Granddaddy’s Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box by Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein, illustrated by James E. Ransome, is a poignant picture book that tells the story of a young boy witnessing his grandfather’s fight for the right to vote in the segregated South.
Inspired by true events, this book offers a heartfelt perspective on the struggles and triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the importance of voting in shaping a fair and just society.
For educators and families, this story is a powerful tool to teach critical literacy, social justice, and the historical journey toward voting rights for African Americans. Here’s how you can engage students in a deeper exploration of the book’s themes, including a timeline of voting rights and a creative lap book project.
The Story of Granddaddy’s Turn
The story begins with the young narrator accompanying his grandfather to register to vote. Granddaddy is proud and determined, but when he arrives at the polling station, he’s met with an unfair literacy test designed to disenfranchise Black voters. Though Granddaddy doesn’t pass the test, his quiet dignity and hope for the future leave a lasting impression on his grandson. Years later, the boy—now grown—casts his own vote, fulfilling his grandfather’s dream and continuing his legacy.
This story is not just about voting; it’s about resilience, the power of representation, and the sacrifices made for freedom and equality.
Timeline: Voting Rights for African Americans
1. 1866 (passed) 1868 (ratified): The 14th Amendment
• Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved people, but does not explicitly grant voting rights.
2. 1870: The 15th Amendment
• Prohibits denying citizens the right to vote based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” However, states use poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation to disenfranchise Black voters.
3. 1890s–1960s: Jim Crow Era
• Southern states enact discriminatory laws and practices, such as literacy tests, grandfather clauses, and voter intimidation, to suppress Black voter turnout.
4. 1965: Voting Rights Act
• Outlaws discriminatory voting practices, including literacy tests, and establishes federal oversight of voter registration in areas with a history of discrimination.
5. 2013: Shelby County v. Holder
• The Supreme Court invalidates key parts of the Voting Rights Act, leading to the reemergence of voter suppression tactics in some states.
6. Present Day
• Efforts to expand and protect voting rights continue, with debates about voter ID laws, access to polling places, and representation.
Lap Book Project: Exploring Perspective and Literacy Strategies
A lap book is a hands-on interactive project that allows students to explore Granddaddy’s Turn while integrating critical literacy strategies, such as examining different perspectives.
Materials Needed:
• File folders (one per student)
• Construction paper, markers, glue, scissors
• Printouts or templates for timelines, thought bubbles, and character analysis
Sections of the Lap Book:
1. Granddaddy’s Perspective
• Create a section where students write or draw about how Granddaddy might have felt during key moments in the story, such as facing the literacy test or leaving the polling station.
2. A Different Perspective
• Ask students to consider the perspective of another character, such as the poll worker or a community member who witnessed the events. How might they explain their actions or feelings?
3. Timeline of Voting Rights
• Include a mini-timeline (like the one above) that students can cut and paste into their lap books, connecting the story to historical context.
4. Voting Today
• Add a section where students can reflect on why voting is important today. Encourage them to write about how they can honor Granddaddy’s legacy when they grow up.
5. Illustrated Quotes
• Choose a meaningful quote from the book (e.g., “One day, I’m gonna vote, Granddaddy!”) and have students illustrate or decorate it to place in their lap book.
Critical Literacy Strategies
1. Questioning the Text
• Encourage students to ask questions like:
• Why was Granddaddy denied the right to vote?
• How did this experience shape the narrator’s future?
• What connections can we make between this story and current voting issues?
2. Exploring Power and Justice
• Discuss how power is used in the story—who has it, who doesn’t, and how it changes over time.
3. Action and Reflection
• Invite students to brainstorm ways to take action today to ensure fairness and equality, such as learning about voter registration or supporting inclusive policies.
Continuing Granddaddy’s Legacy
Granddaddy’s Turn is more than a story about one family—it’s a reminder of the collective struggle for justice and the importance of never taking the right to vote for granted. By engaging students in this story through critical literacy and creative projects, we not only honor the legacy of those who fought for equality but also empower the next generation to carry their dreams forward.
What activities or discussions have you used to teach about voting rights? Share your ideas in the comments below!