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Historical House #4
Челсі-вок 6. Дівчата за право вибору. Книга 1
12-річна Поллі мріє стати дослідницею. Проте її батьки вважають, що головна мета кожної дівчини — вдало вийти заміж і стати покірною дружиною. Ну, це вже точно ні! А як же подорожі світом, пригоди та небезпеки? Добре, що хоч нові сусідки розуміють і підтримують її. Едвіна і Вайолет — суфражистки, учасниці руху за права жінок. Вони пропонують Поллі допомогти ім з організацією маршу вулицями Лондона на підтримку виборчого права для жінок. Дівчинка, звісно, погоджується, не підозрюючи, наскільки небезпечною виявиться ця пригода…
184 pages, Paperback
First published November 19, 2004
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192 people want to read
About the author
Linda Newbery
84 books53 followersLinda Newbery's latest novel for adults is THE ONE TRUE THING. She has published widely for readers of all ages, and is a Costa Prize category winner with SET IN STONE, a young adult Victorian mystery. She has twice been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, with THE SHELL HOUSE and SISTERLAND.
With friends Adele Geras and Celia Rees, Linda hosts the literary blog WRITERS REVIEW, which features reviews, recommendations, interviews with authors and insights from booksellers.
Linda is an active campaigner on animal and environmental issues and has published a guide to compassionate living: THIS BOOK IS CRUELTY FREE - ANIMALS AND US.
She lives in rural Oxfordshire.
With friends Adele Geras and Celia Rees, Linda hosts the literary blog WRITERS REVIEW, which features reviews, recommendations, interviews with authors and insights from booksellers.
Linda is an active campaigner on animal and environmental issues and has published a guide to compassionate living: THIS BOOK IS CRUELTY FREE - ANIMALS AND US.
She lives in rural Oxfordshire.
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March 18, 2021
Про жанр. "Дівчата за право вибору" - це така собі премила й характерно молодшопідліткова повість про поворотне для дорослішання літо в житті 12-річної Поллі. Авторка дбайливо проводить героїню та читачів через низку виховних "чекпойнтів", дозволяючи спостерігачам робити власні висновки. В кількох випадках Поллі вчиняє доволі по-дурному й зустрічається із закономірними наслідками. І навіть очікуваний для жанру щасливий фінал не створює враження цукеркового царства - протягом майже двох сотень сторінок головна героїня вчиться отому самому вмінню розрізняти те, що можеш змінити, і те, з чим на якийсь час треба змиритися.
Про сюжет. Надворі літо-1914, і життя Поллі просто не може не змінитися (вона ще просто не уявляє - наскільки). По-перше, її мама вагітна, й всі розповідають дівчинці, що тепер вона буде старшою сестричкою - та вона не впевнена, як до цього ставитися. По-друге, родина її найкращої подруги переїжджає до курортного містечка, і тепер Поллі в Лондоні сама-самісінька (не рахувати ж того противного Моріса з першого поверху, правильно?). По-третє, до квартири поверхом вище заїжджають нові сусідки, і тут раптом дві "старі діви" (тм) виявляються молодими й симпатичними жінками, які не приховують скандальну таємницю. Вайолет та Едвіна - суфражистки. І якщо Вайолет - прихильниця ненасильницького спротиву, то Едвіну щойно випустили зі в'язниці - на умовно-дострокових умовах, відновитися після голодування. Отак боротьба жінок за право голосувати, про яку Поллі досі чула переважно через невдоволене гмикання старших, отримує обличчя. А Поллі тепер має старших подруг, які не беруть її на кпини за мрію стати мандрівницею-дослідницею. Як і будь-яка неофітка, Поллі починає гарячково шукати способи прислужитися шляхетній справі. І виходить це в неї... по-всякому.
Про проблематику. Щиро кажучи, я не була впевнена, що ця цілковито симпатична книжечка гарно приземлиться на українські землі, адже в Британії боротьба суфражисток - це та частина загальновідомої історії, котру в школі вчать, а в нас, ще й для аудиторії 10-14 років, все це може бути темним лісом, де незрозуміло, куди йти. Проте Лінда Ньюберрі з матеріалом працює дуже делікатно. З одного боку, необізнаність головної героїні дозволяє докладно проговорити ключові моменти: так в оповіді ненав'язливо згадують і про тактику й стратегію суфражистського опору, й про найзначущі історичні постаті, уникаючи загалом прийому "А скажіть, професоре...". З іншого боку, авторка "поляризує" героїнь-суфражисток, щоб бодай коротенько пояснити різницю між двома напрямками. Вайолет - з Іст-Енду, вона змушена заробляти на життя, її в першу чергу цікавлять права жінок з робітничого класу, ба більше - коли починається Перша світова війна, читачі разом з юною героїнею дізнаються про те, як ідейна підтримка ненасильницького спротиву кінець кінцем набуває форми принципового пацифізму. Едвіна ж - представниця верхнього середнього класу з аристократичними родичами, вона багата, освічена й може собі дозволити те, на що Вайолет, котрій треба допомагати годувати сім'ю, погодитися не готова. "Це спільна справа, а не якесь особисте досягнення!" - обурюється Вайолет, коли Едвіна шукає сто один небанальний спосіб допекти владі й знову потрапити за ґрати. При цьому образи героїнь не є штучними, а їхня конфронтація не лише допомагає розібратися в тогочасних реаліях, а й показує Поллі, що можна розходитися в поглядах та все ж робити спільну справу.
А про все інше - є в блозі.
Про сюжет. Надворі літо-1914, і життя Поллі просто не може не змінитися (вона ще просто не уявляє - наскільки). По-перше, її мама вагітна, й всі розповідають дівчинці, що тепер вона буде старшою сестричкою - та вона не впевнена, як до цього ставитися. По-друге, родина її найкращої подруги переїжджає до курортного містечка, і тепер Поллі в Лондоні сама-самісінька (не рахувати ж того противного Моріса з першого поверху, правильно?). По-третє, до квартири поверхом вище заїжджають нові сусідки, і тут раптом дві "старі діви" (тм) виявляються молодими й симпатичними жінками, які не приховують скандальну таємницю. Вайолет та Едвіна - суфражистки. І якщо Вайолет - прихильниця ненасильницького спротиву, то Едвіну щойно випустили зі в'язниці - на умовно-дострокових умовах, відновитися після голодування. Отак боротьба жінок за право голосувати, про яку Поллі досі чула переважно через невдоволене гмикання старших, отримує обличчя. А Поллі тепер має старших подруг, які не беруть її на кпини за мрію стати мандрівницею-дослідницею. Як і будь-яка неофітка, Поллі починає гарячково шукати способи прислужитися шляхетній справі. І виходить це в неї... по-всякому.
Про проблематику. Щиро кажучи, я не була впевнена, що ця цілковито симпатична книжечка гарно приземлиться на українські землі, адже в Британії боротьба суфражисток - це та частина загальновідомої історії, котру в школі вчать, а в нас, ще й для аудиторії 10-14 років, все це може бути темним лісом, де незрозуміло, куди йти. Проте Лінда Ньюберрі з матеріалом працює дуже делікатно. З одного боку, необізнаність головної героїні дозволяє докладно проговорити ключові моменти: так в оповіді ненав'язливо згадують і про тактику й стратегію суфражистського опору, й про найзначущі історичні постаті, уникаючи загалом прийому "А скажіть, професоре...". З іншого боку, авторка "поляризує" героїнь-суфражисток, щоб бодай коротенько пояснити різницю між двома напрямками. Вайолет - з Іст-Енду, вона змушена заробляти на життя, її в першу чергу цікавлять права жінок з робітничого класу, ба більше - коли починається Перша світова війна, читачі разом з юною героїнею дізнаються про те, як ідейна підтримка ненасильницького спротиву кінець кінцем набуває форми принципового пацифізму. Едвіна ж - представниця верхнього середнього класу з аристократичними родичами, вона багата, освічена й може собі дозволити те, на що Вайолет, котрій треба допомагати годувати сім'ю, погодитися не готова. "Це спільна справа, а не якесь особисте досягнення!" - обурюється Вайолет, коли Едвіна шукає сто один небанальний спосіб допекти владі й знову потрапити за ґрати. При цьому образи героїнь не є штучними, а їхня конфронтація не лише допомагає розібратися в тогочасних реаліях, а й показує Поллі, що можна розходитися в поглядах та все ж робити спільну справу.
А про все інше - є в блозі.
December 22, 2009
Linda Newberry is a masterful writer of young adult fiction. Her prose is captivating and nowhere do you feel she is talking down to her audience. Her novels could well be called cross-over in her ability to make her stories interesting to adults as well.
Polly's March is a great introduction for all readers, especially younger ones, on political issues. The main character Polly is a young girl living with her parents in a London flat in 1914. Her two new neighbors are ladies who are active in the movement to gain the women's right to vote. Although Polly's conservative parents are dismayed at the association with these activists, Polly awakens to the lack of rights of women in society. She already understands that to be "ladylike" all the time is "very, very dull." With her goal of being an explorer some day, Polly decides that supporting the women's movement is the most important thing in her life so far.
Some great information on the suffrage movement is provided succinctly within the plot. Polly sees the sacrifices women make to promote their cause, including being shunned by their own families. One of the most valuable elements in the story in the depiction of different views within the movement itself, as the movement leaders took different paths. As World War One begins, the suffrage supporters spread themselves widely to work in the war itself and also to help the poor at home in England, showing there are many needs within the political sphere rather than just one right choice.
Pollys' March is part of the Historic House series, which includes stories that take place in the same London house during different time periods. The authors of the other volumes in the series include Adele Geras and Ann Turnbull. I intend to give these a try also. For more Linda Newberry, try At the Firefly Gate.
Polly's March is a great introduction for all readers, especially younger ones, on political issues. The main character Polly is a young girl living with her parents in a London flat in 1914. Her two new neighbors are ladies who are active in the movement to gain the women's right to vote. Although Polly's conservative parents are dismayed at the association with these activists, Polly awakens to the lack of rights of women in society. She already understands that to be "ladylike" all the time is "very, very dull." With her goal of being an explorer some day, Polly decides that supporting the women's movement is the most important thing in her life so far.
Some great information on the suffrage movement is provided succinctly within the plot. Polly sees the sacrifices women make to promote their cause, including being shunned by their own families. One of the most valuable elements in the story in the depiction of different views within the movement itself, as the movement leaders took different paths. As World War One begins, the suffrage supporters spread themselves widely to work in the war itself and also to help the poor at home in England, showing there are many needs within the political sphere rather than just one right choice.
Pollys' March is part of the Historic House series, which includes stories that take place in the same London house during different time periods. The authors of the other volumes in the series include Adele Geras and Ann Turnbull. I intend to give these a try also. For more Linda Newberry, try At the Firefly Gate.
May 23, 2018
Received in exchange for an honest review from Usborne Publishing UK.
Another version of this review can be found @ The Regal Critiques.
Girls for the Vote follows 13-year-old Polly as she finds herself dragged into a flurry of posters, sashes and women's rights campaigns when her best friend and neighbour, Lily, moves away and two suffragettes (or rather, a suffragette and a suffragist) move in to her apartment instead. Edwina and Violet are the two young women who are fighting for suffrage, among many, many others, and it is through them that Polly begins to see a world of new opportunities. A world where she gets just the same opportunities as mean Maurice downstairs.
"Lily who had recently been to her cousin's wedding, had told Polly that in the marriage service, the bride had to promise to obey her husband. That meant doing whatever he told you, the way Mama always did what Papa said. Really, you might as well stay on at school, if someone was to carry on telling you what to do and not do."
Needless to say, I absolutely loved Polly. I love how she was ready to question everything around her, I loved her spunk, and how clever she was. She always thought deeply about things and was willing to acknowledge when she was wrong and not hold back when she was being treated unfairly. It was extremely fun being in her head and seeing everything fold out from her perspective.
Seeing how her friendship with Edwina and Violet blossomed was heartening indeed, and how they slowly but surely made Polly see what their cause was all about- it never came across as too preachy. Polly absorbed all she was told and still thought about things on her own, from her perspective, in order to make more sense of what the movement was all about. Furthermore, I loved how Polly's friendship with Maurice changed over the course of the story, and it was a very important aspect of the book, I feel. More so than Polly's relationship with her best friend, Lily, though that was portrayed well too.
"Do this, do that. Be a good girl. Do as you're told. Sometimes it seemed this was all she ever heard."
Set in 1914, in a time when women were fighting for basic rights, Girls for the Vote provides a well-balanced look into the suffrage movement, depicting various views within the movement itself. Polly's journey of understanding the need for women's rights is done beautifully, and the message is sent across extremely well. Polly sees all what the women sacrifice and go through to dedicate their lives for the cause, and with the onset of World War One, she further sees how their lives are on the brink of change.
History was blended beautifully with the plot, and the author does a brilliant job in conjuring up the world of 1914 for young readers while giving a thorough look at the need for women's rights. I'd highly recommend this book for all readers, young and old, not just because it conveys its message across brilliantly, but because it does so in the most...fun way possible.
Plot: 4/5
Relationships: 5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Cover: 5/5
Enjoy factor: 5/5
Final Rating: 5/5
Another version of this review can be found @ The Regal Critiques.
Girls for the Vote follows 13-year-old Polly as she finds herself dragged into a flurry of posters, sashes and women's rights campaigns when her best friend and neighbour, Lily, moves away and two suffragettes (or rather, a suffragette and a suffragist) move in to her apartment instead. Edwina and Violet are the two young women who are fighting for suffrage, among many, many others, and it is through them that Polly begins to see a world of new opportunities. A world where she gets just the same opportunities as mean Maurice downstairs.
"Lily who had recently been to her cousin's wedding, had told Polly that in the marriage service, the bride had to promise to obey her husband. That meant doing whatever he told you, the way Mama always did what Papa said. Really, you might as well stay on at school, if someone was to carry on telling you what to do and not do."
Needless to say, I absolutely loved Polly. I love how she was ready to question everything around her, I loved her spunk, and how clever she was. She always thought deeply about things and was willing to acknowledge when she was wrong and not hold back when she was being treated unfairly. It was extremely fun being in her head and seeing everything fold out from her perspective.
Seeing how her friendship with Edwina and Violet blossomed was heartening indeed, and how they slowly but surely made Polly see what their cause was all about- it never came across as too preachy. Polly absorbed all she was told and still thought about things on her own, from her perspective, in order to make more sense of what the movement was all about. Furthermore, I loved how Polly's friendship with Maurice changed over the course of the story, and it was a very important aspect of the book, I feel. More so than Polly's relationship with her best friend, Lily, though that was portrayed well too.
"Do this, do that. Be a good girl. Do as you're told. Sometimes it seemed this was all she ever heard."
Set in 1914, in a time when women were fighting for basic rights, Girls for the Vote provides a well-balanced look into the suffrage movement, depicting various views within the movement itself. Polly's journey of understanding the need for women's rights is done beautifully, and the message is sent across extremely well. Polly sees all what the women sacrifice and go through to dedicate their lives for the cause, and with the onset of World War One, she further sees how their lives are on the brink of change.
History was blended beautifully with the plot, and the author does a brilliant job in conjuring up the world of 1914 for young readers while giving a thorough look at the need for women's rights. I'd highly recommend this book for all readers, young and old, not just because it conveys its message across brilliantly, but because it does so in the most...fun way possible.
Plot: 4/5
Relationships: 5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Cover: 5/5
Enjoy factor: 5/5
Final Rating: 5/5
June 1, 2020
Розповісти дітям про фемінізм - справа складна та відповідальна.
Треба вміти правильно подати інформацію, пояснити тонкощі (все ж, фемінізм буває різним) та не влізти в занудну патетику, після якої діти почнуть фекати та відкладуть книгу подалі. На щастя, Лінда Ньюбері чудово впоралась із завданням.
Дозвольте спершу ознайомити вас з історичними декораціями. На вулиці 1914 рік, зовсім скоро настане Перша світова. Жінки цілеспрямовано борються за право голосу, а методи їхньої боротьби часто виходять за межі норми. Вони б'ють вікна. Вони проводять паради. Вони роблять усе, аби бути почутими. Іноді платять за це ціною власного життя.
12-річна Поллі не надто цікавиться цими подіями, допоки у сусідню квартиру не заселяються дві суфражистки, Едвіна та Вайолет. Вони абсолютно різні. Якщо описати їх коротко, то це аристократка та простачка. Незважаючи на відмінності, вони товаришують та пліч-о-пліч борються за право голосу. Тут нам і показано дві різні течії фемінізму.
З притаманною дітям безпосередністю Поллі розпитує нових сусідок про їхню діяльність та
згодом розуміє, що й сама доволі феміністично налаштована, адже їй самій ближча кар'єра дослідниці, ніж люблячої дружини та мами, яка тихенько сидітиме в куточку та щось вишиватиме, а в 1914 році вибору для дівчат особливого не було.
Зокрема потішилась тому, як авторка відокремила фемінізм та чоловіконенависництво, і все це на конкретних прикладах задерикуватого хлопчиська-сусіда, до якого вже ставляться краще, ніж до самої Поллі, та її братика, який у майбутньому матиме більше прав лишень через його стать.
Легкість, з якою читаєш "Дівчата за право вибору", схожа на ті відчуття, ко��и читаєш "Пеппі Довгупанчоху". При цьому важливість теми нагадує "Вбити пересмішника". Через таку універсальність твір може бути цікавим що дітям, що дорослим.
10 втеч на парад суфражисток з 10.
Треба вміти правильно подати інформацію, пояснити тонкощі (все ж, фемінізм буває різним) та не влізти в занудну патетику, після якої діти почнуть фекати та відкладуть книгу подалі. На щастя, Лінда Ньюбері чудово впоралась із завданням.
Дозвольте спершу ознайомити вас з історичними декораціями. На вулиці 1914 рік, зовсім скоро настане Перша світова. Жінки цілеспрямовано борються за право голосу, а методи їхньої боротьби часто виходять за межі норми. Вони б'ють вікна. Вони проводять паради. Вони роблять усе, аби бути почутими. Іноді платять за це ціною власного життя.
12-річна Поллі не надто цікавиться цими подіями, допоки у сусідню квартиру не заселяються дві суфражистки, Едвіна та Вайолет. Вони абсолютно різні. Якщо описати їх коротко, то це аристократка та простачка. Незважаючи на відмінності, вони товаришують та пліч-о-пліч борються за право голосу. Тут нам і показано дві різні течії фемінізму.
З притаманною дітям безпосередністю Поллі розпитує нових сусідок про їхню діяльність та
згодом розуміє, що й сама доволі феміністично налаштована, адже їй самій ближча кар'єра дослідниці, ніж люблячої дружини та мами, яка тихенько сидітиме в куточку та щось вишиватиме, а в 1914 році вибору для дівчат особливого не було.
Зокрема потішилась тому, як авторка відокремила фемінізм та чоловіконенависництво, і все це на конкретних прикладах задерикуватого хлопчиська-сусіда, до якого вже ставляться краще, ніж до самої Поллі, та її братика, який у майбутньому матиме більше прав лишень через його стать.
Легкість, з якою читаєш "Дівчата за право вибору", схожа на ті відчуття, ко��и читаєш "Пеппі Довгупанчоху". При цьому важливість теми нагадує "Вбити пересмішника". Через таку універсальність твір може бути цікавим що дітям, що дорослим.
10 втеч на парад суфражисток з 10.
June 5, 2018
Also Posted on For The Love of Fictional Worlds
Disclaimer: A Physical Copy was provided via USBorne YA in exchange for an honest review. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are however my own.
This is a middle grade novel – one novel that I definitely plan on keeping as a keepsake to pass on to my own child(ren) one day!
It is a book that is written simply but the author has done a brilliant job of actually having a young girl as a protagonist and using her to show that there are different ways of looking at the world than what she was being taught – that we don’t need to keep our minds closed off to new thoughts, opinions and feelings; rather we should be able to take the opportunity to study the ones different from our own, and keep an open mind!
More than this, we should be strong enough to speak up when we believe that there is something wrong happening in this world – that when injustices happen, when we see one human being treated unfairly, it is our duty and responsibility to make sure that it doesn’t happen again – even if it is the norm of our life.
Girls For Vote is a book that everyone needs to read. Especially in our current scenario – where injustices and discrimination seems to be the norm of life!
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May 13, 2018
"Being ladylike all the time must be very, very dull!"
Set in 1914, a time when women weren't even allowed to vote and their choices for a livelihood were limited, Linda Newbery's GIRLS FOR THE VOTE narrates the contemporary circumstances from the perspective of Polly, a girl stepping into her teenage, coming slowly to an understanding about the need for women's rights.
When her neighbor Lily leaves and her apartment is occupied by two suffragettes, she is fancifully dragged to their cause. She, in her own little manner understands why votes for women are necessary when she understands that her arch-enemy Maurice will vote when he grows up, but she cant. She gets into several troubles due to her spirit of defiance, partly an effect, I feel, of Edwina, the fearless fighter for women's rights.
Also loved how adolescence changes her views on women's rights, being ladylike and unladylike and my favourite fun character : Maurice!
Set in 1914, a time when women weren't even allowed to vote and their choices for a livelihood were limited, Linda Newbery's GIRLS FOR THE VOTE narrates the contemporary circumstances from the perspective of Polly, a girl stepping into her teenage, coming slowly to an understanding about the need for women's rights.
When her neighbor Lily leaves and her apartment is occupied by two suffragettes, she is fancifully dragged to their cause. She, in her own little manner understands why votes for women are necessary when she understands that her arch-enemy Maurice will vote when he grows up, but she cant. She gets into several troubles due to her spirit of defiance, partly an effect, I feel, of Edwina, the fearless fighter for women's rights.
Also loved how adolescence changes her views on women's rights, being ladylike and unladylike and my favourite fun character : Maurice!
March 13, 2021
Polly lives with her family on one floor of a large town house. Below live a young boy and his family and above lives her best friend Lily. Lily moves out of town and two women move in. Polly discovered that they are suffragettes and becomes friends with them. Polly learns about the inequalities girls face and how she must fight for the right to vote and be equal to boys. Polly is a very determined character and accompanies Edwina and Violet on their work as suffragettes.
The book is fantastic at explaining to children what a suffragette is and why their work was so important for women. There are also links to how the war accelerated women being allowed to vote. A great book that could bring up some interesting discussion. I would use this book in KS2.
The book is fantastic at explaining to children what a suffragette is and why their work was so important for women. There are also links to how the war accelerated women being allowed to vote. A great book that could bring up some interesting discussion. I would use this book in KS2.
July 30, 2018
Girls For The Vote by Linda Newbery. A fascinating story of how amazing women fought for our right to vote 100 years ago.
Polly's best friend lily moves out of the flat above hers and 2 suffragettes move in. Polly's parents are shocked and forbid her to see them, but Polly is intrigued. She is determined to join them in a march, but how can she with WW1 approaching? An amazing story of courage and determination. A quick read. Very enjoyable. 4/5*.
Polly's best friend lily moves out of the flat above hers and 2 suffragettes move in. Polly's parents are shocked and forbid her to see them, but Polly is intrigued. She is determined to join them in a march, but how can she with WW1 approaching? An amazing story of courage and determination. A quick read. Very enjoyable. 4/5*.
May 14, 2018
very cute fictionalised introduction to suffragettes and suffragists for younger readers. slightly disappointed the "spinsters" weren't obviously gay, but I suppose that is what headcanons are for. If they're too young for Things A Bright Girl Can Do, this is a very worthy substitute. cute cute cute
April 10, 2023
I found Linda Newbery to be such an excellent writer and I really enjoyed reading this novel. This is the forth novel in the "Historical House" series which contains 6 novels which are a collaboration between three award winning authors including Linda Newbery.
The novels are connected to one another with this one very special house at 6, Chelsea Walk, and the extraordinary young girls who lived there during some of most fascinating periods throughout history.
Polly's march comes after "Lizzie's Wish". Young Polly's story takes place in 1914s where she discovers her new neighbours are fighting for women's right to vote. Polly, whose secret ambition is to become an explorer, soon learns that there is a choice, to choose your way of living, rather than following the conventional style by always being "ladylike."
The novels are connected to one another with this one very special house at 6, Chelsea Walk, and the extraordinary young girls who lived there during some of most fascinating periods throughout history.
Polly's march comes after "Lizzie's Wish". Young Polly's story takes place in 1914s where she discovers her new neighbours are fighting for women's right to vote. Polly, whose secret ambition is to become an explorer, soon learns that there is a choice, to choose your way of living, rather than following the conventional style by always being "ladylike."
May 13, 2008
Fast read aimed for younger readers - exploration of the suffragette movement in London just before the war - very interesting. Told through the eyes of a young girl from a very 'proper' family. This series is fascinating as it consists of 6 stories - each with different characters throughout different time periods but all set in the same house in London - interesting concept - keen to read a few more - different authors, too.
July 7, 2009
This is a great book. It has told me that if you really believe in something you can accomplish anything you desire. It also told me how unfair it was for women back in 1914. I feel very proud of the women who did feel strongly for women's rights, and did make a difference in this world. A brilliant book, I loved it.
March 10, 2015
This is the 4th book in the Historical House series. This series is getting better and better, I could not put this book down!!!! wonderful storytelling and scene setting - i really felt as though i was in 1914 when i was reading it!
A FANTASTIC book for girls aged 9 - 99!
A FANTASTIC book for girls aged 9 - 99!
January 3, 2017
It was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. It was a thought provoking book.
May 18, 2023
This is part of a series, following the occupants of a London house, aimed at middle-grade readers. I haven't read the rest of the series, but enjoyed this, which stands alone. Polly lives in a flat in No. 6 Chelsea Walk with her Mama and her Papa. Her friend has just moved out of the top flat and Polly is curious to find out about the two spinsters who have moved in in their place. She is astonished to find Edwina and Violet are suffragettes. Edwina come from a wealthy background and Polly's parents are keen to cultivate the acquaintance, that is until they find out she has just been released from prison where she has been on hunger strike. Polly starts spending time with the ladies despite her parents' disapproval, and likes that they make her think and they don't laugh at her because she wants to be an explorer. When her friend Lily comes back to visit she convinces Lily's aunt to take them on a suffrage march, where she is exposed to the violence of the opposition for the first time. But the shadow of the First World War looms around the corner. Change is coming, and Polly is ready for it. Sweetly told, this would be a good introduction for younger readers learning about the suffrage movement.
November 23, 2018
Kepergian Lily ke kota lain membuat Polly sedih karena kehilangan sahabat dekatnya. Namun, penghuni baru di flat Lily ternyata sangat perhatian dan ramah. Meski Polly masih anak-anak, Miss Rutherford dan Miss Cross memperlakukannya dengan setara. Belakangan diketahuinya bahwa kedua wanita tersebut memperjuangkan hak pilih bagi wanita. Kenyataan yang membuat mereka dipandang rendah oleh para tetangga, dan orang tua Polly melarangnya bergaul dekat dengan mereka.
Polly yang sejak lama ingin menjadi petualang dan menjelajah berbagai tempat, menemukan jalan bagi mimpinya dalam perjuangan ini. Dia menghadapi tantangan, dalam keluarga sebagai anak perempuan. Juga pergulatan batin dengan adanya calon adik yang jika laki-laki, berpotensi menggeser tempatnya.
Cerita yang sederhana, disampaikan dari sudut pandang yang sederhana. Namun, mengandung muatan yang sangat besar.
Polly yang sejak lama ingin menjadi petualang dan menjelajah berbagai tempat, menemukan jalan bagi mimpinya dalam perjuangan ini. Dia menghadapi tantangan, dalam keluarga sebagai anak perempuan. Juga pergulatan batin dengan adanya calon adik yang jika laki-laki, berpotensi menggeser tempatnya.
Cerita yang sederhana, disampaikan dari sudut pandang yang sederhana. Namun, mengandung muatan yang sangat besar.
December 11, 2022
This book was nice and well written and it receives a lot of points for showing an important topic in a clear and appealing way. I thought showing the suffragist/suffragettes and a few perspectives on them was good, and showing them through Polly's eyes was a good way to make this interesting to younger people. It also tackled the subject of different ways suffragists might think (they didn't all think the same about how to achieve their goals) and people had different thoughts on them, even people who somewhat admired them.
It is obviously a simplified book but it's a good starter to get a young person interested in learning more about what was an important movement in our history.
It is obviously a simplified book but it's a good starter to get a young person interested in learning more about what was an important movement in our history.
August 30, 2019
A wonderful little book about an independent and head-sting young girl and her family during the women’s suffrage movement and the beginning of the war.
Although brief and simple in plot, the characters were all perfectly rounded and interesting, the narrator wasn’t annoying or hard to like, and the educational and moral value was perfect.
I will definitely be keeping this in mind for teaching in the future.
Although brief and simple in plot, the characters were all perfectly rounded and interesting, the narrator wasn’t annoying or hard to like, and the educational and moral value was perfect.
I will definitely be keeping this in mind for teaching in the future.
May 12, 2020
I adored this! The only reason why it’s lower was because it if really short and I wanted a lot more character development and plot but other than that it was great!
Short and quick read but an enjoyable one with a lovely character Polly.
As someone who loves what these people did for us, this was a great quick read!
Short and quick read but an enjoyable one with a lovely character Polly.
As someone who loves what these people did for us, this was a great quick read!
June 23, 2017
I read this book with my 12 year old daughter. We both loved it! The characters, the setting and the story. We have explored more about suffragettes as a result of reading it. We will definitely read more of the fabulous series!
October 11, 2018
This was a lovely story about a young girl set in the times of the Suffragette movement. Polly befriends 2 Suffragettes and ends up getting into trouble with them. It is a lovely story and one I would recommend.
June 23, 2023
As a feminist myself, I really enjoyed reading a story set in this period, with characters fighting for the same cause we unfortunately still do. I loved the main character and seeing her learn and discover! I hope she is mentioned in the next book in reference!
January 28, 2019
A lovely book about women's suffrage in the UK that I'd definitely recommend to any child
February 3, 2019
Inspirational. Beautiful. Educational. Perfect for budding young girls.
July 28, 2020
This is actually a great book for teenagers/kids to learn from!
Such a great story, and I adore the idea of this history house. Such an important read!
Such a great story, and I adore the idea of this history house. Such an important read!
November 3, 2020
Recommended
Great read . A good inspiration for young girls .I'd recommend the book without any hesitation to my daughter and my students
Great read . A good inspiration for young girls .I'd recommend the book without any hesitation to my daughter and my students
March 14, 2024
I think this book is very interesting and explains how suffragettes suffered to have the vote.
Thanks to them men and woman are equal.
Thanks to them men and woman are equal.
September 2, 2024
Amazing book would definitely recommend to anyone who likes history or feminism
August 25, 2025
This was a really good book. Some childhood rebellion so if you don’t want your kid reading that book, I don’t recommend it. But it’s about a girl who meets two women involved in the feminist movement. I read it awhile ago, but still good.
December 29, 2018
i really enjoyed this. tempted by the companion novels now
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