What This Book Is About
In early twentieth-century Britain, women could not vote. When suffragettes began smashing windows and chaining themselves to railings to demand change, the government responded with brutal force—police beat protesters, force-fed hunger strikers, and arrested women by the thousands. So the suffragettes did something extraordinary: they formed a secret bodyguard unit, trained in jiu-jitsu by Edith Garrud (one of the first female martial arts instructors in the West), to physically protect their leaders from police violence.
The Bodyguard Unit tells the astonishing true story of these women who fought—literally fought—for the right to vote. Gina Kamen combines archival research, photographs, and vivid narrative to bring to life a chapter of women's history that has been largely forgotten. The young readers' edition makes this story accessible for middle schoolers while preserving its full emotional and political power. It is simultaneously a history of feminism, a martial arts story, and a testament to what ordinary people can accomplish when they refuse to accept injustice.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why We Recommend This Book
The Bodyguard Unit brings women's history to life in a way that is both empowering and surprising. Most students know about suffragettes, but few know they trained in martial arts—this unexpected angle hooks readers who might otherwise disengage from "history books."
For UWC, which has a strong commitment to gender equality and social justice, this book shows students that rights we take for granted were won through physical courage and sacrifice. It also opens discussions about the ethics of protest: when peaceful methods fail, is physical resistance justified?
Reading Level Guide
Challenging at B1. Build confidence with B1-level books first, then return to this.
Perfect difficulty. Challenging enough to grow, accessible enough to enjoy.
Comfortable read at C1. Great for pleasure reading or thematic exploration.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
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