One Step Forward

by Marcie Flinchum Atkins

One Step Forward is a compelling debut YA historical fiction novel in verse about Matilda Young—the youngest American suffragist imprisoned for picketing the White House to demand women’s right to vote.

Raised in a politically divided family, Matilda wondered if she could be as courageous as her older sister who fought for suffrage. Joining the radical protest movement came with plenty of risk. Women were routinely scorned, harassed, arrested—and worse. And taking a stand for her rights could tear her family apart.

Told in powerful verse, One Step Forward follows Matilda's coming-of-age journey as she takes her first step into action. Amid the backdrop of World War I, Matilda’s story vividly highlights the extreme mental, physical, and emotional battles faced by the protestors leading up to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment. It also reveals the bravery, hard work, and spirit of the women who paved the way for future generations to use their voices and votes.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Poetry, Historical, Feminism, Coming Of Age, Novel In Verse

320 pages, Hardcover

First published March 4, 2025

Reviews

[Alexa Blart, Library Cop · Rating 3 out of 5]

An extremely well-researched (the extensive footnotes at the end of the book are one of the strongest parts) novel in verse about the suffrage movement, told through the eyes of Matilda Young, the (aptly named) youngest suffragist to be thrown in jail. Atkins paints a deft picture of Matilda's journey from curious fourteen-year-old to eager but frightened suffragist to firebrand who, on the advice from suffrage leader Alice Paul, still feels fear but does not allow it to stop her. Especially in These Divided Times, I think this is an important book for young people to read—I'm a beneficiary of the suffrage movement, and even I, at my big age, was completely unaware of just how horrendous things were for the suffragists. And how, despite the horror, they didn't stop fighting until the fight was won, all so their daughters' daughters—us—could have a right that I think too many of us take for granted. (Also this book pairs nicely with the soundtrack to the Broadway musical Suffs, which made me cry no fewer than four times—all of that BEFORE I had to watch a woman lose the presidency to a Cheeto-colored fascist for the SECOND time in my young life, thanks very much).

[Barb reads......it ALL! · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know, had I read this 7 months ago, this book would have hit me differently. I have always enjoyed suffragist stories, but reading this now, with women's rights again under attack, it was a more visceral read.
Typically, not a fan of books in verse, this worked with the story and characters and often left me with my heart in my throat.

[Maggie Micheals · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Step Forward was not a book I would typically read, but I have absolutely no regrets about picking up this read. Atkins manages to capture the powerful feelings, struggles, and motivations of female suffragists fighting for their right to vote, and does so in the unique and engaging style of verse. The main character and narrator, Matilda, is fiery and emotional, strong and also human. Atkins creates a character who demonstrates real emotions, like fear and admiration, and who, even in moments of weakness, displays incredible strength. One Step Forward is a powerful story about the harsh reality that was women's suffrage, and all that the women who came before us had to do to fight for their right to vote. This is truly such a powerful story that deserves to be shared with several generations to come.

[Bridget Dudzik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vote! Vote! Vote! I really enjoyed the author's note and info on the real people this book was inspired by.

[Maggie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like my public school understanding of what the woman's right to vote entails was little more than a textbook paragraph. Oh how wrong I was. I get that this was written for YA but I certainly learned a lot about American History that I didn't before reading this novel in verse.

[Hilary Fry · Rating 4 out of 5]

YA

[Sioban Sedney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was really intrigued by this novel and topic and while i did learn a lot more about how intense the struggle was for suffrage i felt like some aspects seemed so unrealistic within the main characters family. she also grows up throughout the book/a large amount of time is covered yet i feel like her maturity doesn't grow/reflect that in her voice. you can tell the author put a lot of research into the book which i respect but i found the MC's voice lacking and the audio didn't help.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the character does get braver, and the back matter is solid, I feel like the character’s voice doesn’t grow up? A well researched verse novel about overlooked historical figures.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this novel in verse, we meet Matilda Young, the youngest of a large family living in Washington, D.C. Based on a real person, Matilda is interested in the women’s suffrage movement when the book opens in 1913. At just 14, there’s not much that she can do, and her family even forbids her from going to protest marches, although she does sneak out. While her mother and older sister Joy are very active, and her older sister Rachel has a job with Senator LaFollette on Capitol Hill, Matilda’s father does not support voting rights for women. Still, Matilda is shocked to see him at a march with his boss, drinking and making fun of the women. Her brother seems caught in the middle, but her neighbor Peter is an ally. As the years pass, Matilda is able to become more and more involved, volunteering at the Congressional Union for Women’s Suffrage, handling the mail. This gives her many opportunities to meet prominent figures in the suffragist movement like Inez Milholland and Alice Paul, as well as ordinary women like Rose Winslow who worked for years in factories and wants to help young workers get better conditions. When the U.S. enters World War I, there is some talk about cutting back on protests, but older participants regret a similar move during the Civil War. Silent Sentinals are dispatched to picket the White House every day, although public sentiment tells them not to “annoy” president Woodrow Wilson while he is dealing with the war, and they suffer frequent attacks. After securing a paying job with the National Women’s Party and being moved to working the switchboard, Matilda becomes even more involved. Her older sister, along with many others, is arrested, and kept in horrible conditions in a workhouse. The women refuse to pay fines and admit guilt. Again and again, the women protest and are arrested and abused, but they don’t give up. Eventually, the war ends, and the women’s travails pay off. 1919 is a tense year as the ratification process moves slowly through the states, but eventually Tennessee ratifies the 19th Amendment in August of 1920, and women win the right to vote.

https://www.loc.gov/item/mnwp000066/
Strengths: Each section of the book starts with a specific date, which was very helpful. This is a good outline of the different events in the movement, and watching as Matilda gets older and is able to participate more and more is interesting. Her involvement with various organizations, and her relationship with other suffragists made this quite a compelling account. There are some good notes in the back about various real life people who appear in the text; it’s sad that there isn’t more information available about Young! I love that the cover captures the essential elements of a photograph of her from this time. (Image from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/mnwp000066/)
Weaknesses: Many times, the verse format leads to having to read just one word on every line, which was not my favorite thing. I do wish there had been another subplot about other things going on in Matilda’s life; a romance or friendship with Peter would add to the appeal for younger readers.
What I really think: There are few other books about suffrage; I rather regret having weeded Bolton’s 1963 Never Jam Today, but it was in very poor condition. For now, this is a good choice for readers who liked Zimet’s Roses and Radicals, Chamber’s Finish the Fight, or Kops’ exquisite Alice Paul and the Fight for Women’s Rights, but would like a fictional view of the early 19th century suffrage movement.

[Mikayla Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Atkins crafts Matilda's transformation from a passive observer to an active participant in the suffrage movement as a quintessential coming-of-age tale. This evolution is not merely about political engagement; it touches on broader themes of loyalty, self-identity, and the intricate bonds of family. As Matilda becomes more involved in the protests, she experiences the emotional highs and lows of activism, which are vividly depicted through Atkins' powerful and evocative poetry. The reader is drawn into the tumultuous atmosphere of the protests, where camaraderie among suffragists flourishes amidst the challenges they face. Matilda witnesses firsthand the myriad dangers that these courageous women confront, ranging from public ridicule to the threat of physical violence. Through her eyes, we see the harsh realities of the struggle for equality, as well as the personal sacrifices many women made in their relentless pursuit of justice. The tension within Matilda's family reflects the broader national discourse, as she attempts to balance her loyalty to her loved ones with her burgeoning desire for empowerment and social change. This internal conflict serves as a microcosm of the societal shifts occurring across the country. Atkins skillfully intertwines historical events and notable figures, such as Alice Paul, with Matilda's personal narrative, effectively illustrating how the fight for women's rights has deep roots and continues to resonate in contemporary society. The novel is not just a reflection on the past; it serves as a call to action, urging readers to consider the ongoing relevance of these issues in today's social movements. Additionally, Atkins' meticulous research is evident in her comprehensive notes at the end of the book, which include a detailed timeline of significant events in the suffrage movement, as well as resources for readers interested in exploring this vital chapter of American history further. By honoring the resilience and determination of the women who fought tirelessly for their rights, One Step Forward not only educates but also inspires a new generation to reflect on the importance of advocacy and the power of collective action.



Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for an E-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A verse novel based on real people and events stars Matilda Young, the youngest suffragist (at 19) to be jailed for picketing at the White House. The book spans several years, beginning when Matilda is only 15 and just getting involved in the National Women’s Association (NWA) by opening the mail received at their headquarters. The thought of protesting or picketing is frightening to her, especially when police start arresting some suffragists. At home, Matilda is one of four sisters, all of whom support the cause. Their mom also wants women’s suffrage but disagrees with some of the “radical” activities of the NWA, especially their protests at the White House once WWI begins; the suffragists want to put pressure on Woodrow Wilson to speak out for women’s suffrage. Matilda’s father and brother are skeptical of women’s suffrage and don’t want Matilda and her sisters to be involved; their opinions evolve throughout the story. Matilda does work up the courage to picket, and she is arrested and sent to Occoquan Workhouse for 15 days, where she lives through the Night of Terror during which women were tortured by prison guards. Many women went on hunger strikes in prison and were force fed.
The author clarifies in the back matter which parts of the narrative are historically accurate and which are born of poetic license; the events and most of the characters–especially the other suffragists, such as leader Alice Paul, are real people, though interactions and relationships are sometimes imagined. I thought this book was well written, and it did impress upon me the great courage required to be a suffragist. But, as usual, I think the verse format puts the reader at a distance from the events, partly because it feels like the narrative rushes through great swaths of time, and partly because there’s just not as much description or context that can be provided in verse. To me, for example, reading about the Night of Terror should’ve felt more impactful and immediate than the verse made it feel.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The suffragist movement in Washington, DC during the early 1900s came to life in this riveting novel in verse. Main character Matilda Young, a teenager, is following in the suffragist (not suffragette--I learned from ONE STEP FORWARD that this term was a put-down at the time) footsteps of her mother and older sisters. In 1913, she is only 14, cautiously watching others protest. By the time World War I is going full-blast, Matilda is an all-out suffragist: volunteering, marching, picketing, and being arrested and jailed in District Jail and the notorious Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia. The trials of the jailed women are described in (age-appropriate) detail and add to the vivid "you are there" quality of this page-turner of a novel.

Matilda tells her story in lyrical free verse, which creates a sense of immediacy, both for unfolding political events and for her own journey through apprehension, resolution, fear, and courage. While this could be a complicated story with its names, dates, events, and a huge cast of characters, the author uses the poems' versatility to organize the complexity into a sequence of events that are easy to understand. For example, each poem about a day of picketing is titled "Picket Day" with a number and the date, making it easy to follow. And by the time we get to Picket Day 763, February 11, 1919, we can feel the weight of the years that have gone into the campaign for suffrage.

Despite cataclysmic historical events (and I learned a LOT of history from this book), young Matilda stays firmly at the center of this story. Her journey from tentative teen to assured woman is inspiring, as is the mutual support the women and male allies give to each other.

Now, a century later, we are in a time where speaking out takes courage, and persistence is required to make our voices and views heard. Readers can take away a message from ONE STEP FORWARD--that our voices and actions, united in common cause and applied persistently, can effect change in the world.

[Rebekkah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I largely enjoyed this novel in verse that fictionalizes the experiences of Matilda Young, the youngest suffragist imprisoned for her activity as part of the "Silent Sentinels" who protested outside the White House. I appreciated that most of the characters were other historical figures, as well as how the author integrated quotes from those historical figures into the novel. Some of it is a difficult read, particularly knowing what the author describes is based on accounts of suffragists who were imprisoned during the "Night of Terror" at Occoquan Workhouse. There are extensive notes in the back that shed more light on the historical figures who make up the book's cast, in addition to how their real-life actions may have diverged from the author's fictionalization. There is also a note about Black suffragists, but I would have loved to see a mention of other minority suffragists, even if only in the back matter.

It was an interesting choice to fictionalize Matilda Young's life rather than creating a fictional character who interacts with the historical figures throughout the book, and perhaps trying to tell the story of a real person in verse made me feel a bit distant and removed from the main character. I was also a bit perplexed by the inclusion of scholarly books as recommended reading in the back matter considering this is aimed at YA readers, but I hope this book will spark interest in suffrage history and encourage readers to learn more. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5
The good: I learned about a few things I didn't already know, including the following:
-I'll remember now that Woodrow Wilson was the president who had peaceful female picketers arrested and actually TORTURED. I'll remember that Woodrow Wilson used the concept of promoting/preserving democracy to engage in World War 1, while his own female citizens couldn't even vote OR protest peacefully (basically, they had no rights as citizens). I'll remember that sometimes, the women who picketed simply put his own words about the right for democracy on their signs and were arrested for it. I finally understand how many years it took for certain women to work full-time organizing and picketing before change occurred, and these are all important things to know about our own history, and it makes our new situation in the United States, where women are essentially having their voting rights suppressed again, even more upsetting.

The Bad:
The characters aren't developed to a point where you really care about any of them; the novel in verse format is not what I'd call poetry. It seems like a shortcut for telling the story, and the content and emotional connection a reader could have was the cost. I felt very little for 2/3rds of the book. The middle part, where they were in prison and being tortured, raised this to a 2.5 instead of a 2 star book for me.

I don't know that I'd be recommending this much to teens.

[Sally Kruger]

ONE STEP FORWARD is the perfect book for Women's History Month and our current turbulent times. It addresses the fight for the women's vote during the early 1900s.

Readers are introduced to Matilda Young. History says she was the youngest suffragist to actively fight for women's rights. She was one of a family of four sisters and one brother. Her older sisters became part of the protests in Washington, D.C., by the National Women's Party. As Matilda watched, she saw the importance of the movement and began picketing with the women in front of the Whitehouse.

Matilda's parents worried about their young teenage daughter as she put her own safety on the line to fight for change. She didn't picket at first. She helped organize the picketing schedule, prepared the banners the women carried as they walked and stood in front of the White House, and offered them food and drink when their shifts were over.

Matilda eventually joined the women on the front lines of the protest. She was hired by NWP to answer phones and other communication. She was arrested numerous times and joined a hunger strike in jail that threatened her life.

Author Marcie Flinchum Atkins uses verse to chronicle the years of picketing and protest that eventually led to the successful adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment. It was a hard-fought battle, and Matilda Young was in the thick of it.

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Step Forward tells the story of Matilda Young, a real-life heroine imprisoned in 1917 for picketing the White House to demand women’s suffrage. Written in verse and covering the years from the 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession straight through to the ratification of the 19th amendment in 1920, this book works as a stunning piece of historical fiction, an inspiring coming-of-age story, and an accessible verse novel. Readers will root for Matilda while empathizing with her plight and will leave the book with new appreciation for voting rights and the efforts of those who expanded them. Atkins goes above and beyond by including extensive backmatter with further information on real-life figures, a voting rights timeline, and a section on how she fictionalized this true tale. The author also addresses the struggles of African American suffragists and the challenges they faced at the 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession and beyond. While Atkins refers to these important figures sporadically in the text, the novel focuses on white women’s push for suffrage. The backmatter also includes documented dialog used in the book, places to visit, and further reading suggestions for early readers to young adults. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this incredible debut historical fiction novel, readers follow the story of Matilda Young, the youngest American suffragist imprisoned for being a “Silent Sentinel” picketing outside the White House. Raised in a politically divided family, Matilda is inspired by her suffragist older sister and joins the radical protest movement led by Alice Paul, and readers follow along as she takes her first steps into activism as part of this larger sisterhood. Against the backdrop of World War I, Matilda’s story not only highlights her role in the movement but the physical and mental harm that the suffragists deal with to get the vote. Told in verse rather than prose, this book really gives Matilda a voice and highlights how her age and background shape her experiences as a suffragist and as a daughter. Readers will resonate with her struggles to balance her family’s values with her personal values and her desire to develop her own identity as an individual, and the incredible emotional tones really pull readers into the story. Powerful, enjoyable, and well-written, Atkins does not shy away from the hardships that the suffragists faced in this powerful, interesting, and incredibly enjoyable new historical fiction novel that readers of all ages will enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Versify for the advance copy.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Step Forward follows Matilda Young who, in real life, was the youngest suffragist arrested for picketing at just 19. We follow her as she grows in her activism, and Atkins does a great job of bringing the many emotions of her journey to life: the nervousness and excitement as she joins the cause, the fear and trauma when she goes to prison, the courage as she continues to fight, and the joy and exhaustion of finally celebrating a hard-earned victory.

I really appreciate the back pages as well, in which Atkins provides a timeline, more nuanced details, and recommended readings, films, and even places to visit. You can tell she truly dedicated so many time, energy, and research into telling Matilda's story. All in all, this is a wonderfully written homage to the countless women who persisted in the fight for suffrage and a reminder of the rights we should never take for granted.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Step Forward is a powerful YA historical fiction novel in verse that brings readers into the fight for women’s right to vote. Through the eyes of Matilda Young, the youngest suffragist to be imprisoned, readers learn of the emotional and physical struggles associated with the movement, and the persistence and pride of the suffragists in making their voices heard. Matilda’s journey in finding her own voice parallels the struggles of the time. The author’s use of the present tense and creativity with white space and line placement helps to build tension and engagement. Atkins skillfully captures the horror of jail and the harsh treatment of the suffragists. Extensive back matter including a timeline, quotes, and an explanation of what is fact vs. fiction deepens understanding and is evidence of the comprehensive research involved in the book’s creation. The relevant subject matter will bring inspiration and hope to young women and all those seeking justice as activists.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very timely book about the ugly side of the fight for women's suffrage. This verse novel gives us a glimpse into what it might have been like for Matilda Young, the youngest suggragist imprisoned for exercising her first ammendment right to free speech and peacefully picketing outside the White House in support of women's right to vote. The way she, and the other suffragists who were imprisoned, were treated during their arrests and imprisonments was horrific. Growing up in Northern Virginia, not that far from Occoquan, I knew there had been a jail in Lorton. I didn't realize it was that old or that was where these women were taken and tortured, somewhere I've driven past frequently over the course of my life.

This was a book I needed right now to remind me that progress is slow, but even when it seems hopeless, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Note: I read this as a free eARC from Netgalley

[Jamie Gordy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Harper Collins, the author, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this novel. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This is a historical novel, told in verse, about the youngest American suffragette to be arrested. Her name is Matilda Young. This book begins with the march that would have happened when she was 14 until the time women could vote in 1920.

This book was interesting. I picked it up because the cover caught my attention. I enjoyed learning more about the time and movement that secured women the right to vote. However, this book felt a bit like it had to many modern ideals overlaid on the feelings of people of the time. I am not saying they did not do tough things and survive tough things. I am saying, this main character’s thoughts felt a little too 2025 instead of 1917. Overall the book told a good story in an interesting format. The notes at the end show the research the author put into this book.

#OneStepForward #NetGalley

[brittanys.booktalk · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨✨✨✨ARC Review✨✨✨✨

"I think about each person I see and wonder:

Are you for us or against us?"

Thank you @netgalley and @harpercollins for the ARC!

One Step Forward follows the journey of Matilda Young, the youngest white American Suffragist to be jailed for protests, from her first involvement in suffrage to the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

Marcie Flinchum Atkins' debut novel-in-verse was a refreshing look at history for a YA-level book. As a person who can get super bored with a ton of details, using verse to describe and portray such a heavy topic was an excellent choice, in my opinion.

We see the protests, silent and not silent, jail time, WWI, Spanish Flu, and many other historical events that happened between 1913 and 1920.

In the current US political climate, this is an excellent reminder of where we were just a short 100 years ago.

[Caitie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fault line in our family—men vs women—grows wider, especially because of suffrage.

4.5/5 stars.

This is a powerful book about the youngest woman to be arrested for being a suffragette. Matilda Young is our main character, a young lady living during the early 1900s—a time in which women were camped outside the White House in order to gain the right to vote. The men in her family were opposed, as were most men at the time.

One Step Forward is also a dark story at times, due to the fact that it describes how the women were arrested and treated in jail. There was force feeding involved and guards who treated them terribly. The use of real life people made the story realistic for me.

However, I’m giving it four stars because of the fact that it was in verse. Due to this, I feel like it didn’t delve deeply enough at times.

[Tracey Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lyrical, historical YA novel-in-verse about Matilda Young, the youngest suffragist to be jailed for picketing at the White House. I knew nothing about Matilda, and not much about the other women fighting for the right to vote, so this was an educational read, also. I found myself fully invested in the emotional arcs of the characters, from Matilda and the other suffragists to her conflicted father and brother, who love Matilda but don't know what to make of her convictions. It's a riveting story, made all the more powerful through the author's arrangement of the text, which reflects Matilda's emotions in each scene (i.e. the verse of Matilda pacing in her jail cell is typed in a square, so you have to turn the book to read it).

There's an author's note, extensive backmatter, a timeline and bibliography, too.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book please!
What a wonderfully informative book. The format is prose/ poetry and that makes the book just fly by despite it being heavy. You kind of feel like you are in the book. Emotions are high.

This book is about women getting the right to vote. But it’s told through a real, specific person who was only 14 years old at the start of this book: Matilda Young.

Matilda would become the youngest woman ever arrested for picketing.

This book takes you on a journey from the time Matilda was 14 through the time women earned the right to vote.
As I said, this is an emotional journey. She fights, she pickets, she goes to jail, she goes on a hunger strike, and she does it all again. And the women around her do too. It’s absolutely amazing. Their strength is so inspiring!

Everyone, of all ages and genders, should read this book!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the free arc!

A fascinating book in verse about a piece of history that I never knew about. This book is about the women suffragists who picketed in front of the White House from 1917-1919. I had no idea the lengths that these women had to go through-- from picketing from days at a time to being arrested. Then, once arrested, some of these women were then tortured, force fed, and lived in horrible conditions. Their resistance and bravery is amazing! These women helped not only the House and Senate to pass the 19th amendment, but then went on to help 36 out of 48 states ratify it.

Due to the conditions described in the prisons, I would not recommend this book for elementary students. Definitely high school and perhaps for middle school.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ 3.5/5 Stars

One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins is an inspiring story about an incredible girl who overcomes challenges, making her a great role model for young readers, especially girls. The book highlights resilience and determination in a way that is both engaging and meaningful, but the verse format didn’t work for me personally—it felt more distracting than immersive. While some readers may appreciate the poetic style and find that it adds to the storytelling, I found it took away from my enjoyment. Still, the story itself is worth reading for its powerful message and the remarkable person it introduces. Thank you to netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Delanie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far one of the best books k have ever read. If you like history you will definitely like this book. As someone who doesn’t read in verse or poetry like ever I was a little nervous to start this book but it intrigued me almost immediately. I never would have thought that a young 19 year old girl would have went to jail for fighting for rights. Matilda (the main character) felt like she was my best friend and I was right there with her. Wonderfully wrote. Even though Matilda Young was a real person there is fictional twists within this book. Reading through this and learning about how females were treated while in jail for being a suffragist was insane to me.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had read this book in print instead of listening to the audio. Not that there was anything wrong with the narration or anything but sometimes I wished I could go back and reread a verse without having to skip through without knowing where it was.
Overall though, this was a really accessible way to learn more about such an important time period. The afterword gave a lot of good context and reminded readers that this is ultimately a work of fiction, but also offered books and places to get more information, and in this day and age, we need all the historically accurate information we can get!
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[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous young adult (could even be read by middle grade) historical fiction about the fight for suffrage in 1913-1919. Written in verse, from the perspective on one of the youngest (real life) suffragists of the time, Matilda Young, we learn of all that the women endured for our right to vote: the picketing, attacks, arrests, imprisonment, abuse, torture, force feeding, even death. I had no idea! This is especially profound given the times in which we are living when gerrymandering and the threat of voting rights being removed is happening. All ages can read this book and learn something. History can not and should not be rewritten or forgotten or relived.