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The women's suffrage movement is in full swing in 1912 Portland, Oregon--the last holdout state on the West Coast. Miriam desperately wants to work at her father's printing shop, but when he refuses she decides to dedicate herself to the suffrage movement, demanding rights for women and a different life for herself. Amidst the uncertainty of her future, Miriam's attention is diverted by the mysterious Serakh, whose sudden, unexplained appearances and insistent questions lead Miriam to her grandmother's Jewish prayer shawl--and to her destiny. With this shawl, Miriam is taken back in time to inspire the Daughters of Zelophehad, the first women in Biblical history to own land. Miriam brings the strength and courage of these women with her forward in time, emboldening her own struggles and illuminating what it means to be an independent woman.… (more)
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As the Suffrage Movement gains momentum in 1912 Portland, OR, Mim finds herself drawn to the effort and finds voice for her internal independence. During this period of personal exploration, Mim is visited by a strange woman, from a faraway place and, it turns out, a long-ago time. Not only does the early twentieth century women’s movement need her support, but Mim discovers that she has a unique purpose in life, in that she is the rightful owner of a magical prayer shawl that allows her to time travel to help other women who are also fighting for social justice.
What is most appealing about the protagonist, however, is that she is not merely engaged in rebellion, as normal as that may be; she is thoughtful, intelligent, and driven by a strong moral compass. The notion that women should have equal rights is not revolutionary to Mim—it is simply right. Mim is courageous, independent, and full of love and hope for her friends and family. Not only does Blue Thread highlight the tenacity and bravery of those dedicated to women’s rights movements throughout time, the book also weaves the excitement of time travel and a pinch of magic into the touching narrative. This is a worthwhile read, and Mim is exactly the kind of female protagonist that should be in more YA novels.
Advanced reader copy provided by edelweiss.