Smith-Llera, Danielle. Black Power Salute: How A Photographer Captured a Political Protest.

Smith-Llera, Danielle. Black Power Salute: How A Photographer Captured a Political Protest. Capstone Publishers   2017  64p      $34.65  ISBN 978-0-7565-5526-9      ms/hs Nonfiction  E-BN

This history book features a strong emphasis on photojournalism, as well as being one of the few books for youth that put the 1968 Olympic Games Black Power Salute in the context of the larger Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.  The author shows how the nonviolent protest affected the lives of the runners from San José State University afterward. She also gives detailed information on the symbolic reasons for the ways they wore various items of clothing (the raised pant leg, the unzipped jacket), the symbolism of the white necklace, and their shoes (or lack thereof). The photojournalists who documented the 1968 Olympic Games are named, and there is an explanation of how they came to be in a position to document what became an iconic moment.      

The series Captured Sports History includes eight titles that capture unique moments in sports. Each one features biographical information on the athletes and the photojournalists within the context of the times. The excellent photos and concise writing will appeal to readers of all ages. Grades 4+.   

Summary: Detailed background on the Black Power salute by U.S. runners during the 1968 Olympic Games, placed in the context of the 1960s Civil Rights movement. The photojournalist who captured the images is featured as well. Grades 4-12.

Civil Rights Movement, 1968 Olympic Games, Photojournalism

                                                                        --Lois McNicol