A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women’s Rights by Kate Hannigan - ESSENTIAL

A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women’s Rights by Kate Hannigan, illustrated Alison Jay. PICTURE BOOK. Calkins Creek (Highlights), 2018. $18. 9781629794532

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL.  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MEDIUM

A true story about Belva Lockwood who advocates for girls to learn public speaking in school and be allowed physical activity there as well. She then fights to be allowed to attend and receive a diploma from law school. From here she goes on to advocate for women lawyers to be allowed to argue in all courts, defends many disenfranchised people, and finally runs for president. 

My first impression of this book was that the text was too long and would lose many young readers, but I found that it was so interesting and well paced that it didn’t feel that lengthy. The illustrations are different and stylized and will be interesting to many readers. And finally, the content is inspirational and essential in a well-rounded education on the female experience in America.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher