e-Audio, 04:06:53
Narrated by: Chanté McCormick
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Published by: Versify
Read from: March 12, 2025
Stand-alone
Source: Library’s Libby
Content Warning: Sexism
For Readers Interested In: Historical Fiction, YA, Novel in Verse, Feminist, Coming of AgeOne Step Forward is a compelling debut YA historical fiction novel in verse about Matilda Young—the youngest American suffragist imprisoned for picketing the White House to demand women’s right to vote.
Raised in a politically divided family, Matilda wondered if she could be as courageous as her older sister who fought for suffrage. Joining the radical protest movement came with plenty of risk. Women were routinely scorned, harassed, arrested—and worse. And taking a stand for her rights could tear her family apart.
Told in powerful verse, One Step Forward follows Matilda’s coming-of-age journey as she takes her first step into action. Amid the backdrop of World War I, Matilda’s story vividly highlights the extreme mental, physical, and emotional battles faced by the protestors leading up to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment. It also reveals the bravery, hard work, and spirit of the women who paved the way for future generations to use their voices and votes.
*MY THOUGHTS*
This was a weird one for me to read. Why? Because y’all know I don’t normally like historical fiction OR novels in verse lol But this was about a topic that I actually like, so I was ok with picking this one up.
I can say the information I gained from this was priceless. This is another person I had never heard of and I didn’t understand how. How are we still learning of women or minority figures that were the first to do something? Because they don’t want us to know anything about them. And that’s why I made it my mission to make sure I know all the people they don’t want me to know. And this time its Matilda Young, the youngest American suffragist imprisioned for picketing the White House. I found this so interesting because usually all you want to know or hear about is Susan B Anthony, so I was really into this one.
The writing style was ok tho. It was basic, but I didn’t mind. There weren’t any poems from it that stood out to me. Well not the writing parts. The content were what stood out to me. Like the one about what the conditions were like when they were in jail. And it really makes me mad that they had to worry about things like that all.
I will say I understood why they didn’t include Black women, but I still didn’t like it. The author does go into more detail in the author’s note which I appreciated. Also in the author’s note you can find more information about Matilda and more women in the movement.
This was good, but I wouldn’t say I loved it. I liked that I learned somethings and I liked that I was able to find out more about someone I already knew. Definitely going to see if we can this in Tournament of Books. The teens will hopefully learn about her and go looking more information on her. Because from the sound of this book, she’s definitely worthy.
Overall, I give this
