Beth Anderson, Children's Writer

Don’t you wonder sometimes if historical figures in the same time period knew each other? or knew about each other? I thought about that a lot when I was working on stories of Prudence Wright and Deborah Sampson. They lived in the same colony, at the same time, both animated by the revolutionary spirit. With our upcoming new releases, author Vivian Kirkfield and I couldn’t help but wonder if suffragist and abolitionist Lucy Stone and Pinkerton detective Kate Warne ever crossed paths or knew about each other. Though we’ll never know the answer to that, we decided to bring the two women together for a classroom activity.

🥳 🥳 We’ve got a 2 book GIVEAWAY for one lucky person who leaves a comment below! 

ONE GIRL’S VOICE: HOW LUCY STONE HELPED CHANGE THE LAW OF THE LAND and

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: KATE WARNE AND THE RACE TO SAVE ABRAHAM LINCOLN!

Congratulations to Judy Davis Cheek, winner of GEORGE WASHINGTON’S SPECTACULAR SPECTACLES: THE GLASSES THAT SAVED AMERICA!

Trading Places: Connecting Story Elements Across Texts and Time

by Beth Anderson 

Vivian Kirkfield and I are both excited to share new stories of little-known women in history. As former educators, we see these books as a great pairing to engage young readers in connecting across texts…and time.

AND we’ve got an “interview” article on Vivian’s blog to use alongside this classroom activity on Feb. 8!

ONE GIRL’S VOICE: HOW LUCY STONE HELPED CHANGE THE LAW OF THE LAND (by Vivian Kirkfield, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon) shares how suffragist and abolitionist Lucy Stone, a pioneer in the 19th century’s two greatest movements for equality, finds her voice and paves the way for other women to participate more fully in society.

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: KATE WARNE AND THE RACE TO SAVE ABRAHAM LINCOLN (by Beth Anderson, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport) tells the story of how Kate Warne, the first female detective in the U.S., works with the Pinkerton Detective Agency to foil the Baltimore Plot, an attempt to stop Abraham Lincoln from becoming president in 1861.

Reading about these two women who courageously stepped forward opens up our understanding of the past, and with the perspective provided by history, allows students to connect and see relationships between character, setting, and conflict.

Overview: Students will notice similarities and differences between Lucy Stone and Kate Warne as they read or listen to the two stories. After reading, students identify story elements and compare and contrast the characters. Then, given what is known about each woman, their setting, and conflicts, students use critical thinking skills to discuss what might happen if the two historical figures traded places. Finally, students consider what they might do if they traded places with one of the characters. 

This activity can be done whole group, small groups, or with partners.

1. Read ONE GIRL’S VOICE and HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT.
2. Create a foldable to record setting and conflict, and compare and contrast the two main characters.

• Fold a plain piece of paper in half “hamburger” style.
• Next fold down the open edges (separately) to meet the first fold. The paper should look like a zig-zag.
• Then fold the page “hot dog” style to create a center line.
• Slit the middle of the top flap to make 2 tabs. (below left)
• Label the flaps with the title of each book and the main character. (below right)

• Under each flap write the headings: SETTING and CONFLICT.
• Open the lower half of the paper and label the sections as in the image. (below left)

Complete the foldable by making notes on SETTING, CONFLICT, CHARACTER DIFFERENCES and CHARACTER SIMILARITIES for Lucy Stone and Kate Warne. Use textual evidence to understand the characters.

3. Discussion: Connect across texts

Open up the foldable and fold down one flap. (above right) Now you see Lucy Stone alongside Kate Warne’s setting and conflict.

You also see your notes on how the characters are different and similar. Use this information as you discuss the questions:

What do you think would happen if the two women traded places and were inserted into the other woman’s story (time, place, and conflict)? How do you think Lucy Stone would fare in Kate’s Warne’s story? How would she respond? 

Then use the other flap to discuss how Kate Warne might respond in Lucy Stone’s situation. 

4. Discussion: Connect across time

Think about the conflicts we face in our time and place.

What do you think would happen if each woman lived in our present time and faced the challenges we face? What do you think they would be doing if they were alive today? How did you arrive at your opinion?

Finally, students “trade places” with one of the characters.

How they would respond to the setting and conflict? What traits do they have that would help? What would be the hardest part for them?

Be sure to visit Vivian Kirkfield’s blog for an article to use with this activity. [posts 2/8/25]

Don’t forget to leave a comment below to get in on the GIVEAWAY! (U.S. addresses only, please. Winner announced 2/21/25)

Please share this activity and GIVEAWAY opportunity with educators you know so kids can get a peek into history and be inspired by Lucy Stone and Kate Warne! 

AND 😍  if you leave a comment on Vivian’s “Will Write for Cookies” post you’ll get another entry! 

Free Educator Guide for HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Free Educator Guide for ONE GIRL’S VOICE coming soon! Stay tuned to Vivian Kirkfield’s website.

To learn more, here are 2 podcasts for you!

A Heartful of History with Selene Castrovilla, Ep. 5: A Chat with Author Vivian Kirkfield

Nonfiction Kid Lit Craft Conversations with Kirsten W. Larson: Ep. 6 – Beth Anderson