Operation Clean Sweep
Beard, Darleen Bailey. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2004
Gr. 3 rd-5 th
ISBN: 0374-38034-1; $16.00
Author: www.darleenbaileybeard.com
Synopsis:
In 1916, just four years after getting the right to vote, the women of Umatilla, Oregon, band together to throw the mayor and other city officials out of office, replacing them with women. Throw in the prospect of capturing a notorious pick-pocket and twelve year old Cornelius’ week takes on major complications with his mother’s secret political plans and his father’s re-election.
General Review:
For any child trapped between two parents, the question of who to understand and the worry about them both, shines clear in this fast paced read. When Cornelius accidentally discovers what his mother and her friends are about to do, it places him in a position no child wants to be in. Beard has captured the times in both attitude and flavor. Would make a good classroom read aloud. "The book...is lots of fun. A great addition to historical-fiction collections." – SLJ October 1, 2004
Themes: Families; American History-Fiction; Women’s Suffrage
Discussion Questions:
Standard 9; Benchmark 1
1. Why are the women so secretive about their plans to run for public office?
2. Who do you think would make the better mayor, Cornelius’ mother or father? Why and what would be the differences?
3. Did you think that adding information about Sticky Fingers Fred was important to the story? Why or why not?
4. Should Cornelius have told his father what his mother was planning to do?
5. In today’s world, why do you think there are so few women in public office?
Activities:
1. Find out when women began voting in Kansas and who the first woman mayor was of what Kansas town. Standard 1; Benchmark 5
2. Look up which states currently have women governors, United States Senators and Congresswomen. Standard 1; Benchmark 5
3. Working in groups, plan a political campaign for mayor of your town. Tell what you think should be done to help your community. Write a campaign speech and make posters. Standard 3, Benchmark 1 and Standard 5, Benchmark 3
4. Invite an elected official to your school. Give them a tour, showing what makes your school excellent, what may need to be improved and eat lunch in the cafeteria. Standard 9, Benchmark 3
5. Research how many eligible voters voted in the 2004 Presidential election. How many women, men and the age groups, for the U.S. and Kansas. Why do you think not everyone who cans votes? Would you vote? Have you ever been to a voting site? Standard 1; Benchmark 5
