Goldie Takes a Stand: Golda Meir's First Crusade - Softcover

"Picture-book biographies are gaining more and more popularity as publishers are embracing the Common Core curriculum goals of learning through reading nonfiction. When searching for a children's biography of a well-known Jewish person, parents can generally find a bevy of Einsteins and a shelf of Houdinis, but nothing on Israeli political figures - not even Ben-Gurion or Herzl. So it is a pleasure to find this new release for very young children relating a specific incident in the life of young Golda Meir. Many little girls will find a kindred spirit in the story of Golda Mabowehz, a take-charge kind of kid (read: bossy; but that's OK, considering her later career) who sees a need in her community and decides to fix it.

In this case, author Barbara Krasner embellishes the true story of the American Young Sisters Society, a group of Jewish immigrant girls formed by 9-year-old Goldie, who naturally appoints herself president. She explains to the group that they are there to do something about the problem of kids in their school who do not have enough money to buy textbooks. They each need to raise 3 cents a week - a nearly impossible sum - the same price as a loaf of bread or a quart of milk. Goldie ingeniously comes up with a plan to add a 2-cent surcharge on groceries purchased by the patrons of her mother's grocery store while mother is gone; but this backfires when customers object. Goldie masterminds another plan, this time more ambitious: She will secure a large hall and invite important people to a public meeting where she, a 9-year-old fourth-grader, will give a speech persuasive enough to secure funding for the cause.

'Education is the only way to lift ourselves out of poverty . . . I ask each of you to look into your hearts and wallets and give what you can.'

Krasner states in her afterword that this incident in Meir's life is true and was written about in The Milwaukee Journal of Sept. 2, 1909. It may have also been related in Meir's autobiography, which is listed in the useful bibliography, but this is not stated. The brown and gray palette chosen by illustrator Kelsey Garritty-Riley is historically appropriate, and the added touches of early 20th-century wallpaper patterns enhance the period feel. Black-and-white photos of a young Meir, age 6, alongside a much later picture of her as prime minister of Israel with the caption, 'She never stopped taking a stand on important issues, ' brings her life full circle." -- Jewish Journal

"Before she was Golda Meir, she was Goldie Mabowehz, living in Milwaukee with her family at the turn of the last century. According to this book, based on an incident from her life, the woman who became prime minister of Israel was pretty formidable even at age nine. When Goldie observes her classmates with substandard textbooks, she decides that she and her immigrant friends - the American Young Sisters Society - should start a fund-raising drive. The girls try. Goldie, who works in her mother's store, even attempts to make customers pay extra. But it becomes evident that their efforts are a bust. So Goldie goes bigger: she persuades an auditorium owner to let her use his space for the drive. Will anyone show up? The author's note states that while the dialogue is imagined, the events are true, but even more clarification would have been helpful. The text does ably capture a decisive Goldie, and what's especially fun here is the artwork, particularly the images of the girls - a nest of almost doll-like figures. A bibliography closes this engaging bit of history." -- Booklist

"Young listeners and readers are introduced to the early life of Israel's first female Prime Minister, Golda Meir, in an age-appropriate story based on real events.

At the age of nine, Golda Mabowehz, herself a member of a Jewish family that immigrated to Milwaukee from Kiev, Russia in 1906, responds to the needs of her poor schoolmates for new textbooks. She does this with empathy, and a plan she develops exemplifies maturity beyond her years. As president of a group she creates and adminis-ters, the American Young Sisters Society, she organizes the girls who are her friends and neighbors to help raise money - in pennies, nickels, and dimes - until the realization that a public meeting and fundraising gala is needed to raise sufficient funding. After convincing the owner of a large hall to donate the hall for the meeting, Golda then organizes her group to create invitations and paint posters to hang; she herself speaks publicly to the large audi-ence of friends, neighbors, teachers, parents, and school administrators who turn out for the cause. Even at this young age her leadership characteristics show clearly.

Illustrations in sepia tones and dramatically drawn period dress and home furnishings make Golda's times come to life. The interior of her mother's grocery store with its products lined up give a vivid sense of her family's life.

The text is followed by a lovely mini-biog-raphy of Golda, illustrated with photos of her childhood and as prime minister, a one-page bibliography of places to visit to learn more about Golda and a list of books to read more about her.

This is a lovely addition to the biography shelf for the youngest readers and is recom-mended for children ages 5-8." -- starred review, Jewish Book World

"A biographical picture book that showcases a pivotal episode in the early life of Golda Meir, Israel's first female prime minister. Fourth-grade immigrant Goldie, president of the American Young Sisters Society, felt compelled to assist schoolmates who couldn't afford new textbooks and convinced her friends to help raise money for them. Goldie contributed by working at her family's store (and charging customers more for their purchases) and also by making personal sacrifices, such as donating her candy allowance to the cause. Ultimately, she became aware of the need for large-scale fund-raising and organizes a community-wide event. Told in the first person from young Goldie's perspective, this book is rich with possibilities. A solid choice for read-alouds, it could spark discussions about service learning, immigration, leadership, and inspiring female role models. Goldie's strong voice comes through, and the conversational tone makes it accessible for readers. The softly colored gouache illustrations, with heavy use of beiges and browns, subtle hints of collage, and clever use of graph and loose-leaf paper prints on character's dresses, create an inviting, nostalgic aesthetic that complements the setting. A solid addition to elementary school libraries." -- School Library Journal