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Rise Up with a Song: The True Story of Ethel Smyth, Suffragette Composer
The first-ever picture book about Ethel Smyth, the world-famous composer and suffragette!
In 1867 England, a girl learned to be proper and speak when spoken to. But one girl marched to a different beat. Ethel Smyth climbed fences, explored graveyards, and yearned to become a famous composer at a time when only men could publish their music. But become a composer she did, first signing her music as E. Smyth so people couldn't guess her gender, then eventually writing openly as a woman (but still sometimes not getting paid!). Ethel had had enough. She joined the suffragette movement, marching in the streets and fighting for the right to vote. She even composed the famous "March of the Women" battle cry―and directed it from her cell window with a toothbrush when she was put into prison.
In superb text and stunning illustrations, Rise Up With a Song tells this remarkable story of Ethel Smyth, the woman who refused to stay down and who used her music to change the fate of women around the world. Backmatter includes a brief bio of Ethel's musical life, a list of famous works, and even a fascimile of her famous "March of the Women." An essential addition to musical and feminist libraries everywhere!
In 1867 England, a girl learned to be proper and speak when spoken to. But one girl marched to a different beat. Ethel Smyth climbed fences, explored graveyards, and yearned to become a famous composer at a time when only men could publish their music. But become a composer she did, first signing her music as E. Smyth so people couldn't guess her gender, then eventually writing openly as a woman (but still sometimes not getting paid!). Ethel had had enough. She joined the suffragette movement, marching in the streets and fighting for the right to vote. She even composed the famous "March of the Women" battle cry―and directed it from her cell window with a toothbrush when she was put into prison.
In superb text and stunning illustrations, Rise Up With a Song tells this remarkable story of Ethel Smyth, the woman who refused to stay down and who used her music to change the fate of women around the world. Backmatter includes a brief bio of Ethel's musical life, a list of famous works, and even a fascimile of her famous "March of the Women." An essential addition to musical and feminist libraries everywhere!
32 pages, Hardcover
Published November 22, 2022
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 2, 2023
Inspiring! Wish I could meet her!
December 31, 2022
“I feel I must fight for my music, because I want women to turn their minds to big and difficult jobs; not just to go on hugging the shore, afraid to be put out to sea.”
-Ethel Smyth 💜
-Ethel Smyth 💜
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December 12, 2023I did not know anything about Ethel Smyth before reading this book, and she was an accomplished composer. She lived in a time where female composers were discounted. Because if the inequity, she became active in the suffrajette movement in the UK, and she composed a song that was about fighting for equality. (But she has composed a lot of works. )
The book depicts her life as a carefree child who defied the constraints put on her. She had a governess who taught her how to play the piano, which gave her ambition to attend a conservatory of music. She did attend, graduate, and composed quite a bit-at first by just using her last name. When using her first name led to not getting published and not having musicians perform he work, she started protesting and got herself arrested on purpose as part of flooding the jails in London with suffragettes. It was there that she wrote a protest song (depicted in the inside covers both front and back).
The back matter includes more of an enclopedic type biography, a list of her compositions, a couple of photographs, and a long list of sources / further reading.
My twentysomething daughter (who has a degree in music) was happy to learn about Ethel Smyth, too.
The book depicts her life as a carefree child who defied the constraints put on her. She had a governess who taught her how to play the piano, which gave her ambition to attend a conservatory of music. She did attend, graduate, and composed quite a bit-at first by just using her last name. When using her first name led to not getting published and not having musicians perform he work, she started protesting and got herself arrested on purpose as part of flooding the jails in London with suffragettes. It was there that she wrote a protest song (depicted in the inside covers both front and back).
The back matter includes more of an enclopedic type biography, a list of her compositions, a couple of photographs, and a long list of sources / further reading.
My twentysomething daughter (who has a degree in music) was happy to learn about Ethel Smyth, too.
December 28, 2023
There was a time in history when women had no voice. They were expected to marry, raise children, and run a household. I love learning about women who went against the norm. Diane Worthey tells the story of Ethel Smythe who was a mischievous young lady who fought the norms of her time.
Rise Up With a Song is a picture book biography of Ethel Smythe. Worthey includes additional “nonfiction” information at the end of the book: additional info about Smythe, a timeline of Smythe’s life, list of selected compositions by Smythe, as well as an extensive list of sources. Rise Up With a Song would be a useful resource when researching women in history.
Helena Percy Garcia crafted illustrations that complement the text, giving readers a taste of what life may have been like for Smythe in the late 1800’s.
Rise Up with a Song is appropriate for a K-12 Christian school library. Upper elementary and middle school students will find the book useful.
I received a complimentary copy of Rise Up With a Song. This is my honest review.
Rise Up With a Song is a picture book biography of Ethel Smythe. Worthey includes additional “nonfiction” information at the end of the book: additional info about Smythe, a timeline of Smythe’s life, list of selected compositions by Smythe, as well as an extensive list of sources. Rise Up With a Song would be a useful resource when researching women in history.
Helena Percy Garcia crafted illustrations that complement the text, giving readers a taste of what life may have been like for Smythe in the late 1800’s.
Rise Up with a Song is appropriate for a K-12 Christian school library. Upper elementary and middle school students will find the book useful.
I received a complimentary copy of Rise Up With a Song. This is my honest review.
July 2, 2024
Diane Worthey, a colleague and friend of mine, is writing important stories for young readers highlighting successful women in music history. As a gifted teacher, Worthey crafts a narrative and timeline that places the musician in her time and explores her impacts on our time. Ethel Smyth was yet another female composer who was unknown to me, but it was her dedication to the cause of women's suffrage that I appreciated most. We who have always enjoyed the privilege of voting need to be reminded of the people who literally risked their lives to fight for it.
The book is beautiful and engaging, cleverly illustrated to draw the eye around the pages. The text is almost part of the illustration as it swirls around musically. And it's a true story that could encourage young readers who don't fit into society's mold to fight for their dreams and to be who they are.
The book is beautiful and engaging, cleverly illustrated to draw the eye around the pages. The text is almost part of the illustration as it swirls around musically. And it's a true story that could encourage young readers who don't fit into society's mold to fight for their dreams and to be who they are.
July 29, 2024
This beautifully created book for grade school kids made me smile all the way through. It is the true story of British musician and composer, Ethel Smyth, who composed operas, symphonies and choral works during the time of Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Grieg. But, because she was a woman, she couldn't put her name on her creations and often didn't get paid or recognized.
She joined the Suffragettes and composed "The March of the Women" in 1911 that 5,000 women sang on marches as she directed them from her London prison window.
This creatively illustrated and well-written, exciting book is so fun to read. The best part is that it was created by a local violinist musician in my community who has taught the gift of music to many young people! You've got to love a book with a page of the music and historic photo on the inside cover pages!
She joined the Suffragettes and composed "The March of the Women" in 1911 that 5,000 women sang on marches as she directed them from her London prison window.
This creatively illustrated and well-written, exciting book is so fun to read. The best part is that it was created by a local violinist musician in my community who has taught the gift of music to many young people! You've got to love a book with a page of the music and historic photo on the inside cover pages!
February 24, 2023
This picture book biography is about Ethel Smyth, a woman who composed classical music and became a suffragette. The illustrations are lively and colorful, and the story is engaging and shares historical context without being overly preachy. This will appeal to people who are interested in books about groundbreaking women, and to people who are interested in music-oriented books in general.
People who enjoy this may also like Pitch Perfect and Persistent!: The Musical Debut of Amy Cheney Beach.
People who enjoy this may also like Pitch Perfect and Persistent!: The Musical Debut of Amy Cheney Beach.
July 14, 2023
3 stars (I liked it)
Another interesting picture book biography about a person I previously didn't know. The author of this book is into classical music and that is very obvious in the text. I wonder if I don't love the book because I am not a huge classical music fan. The book is still interesting but it get a bit technical at times. I like the spirit of determination that Worthery shows of Ethel.
Another interesting picture book biography about a person I previously didn't know. The author of this book is into classical music and that is very obvious in the text. I wonder if I don't love the book because I am not a huge classical music fan. The book is still interesting but it get a bit technical at times. I like the spirit of determination that Worthery shows of Ethel.
December 1, 2023
What a gorgeous cover!! Here lies the story of Ethel Smythe, a brilliant composer and aid in ending women’s suffrage through her songs. The story follows Ethel as a young girl and how she didn’t conform to society’s norm and then follows her into adulthood where she does the same. Inspiring and informational.
February 5, 2023
Excellent picture book about Ethel Smyth, a composer who studied with the likes of Brahms, Grieg, and Tchaikovsky who were her peers, but because she was a woman, her work is not known the way the others are.
July 21, 2024
What a gorgeous picture book biography! Beautifully written with lovely illustrations, this is inspirational and a must read for all elementary teachers and librarians to share with students. It models great writing and an un unsung talent and fighter for women's rights.
December 16, 2022
Attended a very pleasant book reading by this local author. Original music composed by Ethel Smyth was performed on violin, cello, piano and voice. It was intriguing to learn of this suffragette.
October 31, 2023
Beautiful picture book, for adults to read to little ones or advanced readers. Tells history of women getting the right to vote, both in UK and USA.
November 5, 2023
Lovely picture book biography and true story of Ethel Smyth who used her music to help change lives of women around her. Well researched and written.
July 7, 2023
The story of Ethel Smyth is presented in this wonderful biography. Ethel did not get the support for her talent that she should have; most people at the time did not think women could be composers. She was a truly amazing musician; look up all of her works - there is no question that she should have been given a much wider audience to appreciate her innovative approach to composing.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews