Gender Equity
Grace For President
Summary: Grace Campbell is absolutely shocked when her teacher informs her that there has never been a woman president. Therefore, Grace inevitably decides she will become the first ever female president. Grace volunteers to be a candidate for her school's mock presidential election. Grace's confidence about the election begins to dwindle when she realizes her competitor is a popular boy in her class named Thomas Cobb. His campaign is aimed at capturing all of the boy's votes in the school. Grace decides to run her campaign differently and tries to reach all of the students throughout the school, including boys and girls. Both competitors put forth hard effort into their campaigns, but in the end, Grace claims the victory and becomes the first female president.
Critical Review
Strengths: The author, Kelly DiPuccio addresses gender equity through her brilliant words. The reference of not having a female president is addressed right from the beginning of the text. However, LeUyen Pham, the illustrator, shows diversity and multiculturalism through student interactions in her marvelous illustrations. The main protagonist of the text, Grace Campbell, is portrayed as a young African-American female. Grace’s classmates are portrayed as African American, Caucasian, American Indian, Chinese American along with many other ethnicities as well. The voting system is used as an expression of different races and cultures. This represents how each student is unique and individual but together the students choose a leader who is the most qualified for the job. This expands on the concept of diversity and gender equity portrayed throughout the text.
Awards:
New York Times Bestseller
2010-2011 Missouri Show Me Reader Award Nominee
2009-2010 South Carolina Book Award Nominee
2010-2011 Tennessee Volunteer State Award Nominee
2009-2010 Florida Reading Association Award Nominee
New York Times Bestseller
2010-2011 Missouri Show Me Reader Award Nominee
2009-2010 South Carolina Book Award Nominee
2010-2011 Tennessee Volunteer State Award Nominee
2009-2010 Florida Reading Association Award Nominee
Weaknesses: Stereotyping is clearly evident throughout several instances in the text. Grace, a female, loses confidence in winning the election when she realizes that she is running against Thomas Cobb, a male. Throughout the text, Thomas is shown working on his science experiment, playing sports and studying his spelling words and certainly not stressing about the upcoming election. Grace on the other hand is determined that hard work and persistence is the only way she can beat Thomas in the election. This is a classic example of an aged stereotype that a woman has to work harder in order to beat her male counterpart. Male and female stereotypical characteristics are also apparent throughout the text. A direct reference to typical male stereotypes such as academics and sports are shown through Thomas Cobb’s campaign. Grace’s campaign is rooted through baking, cleaning, safety and beauty which is directly referenced to stereotypical female characteristics.
Classroom Connections
Main Theme: The main theme from the text is the importance and value of hard work and courage. Young Grace Campbell proves that you can achieve anything you put your mind to, despite race or gender.
Activities: "Grace for President" is a fun and lively introduction to the concept of the American electoral system. A mock election would be an appropriate and engaging activity to incorporate into a read-aloud of the book. Not only would this activity give students an insight into the campaign process of the United States presidency but it also allows for the opportunity to teach students the value or hard work, courage and independent thinking.
Additional Resources
Kelly DiPucchio Official Website
This is the official website of the author Kelly DiPucchio. The website includes all of her books, events and contact information.
http://www.kellydipucchio.com/home.html
This is the official website of the author Kelly DiPucchio. The website includes all of her books, events and contact information.
http://www.kellydipucchio.com/home.html
Children's Literature Book Review
This Children's Literature book review discusses textual elements, themes, artistic elements and a critical analysis of of the text "Grace for President."
http://reviews-of-childrens-literature.pbworks.com/w/page/33364719/Grace%20for%20President%21
This Children's Literature book review discusses textual elements, themes, artistic elements and a critical analysis of of the text "Grace for President."
http://reviews-of-childrens-literature.pbworks.com/w/page/33364719/Grace%20for%20President%21
Time: This Children's Book Asks why There Aren't any Female Presidents
This article by Time Magazine explains the important concept behind the text "Grace for President."
http://time.com/4079909/female-presidents-childrens-book-hillary-clinton/
This article by Time Magazine explains the important concept behind the text "Grace for President."
http://time.com/4079909/female-presidents-childrens-book-hillary-clinton/
She Persisted:
13 American Women Who Changed the World
Summary: This text features 13 American women who have permanently left an impact on American culture and history. Through adversity and courage, these groundbreaking women helped to shape our country by persisting and standing up to inequality and injustice. These women include Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Clara Lemlich, Nellie Bly, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, Margaret Chase Smith, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, Oprah Winfrey and Sonia Sotomayor.
Critical Review
Strengths: The author of the text Chelsea Clinton, has been a powerful advocate for women's rights for many years. Clinton has created a powerful text that not only advertises the power of a woman's voice, but celebrates diversity. Throughout the text, the reader explores a variety of races that expand across decades that range from the civil war era to present day. The text also represents an immense span of professional fields as well as a woman with multiple disabilities.
Awards:
#1 New York Times Bestselling Picture book
#1 New York Times Bestselling Picture book
Weaknesses: "She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed American History" emphasizes the adversity and hardships that these American women had to face in order to gain equality and justice. The beginning of the text states “Sometimes being a girl isn’t easy. At some point, someone probably will tell you no, will tell you to be quiet and may even tell you your dreams are impossible.” The message of young female readers automatically expecting a lifetime of injustice can be seen as a flaw of the text.
Classroom Connections
Main Theme: The celebration of courage and persistence of 13 groundbreaking American women advertises to young readers the true power of standing up for progression and justice. This text sends a powerful message to stand up for what you believe in, even if you're standing alone. Persistence is power.
Activities: After reading the text "She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed History", young readers could participate in a mock wax museum. Each student could be assigned a historical figure from the text, do light research and then "become" a wax figure of the historical figure. This would include students dressing in proper attire and holding relevant props. Students could also research other impactful American men or women, and become wax figures for those historical figures as well. Students could invite parents and other classes to come walk through their "wax museum", where students would give a few fun facts about their historical figures as audiences walked by.
Additional Resources
Clinton Foundation Official Website
This is the official website of the Clinton Foundation. Here you can find information about Chelsea Clinton including her work as vice-chair of the Clinton Foundation, career advances and accomplishments.
https://www.clintonfoundation.org/about/chelsea-clinton
This is the official website of the Clinton Foundation. Here you can find information about Chelsea Clinton including her work as vice-chair of the Clinton Foundation, career advances and accomplishments.
https://www.clintonfoundation.org/about/chelsea-clinton
Alexandra Boiger Official Website
This is the official website of the illustrator, Alexandra Boiger. The website includes Boiger's illustrations, videos, and contact information.
https://www.alexandraboiger.com/
This is the official website of the illustrator, Alexandra Boiger. The website includes Boiger's illustrations, videos, and contact information.
https://www.alexandraboiger.com/
Clinton's International Women's Day Message
Chelsea Clinton celebrates International Women's Day by sending out the message to women everywhere stating "We have so much work to do until every girl and every woman is protected, supported and empowered."
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/chelsea-clintons-message-women-international-womens-day/story?id=53548444
Chelsea Clinton celebrates International Women's Day by sending out the message to women everywhere stating "We have so much work to do until every girl and every woman is protected, supported and empowered."
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/chelsea-clintons-message-women-international-womens-day/story?id=53548444