Ballots for Belva: The True Story of a Woman's Race for the Presidency [Hardcover]

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen (Author), Courtney Autumn Martin (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–5—Starting with an anecdote in which 10-year-old Belva Lockwood tried to "move a mountain," this picture-book biography introduces the woman who ran for president more than a century ago. That mountain-moving determination emerges as the recurring theme of her public life as she obtained a law degree, fought for equal rights, and ultimately became the first woman to receive certified votes during her 1884 presidential campaign. The book focuses largely on that presidential run, though many of Lockwood's other accomplishments are mentioned, such as arguing a case before the Supreme Court and her trendsetting use of an early version of a tricycle. A closing author's note and a time line fill in more details. The narrative generally provides just enough information to convey Lockwood's achievements and the challenges she faced. Though groundbreaking, her candidacy inspired opposition and ridicule, not just from men, but from women and even other suffragists. Quotes from Lockwood and others enliven the text. Her letter to President Grant regarding the denial of her law school diploma, for example, neatly demonstrates her polite but forceful personality. Handsome illustrations clearly set the time and place, and Lockwood's fortitude comes through in her posture and facial expressions. She is an appealing historical figure, and, with little available about her for younger readers, this is an especially timely and useful biography.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR
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From Booklist

As a girl, Belva Lockwood learned that she couldn’t move mountains, but as a woman, she challenged gender roles in nineteenth-century America as the first woman lawyer to appear before the Supreme Court and the first woman to “officially” run for president. This picture-book biography includes these highlights as well as a few of Lockwood’s interesting characteristics, such as her use of a tricycle to navigate Washington, D.C. It also gives a good overview of the politics of the era and points out the irony that a woman could run for president at a time when women could not yet vote. Digital–and–pencil art portray period dress and political scenes, some showing a bright-eyed Lockwood among somber, stuffy male colleagues. Pair this with Catherine Thimmesh’s Madam President (2004) for units on presidential elections and women’s history Grades 1-3. --Linda Perkins

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810971100
• ISBN-13: 978-0810971103
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,532,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an UPBEAT Historical book!!, April 17, 2009

By	Ace (East Coast) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ballots for Belva: The True Story of a Woman's Race for the Presidency (Hardcover)

A charming and beautifully illustrated book about an incredibly brave no-nonsense, "NEVER take No for an Answer" woman who ran for president in the late 19th century (even though women could not vote at the time) and received a surprising amount of votes.

As a child, Belva believed she could move mountains. As an adult, she met and conquered equally formidable obstacles.

She was not the FIRST woman to run for the presidency -- Victoria Woodhull was, in 1872 -- but unlike Victoria, who dropped out of the race, Belva made it all the way to the ballot box garnering more than 4,000 votes (remembere these were MEN voting, as women still did not have the vote back then).

Belva received support as well as censure, but she never let anything discourage her! She proved to be as formidable as those mountains (literal and figurative) that she faced all through her life and her career.

The beautifully rendered illustrations are lively, colorful, and tell a story of their own. (And I LOVE the way that cute little cat keeps popping up through the pages and through the ages.)

This is a book that should be required reading in all elementary schools.

Well done!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars This picture book biography celebrates her life and little-known achievements, November 16, 2008

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ballots for Belva: The True Story of a Woman's Race for the Presidency (Hardcover)

In 1884 men were the only people allowed to vote in national elections. One Belva Lockwood took the bold step of running for president to thwart the voting inequality - and received votes. She fought for equal treatment for women, went to law school, and even argued cases before the Supreme Court: this picture book biography celebrates her life and little-known achievements.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Presidential Election History, October 29, 2008

By	Camille "at the BookMoot!" (Texas) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Ballots for Belva: The True Story of a Woman's Race for the Presidency (Hardcover)

I always thought that Geraldine Ferraro was the first female vice presidential candidate in our nation's history.

She was not.

I knew about the presidential candidacies of Margaret Chase Smith, Shirley Chisholm and Bella Abzug but I had never heard of Belva Lockwood.

This colorful picture book biography will be a timely addition for U.S. election units as this election year has seen the presidential candidacies of Hillary Clinton and the vice presidential run of Sarah Palin.

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen tells the fascinating story of Belva Lockwood who earned one of the first law diplomas ever awarded to a woman. Even though she had completed all the course work at the National University Law School, it refused to give her a diploma until she wrote to President U.S. Grant to demand her due.

She was the first woman to practice law in the federal court and the first to argue a case before the U. S. Supreme Court. She was nominated for President by the Equal Right Pary of the United States in 1884, while women still did not have the right to vote. Interestingly, some of the strongest opposition to her run for president came from women of the National Woman Suffrage Association. Ballot fraud probably denied Lockwood a substantial number of votes. She is officially credited with over 4,000 votes. Grover Cleveland's slim, winning vote margin in New York state was probably due to votes for Belva being counted for him.

A short glossary of election terms follows an informative author's note on Lockwood's remarkable achievements. A time line of women's suffrage in the United States is also included.

This is an interesting and engaging read about a little known corner of presidential election history.