Title: Virgie Goes to School With Us Boys
Author: Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard
Illustrator: E.B Lewis
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers;
2000
Suitable for: 5 and up
Topics: School life, African-American history,
Women’s Experience
Opening: Virgie was always begging to go to school with us
boys. All summer long she kept asking and asking.
Book Summary: All Virgie wants is to go to school
with her brothers George, Will, Nelson, Val, and C. C. But they keep saying
she's too little for the long, seven-mile walk, and that girls don't need
school.
Well, Virgie doesn't agree, and she's not gonna let anything
stand in her way.
Links to resources:
Lesson Plan for this book on page 28 of document recommended
for grades 1-2:
Why I like this book:
In post Civil War South, Virgie is determined to prove she
can go to school just like her brothers. The story is written in the point of
view of her brother, Cornelius (C.C) but you can clearly see, hear and feel
Virgie’s strength and determination. Virgie shows a lot of courage stepping
outside of the role that society has placed on her. She is brave, determined
and enthusiastic. I love that she not only learns what she can at school, but
she also takes that knowledge back to her parents, “that way, might seem like
they’ve been to school too. Learning to be free, just like us.” This is a great
book for all children but especially for girls, including the girls who are not
really into school. In this book, they see just how lucky they are to be able
to go to school and receive an education without the prejudice and challenges
that girls and women had in the past and those that still can't get equal educational opportunities in many oppressed and poverty stricken countries today.
To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with
resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books. Or click on the Perfect
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