School Library Journal Starred Review

Gr 2-4--History, the subtle and not-so-subtle oppression of women, and the redoubtable character of Elizabeth Cady Stanton are made real and alive in this colorfully illustrated story set in the summer of 1880. Cordelia loves to ride on Mrs. Stanton's old horse and hear the stories of her neighbor's own girlhood. Despite her efforts to ride and excel in Greek, young Elizabeth's only praise was to hear "Oh, my daughter, you should have been a boy!" Cordelia's brother puts her down in the same way when he makes fun of her desire to prove herself a courageous rider. On election day, the children accompany Mrs. Stanton on her yearly attempt to cast a vote in the local contests. Seeing her friend's courage in facing the taunts and scorn of the men gathered at the polls, and angry at the teasing of the local boys, Cordelia makes her own protest by taking the old horse over a four-foot fence in a daring and dangerous leap forward. McCully's richly hued, softly textured paintings beautifully evoke the late 19th-century era and the small-town world of Tenafly, NJ, where the widowed Stanton spent her last years. Skillfully weaving fact and story, The Ballot Box Battle offers a history lesson pleasingly framed in a story about an independent young girl. A full-page author's note gives further information on Stanton and on the creation of the book.--Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ

ALA Booklist (Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 1996)

McCully creates a fictional neighbor for Elizabeth Cady Stanton in the person of young Cordelia, whose thoughts are almost entirely taken up by horses. Mrs. Stanton, who is age 65, tells Cordelia about her childhood and how she sought to assuage her father's grief over her brother Eleazur's death by learning and accomplishing as much as any boy. She also describes her father's reaction--How I wish you were a boy --which only made her more determined to fight for equality. Stanton then prods a reluctant Cordelia into accompanying her as she unsuccessfully tries to cast a ballot. McCully has wisely given children a protagonist they can relate to in feisty Cordelia, and she realistically portrays the child as more interested in her own concerns than in those of her famous neighbor. But the device becomes intrusive, and Cordelia's triumphant jump on horseback at the story's end feels inappropriately distracting. The misty paintings evoke the New England setting nicely, and the contrast between the fresh young child and the white-haired older lady is particularly effective. An author's note gives further information about Stanton and women's fight for the vote. (Reviewed Sept. 1, 1996)

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1996)

Cordelia, a young neighbor of Elizabeth Cady Stanton's, thinks the 'long battle for the vote' has nothing to do with her. In this fictionalized account of Stanton's attempt to vote in 1880, Cordelia learns about the elderly woman's struggle and how it relates to her. The illustrations skillfully depict the scorn of the men at the poll, Stanton's determination, and Cordelia's admiration. An author's note is included.

Kirkus Reviews

The author of The Bobbin Girl (p. 230) offers another strong, admirable character in this encounter between Elizabeth Cady Stanton and a young neighbor. Every afternoon Cordelia comes over to care for Mrs. Stanton's horse in exchange for a riding lesson—plus a series of reminiscences to which she listens politely, if not always attentively. One day, after explaining how her strenuous but futile childhood efforts to win her father's respect taught her to keep on fighting, Mrs. Stanton invites Cordelia to come along to the polls as she quixotically tries yet again to vote. Her example before a jeering (as well as, in one or two cases, admiring) throng of men and boys inspires an act of courage in Cordelia. An author's note at the end separates facts and fictions. Like Michael Bedard's Emily (1992), this book gives readers a tantalizing, child's-eye view of an American original, a challenger of social norms and expectations. McCully's dark, vigorously brushed watercolors successfully evoke both period (1880) and personalities: Stanton is a glowering, formidable presence, while Cordelia, with her straight back, pinafore, and large hair ribbon is a poised, blonde soulmate to Mirette. (Picture book/biography. 6-8)"

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

On Election Day 1880, the women's rights activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton teaches her young neighbor a lesson in gumption. """"McCully's art and story deliver [a relevant message] gracefully,"""" said PW. Ages 5-8. (Oct.)