Title: March: Book Two
Author: John Lewis (with Andrew Aydin) & illustrated by Nate Powell
Pages: 160
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
ISBN: 9781603094009
Publication Date: January 27, 2015
AR Levels: TBA
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22487952-march
In a nutshell: Picking up where book one left off, book two follows John Lewis' work as a Freedom Rider and as an organizer of the March on Washington during the Civil Rights Movement.
I'd recommend it to grades: 9 and up
I'd recommend it to: teachers for Black History Month reading lists, fans of biographies, and budding activists
What I liked most about this book: This
second installment of the graphic memoir trilogy took the series to a whole
new level. The way Lewis' presence at Obama's inauguration is weaved
into his memories of his work with SNCC on the Freedom Rides and the
March on Washington is pure genius. Some of the single panel artwork
nearly broke my heart it was so gripping, particularly a darkly sinister one of a group of Klansmen. I
was so moved by this book, and it taught me more about the Civil Rights
Movement than anything else ever has. Lewis' insight into the
behind-the-scenes workings of the movement is fascinating. This is the
perfect format for this true story, and I can't wait for book three.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): There's another single panel that made me tear up. During a protest, a police officer asks a small
African-American girl what it is that she wants, and she simply and innocently replies, "f'eedom." It's a quiet yet powerful moment that perfectly sums up the book's themes and tone.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars
Title: Gone Crazy in Alabama
Author: Rita Williams-Garcia
Pages: 304
Publisher: Amistad
ISBN: 9780062215901
Publication Date: April 21, 2015*
AR Levels: TBA
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22836574-gone-crazy-in-alabama
In a nutshell: In this final installment of the trilogy, the Gaither sisters travel south to visit their daddy's family in Alabama, and, as per usual, hijinks ensue. Join Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern one last time as they learn all about milking cows, stir up a decades-long feud between sisters, discover family secrets, and more.
I'd recommend it to grades: 5th to 8th
I'd recommend it to: teachers looking for a great Black History Month read-aloud, those who like comedy and family drama, and anyone with a sister
What I liked most about this book: I have loved this sassy trio of sisters from the first pages of One Crazy Summer, and this third book did not disappoint. Set in the South in the summer of 1969, it tackles historically significant topics such as the Apollo 11 moon landing, the Ku Klux Klan, the relationship between African Americans and Native Americans, and more...all with equal doses of gravity and comedy. This heartfelt and laugh-out-loud funny finale is sure to satisfy fans of the first two books and find new fans as well. I'm surely going to miss the Gaither sisters. Surely am! ;)
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): The Southern-isms in this one are dead on. My favorite one is how Delphine describes how Southern goodbyes go on forever and ever with plenty of hugs. So true.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars, yes ma'am
*I read a digital ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss.
Title: How I Discovered Poetry
Author: Marilyn Nelson
Pages: 112
Publisher: Dial
ISBN: 9780803733046
Publication Date: January 14, 2014
AR Levels: Book Level - 5.2, Interest Level - 4th to 8th grades, Points: 1.0
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18079805-how-i-discovered-poetry
In a nutshell: Join young Marilyn Nelson's journey from air base to air base as she and her African-American family experience the blessings of home, family, friendship, and art and the struggles of being a family on the move in a country that wasn't always welcoming. This memoir told in verse recently won the Coretta Scott King Author Honor.
I'd recommend it to grades: 4th to 8th
I'd recommend it to: fans of historical fiction, poetry, and biography and teachers and students looking for an excellent Black History Month read
What I liked most about this book: As
an African-American woman who grew up in the 1950's on various Air
Force bases across the country, Marilyn Nelson has a unique perspective
on what it was like to be an African American during that hostile era.
This memoir written entirely in verse is told in a child's voice that is
equally full of wonder, innocence, wisdom, and fear. Kids, teens, and adults
alike will connect with this heartfelt book of poetry. It's a great read
for Black History Month.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): Early on in the book, Marilyn attends church and mishears a sermon on the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, thinking that Lot and his wife have a pet "flea" instead of how they had to "flee." Her imagination then runs away with ideas of giant pet fleas big enough to ride. It sets the tone for a character who's funny and charming and sure to steal your heart as poetry helps her find her voice.
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars
Title: Revolution
Author: Deborah Wiles
Pages: 544
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 9780545106078
Publication Date: May 27, 2014 (I received an ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley.)
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18527498-revolution
In a nutshell: It gets quite steamy in Greenwood, Mississippi in the summertime, and in the summer of 1964, three children break into the city pool for a midnight dip, and they have no idea how that one act will end up entwining their lives for the rest of the summer. Told through the eyes of a white girl and an African-American boy, Revolution is a tale of standing up for what's right, realizing that family and friendship come in many forms, and learning to rise above pain and embrace love.
I'd recommend it to grades: 5 and up (for intense racial situations, violence, and use of the "n" word in context)
I'd recommend it to: American history teachers, historical fiction lovers, and Scout Finch fans ;)
What I liked most about this book: I adored Countdown,
so I had very high expectations for this one (especially since we had to wait 4 years for it!), and it still managed to
exceed them. The dual narration of Sunny and Raymond is genius (as is the book design - Her pages are white and his are darker.), and it truly helps you see what life is like from the perspective of both races. Just as in Countdown, the author mixes in actual photographs and speeches from 1964 and Freedom Summer, which adds a richness to the story.
As a Mississippi girl, it's painful for me to
read books like this sometimes, but it also makes me glad to see how far
we've come. It amazes me that all this takes place a mere 20 years
before I was born, and it makes me wonder what I would have done if I'd
been alive in those dark days. This is turning out to be one fantastic
trilogy and maybe even some of the best historical fiction books for
kids I've ever read, and I cannot wait for book three. I predict it'll
be about Vietnam.
The biggest compliment I can give this book is that it's like To Kill a Mockingbird for kids.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): This gem from Sunny's stepmother Annabelle: "I think love is a mystery," says Annabelle. "We never know where it may come from or how it may surprise us or when it may ask us to do the impossible. But we know one thing about love. It is steady. It is brave."
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars
Title: March: Book One
Authors: John Lewis and Andrew Aydin (Illustrated by Nate Powell*)
Pages: 128
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
ISBN: 9781603093002
Publication Date: August 13, 2013
AR Levels: Book Level - 4.6, Interest Level - 4th-8th grades, Points: 1.0
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17346698-march
In a nutshell: This 2014 Coretta Scott King Honor Book is the first of a trilogy chronicling the life of Congressman John Lewis, the Civil Rights Movement hero, in graphic novel format. Book one highlights his childhood and the beginning of his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement, including his participation in the non-violent movement and the sit-in demonstrations.
I'd recommend it to grades: 8 and up (for intense situations and use of the "n" word in context)
I'd recommend it to: American history teachers, students who love graphic novels and history, and fans of Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis
What I liked most about this book: I'll be honest; I'm not a huge fan of non-fiction, which is mostly why we don't review a lot of it here, but I am always up for reading graphic non-fiction, especially biographies, and this one impressed me greatly. There's something about seeing a person's life illustrated on the page that brings it alive, and this one is an excellent example of how artwork can make someone's life story so much more engaging and impactful. By seeing images of these sit-ins and not just reading about them, you can truly feel the tension and the courage it took for Lewis and his fellow protestors to stay true to their non-violent commitment. I was moved in more ways than one, and I even learned a few new things I had never known about the Civil Rights Movement. I can't wait for the other two books.
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): Lewis notes that his librarian played a large role in his life and encouraged him to read whatever he could get his hands on. :) Yay, libraries!
Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars
*It also noted in the back of this book that Nate Powell is currently working on the graphic novel adaptation of Rick Riordan's The Lost Hero! Get excited!
