Set between February 1914 and February 1918, this story follows the lives of three young girls during the suffragette movement and also through World War I.
Evelyn is following a traditional life but wants more, including a university education; however, she also has Teddy whom she knows she should marry. In her quest to find what she wants, she begins to attend suffragette rallies.
May attends an all girls' school but, as she grows older, she is discovering her own sexuality, finding her own way through her teenage years and her emotions. As part of a Quaker family, her strong beliefs on life and war are at the forefront of her mind as she begins to campaign for women's rights.
Nell is from a big family who are squashed into two rooms of an upstairs house. The family barely make ends meet and Nell wants to work to earn money to help her family but is thwarted by the conventions of the time. She also knows she's different: she doesn't feel right in dresses, preferring to wear her brother's clothes and she feels alone in her feelings.
The book follows the lives of all three girls; their fight for freedom as well as the right to vote and have equality. We see the sacrifices they make and the lengths they will go to to follow their dreams.
K's opinion:
This is an utterly brilliant book that expertly tackles topical and emotional issues. I found myself shouting at the book as I read the way women were being treated and spoken to, yet also felt pride at the characters and their determination to stand by their beliefs - if it wasn't for people like these girls, women wouldn't have the vote. It was for that reason that I passed the book straight on to O to read so he could begin to understand why I am so passionate about voting and equal rights - you'll see his opinion below!
I also liked the story line between May and Nell - they are clearly in love and it was gently and expertly tackled, showing the characters that this isn't something wrong or something they will grow out of.
This is a book based on real suffrage scenes and should be read by all YA (regardless of their gender). I'm sure the 'real' suffragettes would approve and applaud this book. It makes me proud and grateful for my right to vote.
O's opinion:
The suffragettes went through a lot to get the vote, and this book shows only part of the struggle. I am shocked at the things those women would do for their rights and by the fact that women could go to university but not get at degree at the end of it, even if they worked harder than all of the men.This is what made the book so gripping that I couldn't put it down.
I liked the strength of each of the main characters, especially Evelyn, who was trying to go to university and, after her parents said she wouldn't go, she started to attend suffragette movements. She wouldn't let her parents control her future.
I can't believe that it has only been 100 years since women first got the vote, but this book shows the suffering they went through to get it. Many people would call this a book for girls, but I would recommend it to anybody, boys included. This is one of the best books I have ever read. Thank you for showing me why women deserve the vote, Sally Nicholls.
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