For a long time, I associated civil rights with those pertaining to women and Blacks in the United States. Once my eyes were opened to the many injustFor a long time, I associated civil rights with those pertaining to women and Blacks in the United States. Once my eyes were opened to the many injustices around the world and in this country, I came to realize that there was much to learn about one aspect of civil rights in particular--that of those with disabilities. Having watched and learned from the documentary Crip Camp, I learned a little bit about this movement, and then learned even more from this memoir from Judy Heumann, one of the movers and shakers in that movement. In this version of her story adapted for young readers, Heumann describes her formative years and attempts to attend school with her friends. It's unthinkable now that she was initially denied access to school because officials considered her a "fire hazard" because of her wheelchair and that she was refused a teaching license because of her disability, the result of polio as a child. Something as simple as a street curb or stairs presented barriers to movement and independence in those days--and yes, still, in some places, even today. But as infuriating as these and other incidents are, readers will take heart at how Judy and her supportive family took on the system and forced it to change. Eventually, frustrated at the federal government's slow response to proposed legislation, Judy was part of 150 protesters with various disabilities who took over the San Francisco Federal Building in order to gain the attention of officials who kept putting them off. Hers is a story that is inspiring, impressive, and important, and every student in junior high should read it for its historical context and to appreciate this outspoken, determined woman who truly epitomized the book's title: Judith Heumann was, indeed, a "rolling warrior," a force of nature who refused to let others keep her down, deny her dreams, and marginalize her and others like her. The book captures her irrepressible nature and outspoken ways. ...more
Part of The Fight for Black Rights series, this slim volume introduces readers to the Black Lives Matter movement, detailing how various acts of violePart of The Fight for Black Rights series, this slim volume introduces readers to the Black Lives Matter movement, detailing how various acts of violence spurred its founders to post their thoughts, create a hashtag, and give rise to various protests. The author provides a brief history of the civil rights movement before moving on to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, and the galvanizing effect this event had on BLM. Readers will realize that his death moved not only those in his community but had a global impact. The author offers information about what changed after Floyd's death and what work still remains to be done as well as mentioning other movements for social change. While I'd love to have had more depth to this book, it is an accessible introduction to the topic, complete with photographs and a timeline, and finding uses in today's social studies or history classes. Young readers may draw inspiration from the examples of activism highlighted in the book....more
This fascinating biography tells the story of a woman with whom even the most avid baseball fans will be unfamiliar--unless they know the history of tThis fascinating biography tells the story of a woman with whom even the most avid baseball fans will be unfamiliar--unless they know the history of the Negro World Series and baseball's Negro Leagues. If they've visited the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, they might have heard of Effa Manley, who was the business manager and co-owner of the Newark Eagles. After reading this book, they will surely be impressed with Effa's determination to support Black players in baseball and to provide proper settings for its fans. While I would like to have known more about Effa and her formative years, the author chooses to focus most of the book on her involvement with baseball, which led to her being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and in many respects this is more a story of the Negro Leagues than it is a story about Effa. Still, the author captures the personality and forthright nature of Effa while describing how the removal of some of the color barriers to Major League Baseball resulted in white team owners poaching players from the Negro Leagues without paying the owners what was due in the contracts. And while there is much to applaud in the integration of the sport, that also spelled doom for the Negro Leagues teams, players, and owners like Effa, an interesting perspective to consider. The text, which is conversational in tone and deeply engaging, is accompanied by several archival photographs from that period....more
Based on a shameful part of the history of Tacoma, Washington, in 1885, this historical novel is a 3.5 for me. Although there are some grammatical errBased on a shameful part of the history of Tacoma, Washington, in 1885, this historical novel is a 3.5 for me. Although there are some grammatical errors and too many instances of fortunate happenstances, I still enjoyed reading this book, published by the Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation, and would strongly urge middle grade readers, especially those living in Washington, to read it and learn more about their history and the wrongs rendered against Chinese immigrants. It's impossible to read this book and not wonder what one's own actions during those times might have been as well as to feel a sense of pride that it was mostly the youngsters in the book who seemed to lead the way toward fair treatment. Readers' hearts will break at the living conditions of the book's protagonist, eleven-year-old Ty Ritter, whose abusive, alcoholic father, barely does anything to earn the title of father. Ty's learned to stay out of his father's way and to avoid the attention of his classmates. He is unable to read and is dirty and unkempt. When Eva Doyle, a new classmate who has moved to Tacoma from New York with her mother, befriends him and sees something in him that others have not, his life begins to change. She gives him a feisty street cat to go along with the friendly three-legged dog, Minus, that Ty has recently adopted, and love comes into his life as he and his pets sleep in his father's barn. Ty crosses paths with Mr. Low, a Chinese restaurant owner, who saves his life, and his pregnant wife. But business isn't good for the restaurant as xenophobic white men become determined to drive out all the Chinese living and working in the town. Even the mayor of Tacoma seeks to remove them by force and intimidation, and it's clear that the laws and promise of this new land don't hold true for Chinese immigrants. It's impossible to ignore the fact that it is these "foreigners" who treat Ty far better than his own family. While I wished to know even more about each of the characters, I came to care about them deeply and to hope for the best for them even while realizing that ignorance makes it easy to blame others in times of trouble. It happened back in 1885, and it continues to happen in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Perhaps books like this one will help readers realize that mistakes have been made in the past and there is little use in blaming or demonizing a particular part of the population. ...more
I'm sorry that this book landed on the bottom of one of my book stacks, which kept me from reading it earlier. All-American Boys by Jason Reynolds andI'm sorry that this book landed on the bottom of one of my book stacks, which kept me from reading it earlier. All-American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely is one of my all-time favorite YA books as a reader and as a teacher, and just as Reynolds does with Stamped and the history of racism for a middle grade audience, Kiely tackles racism and white privilege, but with a focus on whites. Readers will feel as though they are engaged in a conversation with this author, and while he sprinkles in statistics with his talking points to make his case, he also shares stories from his own life and his own growing awareness of his own privilege due to being white. Kiely is keenly aware that most Black youngsters have received advice from their parents about how to navigate a racist world, but interestingly, that isn't the case for white youngsters. Why? Because they don't necessary have to since they won't be faced with the same challenges. Still, Kiely maintains that such conversations are necessary and could lead to change so that we all can do better. Kiely makes a strong case for having that other talk and shares many of the mistakes he himself has made along the way. From incarceration rates to immigration policies to what sorts of stories and authors are published, the book skips confidently through all sorts of examples of white privilege and even notes an exercise purporting to help participants realize that the playing field isn't level and yet one that completely ignored indigenous peoples, an example that demonstrates how easy it is to marginalize someone even with the best intentions in mind. There is much to consider and digest here, making this book one that a family might consider reading and discussing together, but it also could be an important text for high schools, communities, and even teacher education programs. I haven't heard much buzz about this book, but there definitely should be. It's that important. ...more
Adapted from the adult version of the book, this version for teens provides readers with a fascinating glimpse into history. The Green Book, publishedAdapted from the adult version of the book, this version for teens provides readers with a fascinating glimpse into history. The Green Book, published annually for three decades from 1936 to 1966 during the height of segregation, gave would-be travelers tips on travel. Its contents featured articles and advertisements that identified restaurants, hotels, service stations, beaches, and music clubs that were safe for Black clients. Otherwise, travel could be dangerous for many Black Americans since there were many towns, known as sundown towns, where it was not safe for Blacks to be after dark. Even Blacks who worked in those places needed to make it home before light faded from the sky. The author relies on various editions of the Green Book, the brainchild of Victor Hugo Green, a letter carrier in the New York City area as part of her research, but she also traveled to more than 4,000 former Green Book spots beginning in 2013 and interviewed travelers and former owners of those safe places. As she sifts through archival material, Taylor also connects these places or what she calls "the overland railroad" to historical events as well as current happenings. She also reflects on the loss of these sites, which fell out of favor after segregation was ruled to be illegal but also pondering the systemic racism that continues to plague this nation, even pointing out that the NAACP issued a Black travel advisory in 2017 for Missouri, a shocking reminder that Black travel can still present perils. Students of history will be fascinated by this book's contents and the many photographs that accompany the text, but so will those interested in popular culture and how travel and this nation have changed. I was deeply engaged by every page and fascinated that such a small publication as the Green Book could make such a difference in those curious about the wider world....more
The city of Drakopolis is hardly the safest or more secure place to grow up or to dream of a bright future. It's hard to tell which group of kins--criThe city of Drakopolis is hardly the safest or more secure place to grow up or to dream of a bright future. It's hard to tell which group of kins--criminal gangs--to trust or rely on for security. Even those in power seem untrustworthy. In this first book in a planned series, Abel, the protagonist, loves dragons, but his future seems dismal after he performed poorly on his dragon rider's exam. Still, he and others like him attend school to learn more about dragons. Against all expectations and likelihood, Abel's fortunes change when he bonds with Karak, a Sunrise Reaper dragon. Abel learns to ride Karak and finds himself in the middle of a fierce conflict between different factions and between his sister Lina and his brother Silas. But which one is right? And which one can he trust? Abel gains confidence as the story unfolds, but he remains just as confused about loyalty and honor at the end of the story as he was at the start. For readers in search of high-paced action, battle scenes with mighty dragons, and an unlikely hero, this book offers a good reading experience. It will be interesting to see what happens next since Abel has become increasingly uncomfortable with how those dragons owned by the kins and others are treated and longs to set them all free. The plot is predictable, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book. As a tactile person, I loved having the endpapers designed to feel like dragon skin might feel. ...more
Like many other readers and students of history, I was eager to read this book as soon as I heard about it. As another reviewer noted, Kekla Magoon's Like many other readers and students of history, I was eager to read this book as soon as I heard about it. As another reviewer noted, Kekla Magoon's earlier books, The Rock and the River and Fire in the Streets, had only served as an appetizer on the topic of the Black Panther Party as did Rita Williams-Garcia's One Crazy Summer in which three sisters visit their mother in Oakland and have their racial consciousness after they learn about their mother's involvement with the Black Panthers. I'm old enough to remember all the hysteria associated with the Panthers, the way they looked, and the way the media portrayed them. I can also remember reading about raids on their offices and residences. In this thoroughly-researched book for teens, readers will be able to learn about the reasons behind the formation of the Black Panther Party and its leaders as well as how they worked for change. Providing breakfast for children, food for the community, and health care were priorities as they recognized the need to feed the body as well as the mind and soul. It's clear from the text, the references, and Source Notes that this book was a labor of love for Magoon and that she admires much of what the Panthers did and stood for. While I would have loved more detail about some of the leaders, I could see how this group offered hope and promise to Black men, women, and children, and how their existence heralded changes that still need to be made today. Magoon offers quite a bit of Black history leading up to the Black Panthers' origin as well as makes a case that the Panthers' very existence had long-reaching effects, even influencing the Black Lives Matter movement and other recent social justice movements. I'm not sure that this influence has been as pervasive as she seems to think, but it's worth a thought or two. For teen readers especially, though, the book reminds them that social transformation happens because of youth, something that has played out recently, and that they can work for change now rather than waiting until they are much older. Another noteworthy aspect of this history is how Magoon painstakingly makes sure she includes the women who were involved in the Panthers, a glaring omission in many other civil rights stories. Even the sidebars offer interesting asides that some readers will want to follow up on. Overall, I finished the book impressed with the research, the writing, the Panthers' mission, and those lost opportunities for change. Reading the book will certainly make a cynic out of even the most fervent believers in this nation's fairness or its justice, legal, and law enforcement system. I could go on and on about incarceration rates and the prison industrial complex, all touched on here, but I urge everyone who cares about our country and its wounds to read this book and then decide for themselves what the Panthers brought to this nation and why their stories have been omitted from history curriculum and the civil rights narrative. And yes, as another reviewer noted, apparently, teachers aren't supposed to mention any of this to their students. Thank you, Kekla Magoon, for this important contribution to the history of our nation. ...more
This collective biography features short profiles of 33 notable Jewish women whose contributions deserve to be highlighted. The book is organized chroThis collective biography features short profiles of 33 notable Jewish women whose contributions deserve to be highlighted. The book is organized chronologically except for the initial entry focusing on Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who herself was part of this project, assisting the author in choosing the women whose bios would appear on its pages. Beginning with Biblical times and the women who saved Moses--his sister Miriam, his mother Yocheved, and Batya, the woman who rescued and reared him--and concluding with the twentieth century with nods to an opera singer, a writer, an activist, and an astronaut, among others, the book ranges widely in its recognition of these groundbreaking and socially aware individuals. Perhaps most remarkable of all is that despite what many of them had in common, they came from different backgrounds--some quite privileged and some quite poor, some quite aware of the differences they were making while others were not. Many of the stories describe the prejudices and discrimination they faced as women but also as Jews. There is something for everyone in this book and plenty of role models from which to choose as readers make choices about how they want to live their lives. A colorful full-page illustration for each woman attempts to capture each one's essence and personality. And the author generously suggests that there are so many other inspiring stories to be told and lives to be led, a notion that reminds readers that there is still so much work that needs to be done. While I'd love to have read more about each woman and had even more women profiled, this small book is just the right size and content for its intended middle grade audience. ...more
Set in India during 1857 and 1858, this historical fiction follows the adventures of Meera, a twelve-year-old girl who dreads but reluctantly accepts Set in India during 1857 and 1858, this historical fiction follows the adventures of Meera, a twelve-year-old girl who dreads but reluctantly accepts her arranged marriage to a boy from a nearby village. But when he is killed in a riot, Meera's father and the boy's family expect her to burn herself on his funeral pyre out of respect and because that is traditional in their Hindu sect. Meera flees with assistance from an unexpected ally, and ends up being befriended by others sympathetic to her plight. She ends up working as a servant for one of the officials of the British East India Company and enlisted by the rebels who are protesting and fighting against British rule. As so many have had to do in the past and even today, Meera must choose between this safe and relatively comfortable life she now has but little free will or independence and striking against what's wrong and charting her own destiny. The author excels in providing snippets about how racist and clueless the Memsahib or mistress of the house often is, believing herself to be sympathetic to her servants and yet portraying them as animals in her paintings. Readers won't want to miss the helpful notes in the backmatter so that they don't think sati or self-immolation was typical of South Asian brides whose husbands died or other cultural details. I did find it a bit troublesome, though, that much of what happens to Meera and her friend Bhavani is part of the author's imagination since she notes that they are "children, and girls--who would not have been employed at this point in history..."(p. 303) and thus their ability to work as servants and earn money in order to plan for their future and independence would be impeded and impossible. Still, despite those concerns, the raised awareness of Meera and how she defies her destiny are inspiring. ...more
Apparently, I've missed something special since I had not heard of this Bakers Mountain Stories series until I read this one, the fifth and final titlApparently, I've missed something special since I had not heard of this Bakers Mountain Stories series until I read this one, the fifth and final title. If the others are anything as near as engaging as this one, then I will certainly need to go back and read them as well. Set in Hickory, North Carolina from August 1959 to June 1960, the book follows the growth of thirteen-year-old Jackie Honeycutt, the youngest in his family. Over the course of a year, he has his consciousness raised about civil rights issues, peaceful resistance, losing with grace, and his own responsibility for some of the wrongs that exist in the world. Partly because of his older sister, Ellie, and her involvement in the civil rights movement, a caring and aware teacher, Mrs. Cunningham, and his growing friendship with Thomas Freeman, a Black boy who resists his overtures of friendship, Jackie revises his world view and his notions about whom the enemy is. It takes almost the entire book for him to admit his own culpability in matters, finally owning up to his own thoughtless actions toward Thomas before he got to know him. Many readers will be able to relate to Jackie and his inability to keep his thoughts to himself even when they have dire consequences for those around him as well as the gradual unfolding of this friendship even while the world around the Honeycutts is slowly--or rapidly, depending on one's perspective--changing. This is a lovely, well-written story sure to stir many emotions in readers while taking them back in time during the period when lunch counters were the subject of protests and activism. And it's important also to consider the challenge families such as Thomas's faced in deciding what would be worth standing up for or speaking out against. ...more
Because conditions in their homeland make it impossible to eke out a living, Flor and her father travel to a more promising country that promises a beBecause conditions in their homeland make it impossible to eke out a living, Flor and her father travel to a more promising country that promises a better life for all. Flor has imagined this new place as filled with riches and opportunities for all, based on the television programs she has watched. And while in some ways, thing are better, she and her father quickly realize that there are challenges and inequities. Her father works long hours in the hot sun, unable to complain because of fears that he'll lose his job and be deported. And while Flor struggles at first with the language and fitting in, she thrives in school, seeing education as a way forward and upward. But because she is undocumented, there are opportunities that are closed to her as well. This story and its illustrations will speak to many youngsters like Flor as well as those who don't understand the immigration process and the limits placed on the freedom of those who come here. Perhaps it will make some readers more empathetic to their situation and prompt them to rally for changes. I appreciated how Flor still loves her new home country even while recognizing the need for changes and the necessity for her and others to speak up. ...more
In this ground-breaking picture book set in India, Ayesha is determined not to let others spoil her cousin Ritu's wedding. Ritu is getting married to In this ground-breaking picture book set in India, Ayesha is determined not to let others spoil her cousin Ritu's wedding. Ritu is getting married to Chandni, and in their home country, such a union is not recognized or accepted by many. Ayesha is excited about all the wedding preparations and festivities, and a bit confused when her parents worry about the reaction from onlookers to Ritu, a bride, leading the wedding procession since this is typically something the groom does. Not only have many family members chosen not to attend this marriage joining two women, but those along the procession route shout insulting words and drench the wedding party with water. Although she is scared, Ayesha is determined to dance in celebration of this union, and she does just that, leading the way for the others to join in, wet, disheveled but also joyous. Readers will be impressed with Ayesha's courage and how she leads the way for others to be just as courageous. For those readers unfamiliar with how many might react to two women marrying, the author has included a note and additional reading in the back matter as well as a glossary of Hindi terms. This story might encourage compassion and understanding in young readers as well as allowing others to see their own experiences and feelings mirrored in its pages. I loved how the book concludes with two double-page spreads with nary a word in sight, just friends and family members celebrating this union and the love of the two brides. The illustrations contain rich colors and details, especially for the clothing worn by the characters. Surely, this book will provide a starting place for conversations about relationships and love. ...more
When Sean Moses excitedly shares the news about his role in the school's Black History Month program, he asks his parents to guess who he will be. AftWhen Sean Moses excitedly shares the news about his role in the school's Black History Month program, he asks his parents to guess who he will be. After each incorrect guess, facts about and quotes from those important figures in African-American history are provided. To his delight, Sean is going to recite the words and channel the personality of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Only Sean plans to wear a crown since he sees this important figure as being a king or Martin Luther, the King, because of all he did for civil rights. The story is adorable and the mistake understandable, especially for someone Sean's age. The punchline goes on a bit too long, but young readers may appreciate the snippets of history and biography provided here as well as the photographs of Sean Moses performing. I wish there had been some references for the biographies so interested readers could learn more. ...more
A young girl is at the center of the illustrations in this picture book that uses the words of the classic civil rights anthem, "We Shall Overcome" asA young girl is at the center of the illustrations in this picture book that uses the words of the classic civil rights anthem, "We Shall Overcome" as a backdrop and allows the illustrator to interpret those words. As she heads out to join a protest movement and paint her feelings, she passes by various landmarks that mark the long road to justice trod by many Black men and women in the past and the struggle that continues in the present. For readers who missed the significance of various individuals and structures included in the images, the back matter offers details about the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, the bus on which Rosa Parks rode, Little Rock Central High School, the Black Lives Matter mural. Each page is a revelation with illustrations created with watercolor and collage and brimming with hope and the expectation that change is coming as well as the acknowledgement of how far we have come. This picture book needs to be read multiple times to appreciate its artistry. My favorite image is a double-page spread showing protesters in black and white marching down the street while the young girl, surrounded by a vivid collage that makes up the wings of an angel or a butterfly, holds a petal with a peace symbol while beneath her readers can see the word "Someday."...more
Colorful illustrations that seem to be rendered through Adobe Photoshop complement a little-known story about the friendship between a singer and a scColorful illustrations that seem to be rendered through Adobe Photoshop complement a little-known story about the friendship between a singer and a scientist who met in 1937. I had never heard about the incident that prompted this friendship, but reading about it made me smile. Singer Marian Anderson is more known for her performance at the Lincoln Memorial after being denied the privilege of singing at Constitution Hall due to prejudice. After an acclaimed performance in Princeton, New Jersey, two years before the Lincoln Memorial concert, Anderson was unable to book a room at the local, all-white hotel. Albert Einstein, who had been in the audience, offered to let her stay for the night in his house. The two conversed and found that they had quite a lot in common. The ending is lovely as Anderson returns years later to the same town, and even though she would no longer have trouble staying in a hotel, she need not worry since she already has a place to stay. Back matter includes a photo of Anderson and one of Einstein and some additional information about Anderson's career. I'd love to know more about this friendship and this particular story, but the way it's written gives me hope due to the compassion and empathy that Einstein showed for Anderson. Perhaps youngsters hearing this story will follow this example and extend a helping hand to others in need or form a friendship with someone who may not seem to have anything in common with them but probably does. ...more
While some of these essays are quite brief, all of them offer food for thought when it comes to how disabilities are defined and how individuals with While some of these essays are quite brief, all of them offer food for thought when it comes to how disabilities are defined and how individuals with disabilities are treated. Several of the 17 pieces challenge the assumptions often held by outsiders and may prompt readers to reflect on their own attitudes toward those with disabilities. For instance, Ricardo T. Thornton Sr. , one of the first developmentally disabled individuals to be allowed to marry, writes about how far the disability rights movement has come and how far it still needs to go. Eugene Grant discusses how the dwarfism of Benjamin Lay, an abolitionist, has been erased in most texts when it was very much a part of him. Readers can also find some historical notes about disability rights and the movement toward being more visible. The book is divided into four sections: Being, Becoming, Doing, and Connecting, and all of the entries have been written by individuals who are disabled. As readers close the book, they will surely feel more aware, more informed, and more conscious of the dangers in marginalizing or ignoring these individuals but also the problem in making them seem somehow larger than life or "inspiring," a word used often when discussing someone with a disability. Worth noting, of course, are the many technological innovations, including augmentative and alternative communication. While this book addresses many areas of confusion, many readers may come away with even more questions about this area than they had when they first opened the book. ...more
This picture book concerning a landmark Supreme Court decision is a 3.5 for me. Featuring digital illustrations created with Adobe Photoshop, it descrThis picture book concerning a landmark Supreme Court decision is a 3.5 for me. Featuring digital illustrations created with Adobe Photoshop, it describes the experiences of Wong Kim Ark, born in San Francisco, California to Chinese immigrants. From the beginning, Kim Ark considered himself an American--and why wouldn't he? But as the political climate became hostile toward anyone from China, his parents became increasingly uncomfortable and returned to China. Their son stayed in the United States where he felt he belonged. Still, he loved and missed his parents, and visited them in their homeland. Upon his return to the United States, his citizenship was not recognized, and he was kept imprisoned on various ships for months. Finally, in 1898, the Supreme Court ruled that anyone born on American soil is an American citizen. This is a fascinating part of history about which I knew nothing, and I was excited to discover this story. The back matter includes a timeline of relevant events, photographs, and background information about the case and the attorneys who argued for Wong Kim Art and those who took the opposing stance. Sadly, although he won the case, Wong Kim Ark eventually returned to China due to the unfair treatment he and other Chinese endured in the land of his birth. It would be fascinating to learn even more about this man and his experiences. The endpapers are a map of Chinatown in 1885, giving readers a glimpse into the area where Wong Kim Ark lived. Students of history, civil rights, and the legal system may find this picture book worth reading and pondering over issues relative to belonging and citizenship. ...more
While youngsters' favorite word may well be "Why?", this picture book focuses on that question being raised about issues of social justice and race. VWhile youngsters' favorite word may well be "Why?", this picture book focuses on that question being raised about issues of social justice and race. Various children take note of what's going on around them and ask their family members for an explanation. The response is succinct and to the point but also helpful and results in an "Oh!" from the children and then quite a lot of reflection. There's even a rationale for why some buildings are being destroyed. Although this is a very short book, it would certainly provide a place to begin hard conversations about recent events as well as historical treatments of individuals with brown or black skin. The illustrations, created with digital collage and paint swatches, capture the innocence of the young characters as well as the patience and concern of their elders even while also highlighting different shades of skin color. As the title indicates, this book could certainly be useful in fostering dialogues about the status quo and making sense of our nation's complex history, but it clearly would not be the stopping point. And who knows? Perhaps it will be the next generation that will be able to fix what's broken and right the wrongs. ...more
This picture book is a 3.5 for me. I've often thought of planning my own civil rights road trip and visiting various places that held historical signiThis picture book is a 3.5 for me. I've often thought of planning my own civil rights road trip and visiting various places that held historical significance for the civil rights movement. Having spent my formative years and my first years of teaching in the South, that wouldn't have been particularly challenging. In this particular book, a young girl named Liberty, her friend Abdullah, their families and other riders take a bus trip to six important places in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama, starting first in Jackson and concluding their pilgrimage in Selma. The illustrations show that the travelers are a diverse group who are on this journey for their own particular reasons, and the text includes several instances in which Liberty wants to know if they've reached their destination yet as children so often ask on long trips. For Liberty, the anticipated highlight is the Edmund Pettus Bridge, of course, and together, all of the travelers cross that bridge in homage to the march in 1965. At each stop on the journey, the adults on the bus share snippets of history with the youngsters, insuring that these important places and individuals will not be forgotten by the next generation. An Author's Note explains the importance of keeping history alive and how the author began planning trips like this one in real life. Back matter includes additional information about the six spots where the bus stops. Although I don't love the illustrations, they support the text and highlight the way the elders in the group are breaking things down for those younger ones. Adult readers might use this book as a starting place for planning their own civil rights tours or beginning conversations about civil rights and social justice and contextualize those events from the 1960s to current protests. Teachers, parents, and caregivers might do the same as most of the individuals involved in the movement are no longer alive even though their actions live on in legislation, Supreme Court rulings, and policy changes....more