The history of our country is one of struggle.  From its inception to this very day, various groups have fought to prove their right to equality under the law.  Author Susan Zimet highlights one such struggle: the often-untold story of women’s suffrage with her book Roses and Radicals: The Epic Story of How American Women Won the Right to Vote.  Extremely well-researched, Zimet presents this fascinating history with a beautiful narrative style making it easily accessible, while her passion and experience shine through the pages, magnetizing the material instantly. In addition to being full of photographs of the remarkable women and men leading the fight, there are various aside sections throughout the book highlighting historical individuals or providing clarity and context to certain aspects of the time period that are so far removed from the reality younger readers experience today. 

From the pages of history and yet still so entirely relevant, Zimet gives us a poignant look at how far we’ve come and how far we still have yet to go. Roses and Radicals is a must read for all ages!
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Viking Books for Young Readers

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Deaths of many historical persons referenced; several references to abuse; reference to woman being killed by Native Americans; reference to abuse of slaves; reference to assassination of Abraham Lincoln; reference to man beaten to death; reference to scientific disection of animals; reference to women assaulted during rally march; reference to lynching; references to women be tortured in prison. 

Sex/Nudity:  None

Mature Subject Matter:

Equality, slavery/abolition, civil disobedience, oppression.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None