afford them. It is a very inspiring story with great illustrations.

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young Goldie Mabowehz always seemed to know just what to do. She made herself president of the American Young Sisters Society. Their mission was to raise enough money to buy books for children who needed them. Goldie tried to earn extra money on her own but it wasn't working. So she decided to have a gala fund raiser at the Packen hall. The Young Society wrote invitations and painted posters. Unfortunately for Goldie, the girl who always knew what to do, needed to write her speech and she had a problem coming up with it. When it was time to step out onto the stage she spoke from her heart. You'll have to read the story to see if the girls were able to raise enough money for books.

Author Barbara Krasner has recreated the life of Golda Meir's first crusade. Krasner likes writing about history, especially Jewish themed. Young readers will be inspired by this tale of adventurous and creative young girls. Brown and gray hues of color ed illustrations will take readers back in time. This fact based story will engage and educate readers about Golda Meir's ambition. Parents and teachers can use this story as a tool to teach history along with Jewish culture and traditions.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read this book at my poetry workshop in their library. It is good to hear the story of a later world leader who did some fund-raising for a cause when she was only nine years old. Goldie Mabowehz became concerned that young immigrant children could not afford school books, so she formed a group and began the journey of raising money for those needy. It’s a story of persistence to do the right thing even when it seems impossible, to find new ideas when the first ones don’t work.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even at the age of nine, Golda Meir--born Goldie Mabowehz--was a leader. The woman who would later become Israel's Prime Minister spearheaded a campaign to raise money for textbooks for her classmates whose families cannot afford them. When saving her own money and charging customers in her family store a little bit extra doesn't result in enough money, she decides to give a speech encouraging others to be generous. I liked the story and the softly-colored illustrations that accompany it, but it's told in a rather stilted way, and Goldie seems almost insufferably bossy.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I enjoyed this story of the dedication that Golda Meir, then Goldie Mabowehz, had for helping others, organization of a project, and the poise and spirit to pull it off, I do not see this as a first purchase. There is not enough information for biography reports in the story or in the notes at the end. If you are looking for a book that will encourage a young girl to step out of her comfort zone and find a cause, this book will do just that.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an early story about Golda Meir and how she began to make a difference early on. The story showed Golda's leadership and organizational skills and how she used these skills early on to achieve goals.
Golda still had a lot of these qualities continue through until her later years as Israel's first woman Prime Minister.
I liked the story and I liked the mention, that was given, how Golda rarely wrote speeches, she merely spoke from the heart.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As president of the American Young Sisters Society in Milwaukee, nine-year-old Golda Meir organizes a fundraising campaign to buy school books for poor children. Factual events but the dialogue is invented.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goldie is a mover and a shaker, and she gets stuff done. When her ideas don't work out, she has other ones. This picture book is good for kids to read for those reasons. It also features some great examples of non-WWII Jewish characters, and go girl power!

[Harla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you know Golda Meir grew up in Milwaukee? I did not and loved learning it from this book. Fun and informative! I love it!

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good "girl power" book. I like that Goldie was kind of bossy and it's portrayed in a positive light. Bossy girls get shit done!

[Jasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fictional true story of Goldie Meir. A young girl who sees a problem in her school and fixes at by raising money from her community.

[Elizabeth]

A fictionalized version of the true story of Golda Meir as a child in Milwaukee raising money for textbooks for children who didn't have any.