Rise Up with a Song: The True Story of Ethel Smyth, Suffragette Composer (Heroes Remembered, 1)

CONGRATULATIONS, Jany Campana!!!  You are the winner of a copy of BLUE RIDGE BABIES by Laura Sperry Gardner!  I know you'll enjoy this sweet rollicking animal counting mountain book!  Be sure to leave a review if you enjoy it, request it at your library, etc.! :-). Thanks, Laura, for the generous giveaway, and thank you Jany for your constant support of PBJamz!

Interview with Diane Worthey, author of RISE UP WITH A SONG

Diane and I talk PB biographies, writing process, music, the inspiration of women who came before us and more!  Check out our conversation below!

RISE UP WITH A SONG: ​The True Story of Ethel Smyth, Suffragette Composer

This PB biography is full of excitement and derring-do; the story of a young woman who blasted all the barriers for women -- what they wore, what they did, and many other "glass ceilings" that plagued women, particularly in her time period.  She wrote music -- big, powerful music, and she is remembered well for her contributions in this book by Diane Worthey.  A story-worthy heroine, Ethel Smyth paved the way not only for female musicians, but also for women voters and for women in general.  The perfect addition to a study of the suffragette movement, women's history month (March; incidentally also Music in Our Schools Month) or female composers, opera, or lots of other topics.

---

A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)

One of Ethel Smyth's most memorable pieces -- "The March of the Women" sung by women -- shoulder to shoulder and friend to friend.  Enjoy this beautiful version of this amazing song!

Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics

History 

• Women's suffragette movement and history
• Timelines
• Women's history -- expectations, limitations, change over time

Math

• Use timeline to solve problems.

ELA

• Onomatopoeia
• Features of text
• Vocabulary (Look for the words in different font. Why are they different?  Blend features of text with vocabulary.)

Tips and Topics for Music Teachers

• Music history
• Female composers
• Musical era 1860s-1920s -- How did things change
• Why do you think Ethel Smyth's work is accepted now and wasn't then?
  
• Compare her March of the Women for strings, flex band and concert band.  How are the arrangements alike and different?
• Listening activities with various pieces of Ethel's work
• Draw while you listen -- what images does the music evoke

Writing Prompts from Tonnye

• Listen to one of Ethel's longer pieces and write whatever story or poem the music makes you think of.
• Write about how you and Ethel are the same and different.  
  
• Do you think Ethel would make a good friend?  Why/why not?
  
• Write about whether or not women should have the right to vote.  Give good reasons for your opinion.
  
• Write a list of words that describes Ethel Smyth.  Turn them into a poem.
  
• Write a poem, story, or song about something you think is unfair.
  
• Write a poem entitled, "Not Ethel"
  
• How do you think Ethel's voice changed the path of women around the world?
  
• ​Ethel put some of her favorite poems to music.  Find a poem you love and try singing it. 
  

Writing Tips from Diane Worthey

​Here are some writer tips:


* Revise, Revise, Revise: Musicians do this all of the time. Do the same with your writing. Sometimes I work for hours on one sentence or one paragraph.
In picture books, every word is golden. Every word counts.


I put my manuscripts through my critique group at least 3 times before submitting to agents/publishers.
Writing is ultimately a group project- you don't have to change things you don't agree with, but try what your fellow writers suggest and see if it improves the manuscript.


* Be persistent : My first book was rejected 13 times before it found a home in the right publisher. My second book also had many rejections before it was picked up by a publisher.

* Think of layers you can add to your book. For RISE UP WITH A SONG, I used the lyrics to the public domain music The March of the Women to inspire my text.

* When writing, think in scenes. Imagine an illustrator trying to illustrate your scenes. Do your words help an illustrator? Write what you mean. Publishers often take out illustrator notes in a manuscript.

* The title to a picture book is key to setting the tone of the book. If you are inspired by your title, it will inform your writing.
As an exercise, try different titles and see how they inform your writing.

* Read your manuscript out loud to see if it flows in a musical way. Have someone read your manuscript to you. You will hear things differently this way.

* Attend SCBWI workshops where you can submit a manuscript to an agent. Be persistent in nudging the agent (nicely) to give you feedback.

Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!

Pinterest board with more info about Ethel Smyth and various songs and activities
YouTube playlist with videos and songs relating to Ethel Smyth
​

PBJamz Snack -- Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars!

If you were hosting a 1910 English tea something like these yummy peanut butter and jelly bars might be on the menu.  If not, they would be a delicious accompaniment to an afternoon of music of Ethel Smyth -- or anyone else.   Enjoy! And check out more great recipes from Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons!

Guest Links and Giveaways

To purchase RISE UP WITH A SONG at Amazon 
                                                                     at Barnes and Noble
Link to Kirkus starred review
Diane's website
Diane's Twitter
​

Diane is offering a picture book critique as a giveaway for this episode.  Comment below for a chance to win a critique!

Be sure to leave reviews, request these PBJamz books for your library, and share out the ones you love on social media, as well as to your friends and family!