The narrative shifts to the years ahead as Michael grows and waits when his own turn to vote finally comes, he brings his grandfather's picture along. Granddaddy leaves in silent tears as Michael vows to vote for him someday. Michael snaps a picture of his grandfather beaming with pride as he holds his first ballot, but the pair's happiness is short-lived: after Granddaddy is forced to admit that he can't read, a deputy sends him away.

African Americans have been granted the right to vote, and Granddaddy is going to the polls for the first time. Michael thinks they might be going to the county fair, but Granddaddy tells him that their destination is even better.

Granddaddy is wearing his suit, and Michael has agreed to put on a tie. Gr 1-3-This beautiful picture book focuses on a special day. The poignancy of the story is enhanced by the warm, earth tones of the watercolor illustrations, as readers experience the lives of the grandfather and the child.Ĭertain to spark a lively discussion on the 1965 Voting Rights Act.By Grade + Interest - K to 1st By Grade + Interest - 2nd to 3rd By Grade + Interest - 4th to 5th Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books the story is straightforward and Ransome’s paintings offer literal support for the text. This engaging picture book demonstrates how the legal right to vote was derailed for many AfricanĪmericans in the mid-twentieth century.Ransome’s beautiful, lifelike watercolors show important,Īccurate period details, and the faces of onlookers telegraph the prevailing attitudes of the time. Ransome’s emotive watercolors strongly convey the grandfather’s dignity and Michael’s quiet pride as he reaches a milestone that was kept from his forebear. The plainspoken text offers a slice-of-life example of the injustices endured by African Americans during the mid-twentieth-century.īandy and Stein succinctly explore a close family bond, set against historical injustice. This seemingly simple read-aloud to introduce young readers to the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act achieves complexity in its images.Ī visually detailed tale of patience and delayed triumph that highlights an important aspect of history. Ransome renders the story in warm, realistic watercolors.It’s a message so crucial it almost can’t be delivered with too much sentiment, and the authors and illustrator of “Granddaddy’s Turn” spare none.

Granddaddy's Turn by Michael S. Bandy