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Dear America: Book 28

A Time For Courage (edit title/settings)

The Suffragette Diary of Kathleen Bowen, Washington, D.C., 1917

by Kathryn Lasky (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

A diary account of thirteen-year-old Kathleen Bowen's life in Washington, D.C. in 1917, as she juggles concerns about the national battle for women's suffrage, the war in Europe, and her own school work and family. Includes a historical note.

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Summary edit see section history

Kat's mother is fighting for woman's suffarage and America is thinking about entering the Great War. Her mother joins the picket line and Kat thinks that her father might go to war. She's worried about being an "orphan", at dinner alone with her father at war, one of her sisters in college,... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Kat's mother is fighting for woman's suffarage and America is thinking about entering the Great War. Her mother joins the picket line and Kat thinks that her father might go to war. She's worried about being an "orphan", at dinner alone with her father at war, one of her sisters in college, and her other sister and mother on the picket line. When her aunt and uncle are divorced, and her cousins, one of them being her best friend, Kat is devastated. And then her sister and cousin become nurses in the war and her mother is arrested. Her family is changing all around her and Kathleen believes that her life is dull. All of these people are doing Something, while she, a fourteen- year-old girl, can't do much. What can she do?

Characters/People edit see section history

  • Kat: The main character in the book, the writer of the diary, and a girl who thinks that her life is very dull, when suddenly it changes.
  • Nell: Kat's sister, who's on the picket-line and wants America to go to war.
  • Cassie: Kat's other sister, who goes to Radcliffe, but wants to quit college to join the picket line.
  • Alma: Kat's cousin and best friend, who her exact same age and goes to school with her.
  • Mother: Kat's mother, who is fighting for women's suffrage on the picket-line.
  • Father: Kathleen's father, who is a doctor. He is supportive of his wife and the suffragette movement.
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Setting & Locations edit see section history

Washington D.C. is where this book takes place. The picket line is right in front of the White House.
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First Sentence edit see section history

Mother gave me this diary for Christmas, but I am really not quite sure what to write in it.

Glossary edit see section history

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 28 of 43 in Dear America. (publisher series)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Kathryn Lasky (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Add the publisher.
Country: United States of America
Publication Date: Add the publication date.
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 215

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

A great way to learn more history.


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