Glory Be

Scattergood, Augusta    Glory Be    

 Scholastic/Grolier/Childrens Press/Watts  2012  202p  $16.99      978-0-545-33180-7   VG-BN    elm/ms      Historical fiction     

In this delightfully written book about friendship, civil rights and segregation in small-town Mississippi in the early 1960s, the first thought that came to my mind was that this was The Help for young readers.  Young Gloriana and her friend Frankie present their view of civil rights workers coming to Hanging Moss, Mississippi, and how desegregation brought about change in their lives and community, as their families approach the "problem" from two very different perspectives. It is well written and engaging, and the author does a super job of making a complex and divisive subject understandable for the young reader.          

VG-BN Lynn Fisher                Race relations, Civil Rights Movement, Prejudice

 

The Silence of Our Friends

Long, Mark, et al.      The Silence of Our Friends    

 Macmillan/ First Second 2012 198p   $16.99      978-1-59643-618-3    

 ms/jr Historical fiction   E-BN   Graphic novel    

This graphic novel takes place in Texas in 1968.  A black professor and a white journalist meet at a Civil Rights rally and slowly become friends as the reporter learns firsthand about the injustices done to people because of the color of their skin. 

                                                                 

The lessons of this book are not so much about what is done to a person of color as what is allowed to happen to a person of color.  Even as the white reporter struggles to get the story behind the Civil Rights Movement and tries to understand why it is happening, the professor struggles with the ignorance of cruelty done to his people simply because their skin is black.  The reporter's children and wife also struggle with the ugly truth.  Their white neighbors are outraged that they socialize with the people of color and begin to ostracize the family, which stands its ground and refuses to be intimidated.  The professor continues to fight for justice and to teach about equality and human rights for all people, especially people of color.

This is a truly excellent graphic novel depicting the rawness and ugliness of racial prejudice.  The children learn a valuable lesson as they learn how nice the professor’s family really is, and eventually they do not even notice that they are different.

This is a must-read for all ages.        

E-BN  Magna Diaz        Graphic novels, Civil Rights movement

 

To The Mountaintop: My Journey Through the Civil Rights Movement

Hunter-Gault, Charlayne To The Mountaintop: My Journey Through the Civil Rights Movement  

 Macmillan Books/ Roaring Brook Press 2012  198p  $22.99

978-1-59643-605-3       ms/hs  VG-BN     Nonfiction             

This volume chronicles the Civil Rights Movement, from the point of view of Charlayne Hunter-Gault, one of the first black students to integrate the University of Georgia.  Supplemented with historical articles and photos, this narrative gives personal insight into the lives of many of the young participants in the movement, including that of journalist Hunter-Gault.  The narrative represents six years, 1960 though 1965, and it is interspersed with details of her journalistic career. 

Each year is separated by facsimile newspaper stories and illustrated with archival photographs.  Each newspaper story represented in the chapter headings is also included in the supplemental material at the end of the narrative.

Additional supplemental material includes a detailed time line running from 1787 to 2009 and a comprehensive bibliography and index.  But it is Hunter-Gault’s own story that makes this book memorable.  A very useful and readable addition to Civil Rights collections in middle and high school libraries.    

     

VG-BN Pat Naismith      Civil Rights Movement, Race relations

 

Aretha, David. Black Power.

Aretha, David.  Black Power.  

 Morgan Reynolds, 2012.  128p. $28.95 ISBN 978-1-59935-164-3 ms/hs VG-BNS     

     This history of one phase of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States begins with the election of Stokely Carmichael to lead the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and SNCC's subsequent turn to a more militant stance in fighting for civil rights for African Americans. 
     The book is very thorough, although there are two instances where an error appears, namely the notion that “white flight” could be blamed on the Black Power movement.  (This is stated both on page 113 at the bottom of the page, and on the back cover of the book.)  White flight had actually begun decades prior to this era, when an influx of Blacks to northern cities occurred at the end of World War Two.
     However, despite this historical error, the book is fairly thorough, although the timeline omits the assassination of Malcolm X.
     There is a timeline, a list of source notes, an extensive bibliography, a good list of resources for further research, and an index.  Photographs are good, and compliment the text nicely.   

     Other books in the Civil Rights Movement series include The Murder of Emmett Till, The Trial of the Scottsboro Boys, Selma and the Voting Rights Act, and Sit-Ins and Freedom Rides. 

Subject: African Americans - Civil Rights

Carol Kennedy

Aretha, David. Black Power.

Aretha, David.  Black Power.  Morgan Reynolds, 2012.  128p. $28.95 ISBN 978-1-59935-164-3 ms/hs VG-BNS     

     This history of one phase of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States begins with the election of Stokely Carmichael to lead the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and SNCC's subsequent turn to a more militant stance in fighting for civil rights for African Americans. 
     The book is very thorough, although there are two instances where an error appears, namely the notion that “white flight” could be blamed on the Black Power movement.  (This is stated both on page 113 at the bottom of the page, and on the back cover of the book.)  White flight had actually begun decades prior to this era, when an influx of Blacks to northern cities occurred at the end of World War Two.
     However, despite this historical error, the book is fairly thorough, although the timeline omits the assassination of Malcolm X.
     There is a timeline, a list of source notes, an extensive bibliography, a good list of resources for further research, and an index.  Photographs are good, and compliment the text nicely.   

     Other books in the Civil Rights Movement series include The Murder of Emmett Till, The Trial of the Scottsboro Boys, Selma and the Voting Rights Act, and Sit-Ins and Freedom Rides. 

Subject: African Americans - Civil Rights

Carol Kennedy

Hinman, Bonnie. Eternal vigilance : the story of Ida B. Wells-Barnett

Hinman, Bonnie.         Eternal vigilance : the story of Ida B. Wells-Barnett

Morgan Reynolds      2011   128p   28.95  978-1-59935-111-7            

ms/hs             Civil Rights Leaders           VG-BNS           

Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and her uncompromising fight

for civil rights, and against lynching, are profiled in this well-written and

thought-provoking biography of one of the great crusaders in American history.

            On pale lavender pages, with well-chosen period photos, the life of Civil

Rights crusader Ida B. Wells-Barnett is examined.  While giving some details of

her early life, this volume focuses more on her deeds than the details of her

personal life.  For more detailed account of her personal life, a more useful

book would be Dennis and Judith Fradin's Ida B. Wells: Mother of the Civil

Rights Movement (Clarion, 2000).   Each stage of Wells-Barnett's life is placed

in historical context, providing a better understanding of the world in which

she lived. From slavery, through Jim Crow Laws, Wells-Barnett fought against

injustice, gaining valuable allies, yet making powerful enemies.  It is

interesting to note, that , although she was considered a major ╥Muckraker╙ that

term appears nowhere in the text nor the index.  

Well-chosen black-and-white photographs and illustrations, as well as other

period materials, some personal primary source narratives, are also included

throughout the text.  A timeline, extensive chapter notes, bibliographical

references and an index complete this valuable volume.

            This book is part of the Civil Rights Leaders series.  The series consists

of 7 books at this time.  The focus of the series is to profile famous civil

rights leaders.            Naismith, Pat

Stotts, Stuart We Shall Overcome:

Stotts, Stuart We Shall Overcome: A Song That Changed the World
Clarion see Houghton Mifflin 2010 72p 18.00 978-0-547-18210-0
elm/ms We shall overcome. VG-BN


“ Examine the origins of the popular protest song, and describes the role the song played in civil rights, labor, and anti-war movements in America. Includes an audio CD with a performance by Pete Seeger.”
While this title is geared toward upper level elementary and middle school students, but it could also work with upper level students too. In this title, the author traces the history of the song “We Shall Overcome” across a long period of time. This song sung by Pete Seeger helps inspire, comfort, and motivate people to believe in themselves. The book covers important historical events including important historical events including the Civil Rights Movement and labor organizations. The author addresses how music has played a role in our nation’s history and that songs keep changing and evolving to reflect current times. During the Civil War, “I’ll Be All Right” was the signature song sung by slaves and it is compared to the song today we know as “We Shall Overcome.” Charles Tindley’s “I’ll Overcome Some Day” helped serve as an inspiration for “We Shall Overcome.”

Filled with period photographs, archival images and illustrations, this title assists readers by providing them with a real view of what really happened in our history. Students who need to research this song title are provided with a great resource and facts in an easy-to-comprehend title. Includes a CD of the song “We Shall Overcome” sung by Pete Seeger. Forba-Mayer, Charleen

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell They Called Themselves the K.K.K.

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell They Called Themselves the K.K.K.
Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher 2010 172p 19.00
978-0-618-44033-7 ms/hs E-BN
An introduction to the Ku Klux Klan from a social, emotional, historical and visual perspective, including many archival photos and personal narratives. An excellent source of information from the Civil War and beyond.
Profusely illustrated with photos and drawings, supplemented with primary source material, this engaging narrative of the Ku Klux Klan is more than the history of the organization, it is the story of the founders, members, and those affected by Klan activity. The volume begins with an introduction to the history of the 1860s, followed by a description of the supposed origins of the Klan. First-person narratives and political and social anecdotal stories flesh out the mind set of both Klan members and minority groups.

Powerful images (many from the Library of Congress archives), as well as excellent use of white space, and clear, understandable language, make this volume accessible to the most reluctant reader, while at the same time, earning praise from period scholars. Extensive supplementary material accompanies the text and photos. A Civil Rights timeline, quote attributions , a bibliography and source notes, as well as an extensive index complete the volume.

The only that my “inquiring mind” would have liked in the way of anecdotal information, was whether or not the Nazarine costumes of Semana Santa in Spain had any influence on the established Klan’s choice of costume.
Highly recommended for middle and high school social studies collections. One cannot go wrong purchasing any of Bartloetti’s book, and this is no exception. Naismith, Pat
Ku Klux Klan

McMullan, Margaret Sources of Light

McMullan, Margaret Sources of Light
Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher 2010 233p 16.00
978-0-547-07659-1 hs Historical E-BN
Set in 1962 in Mississippi, Sam’s photography makes relatives, teachers and neighbors uneasy as she documents abuses during the civil rights movement. Powerful reading that captures the time period and conflicts perfectly. Grades 7-12.
A powerful novel about segregation and the civil rights movement in Mississippi in 1962. The plot races along with Samantha taking photos of everyday things that define Mississippi as well as events that are raising the ire of “true Southerners” that live in her neighborhood. Sam, given a camera by her mother’s friend, likes the idea that she can hide behind the camera and keep a low profile as she is introverted by nature. Little does she realize that the photos she takes as well as those that Perry takes will lead her into peril and cause her to become an activist. Weaving in the Vietnam War, the nuclear scare and bomb shelters, popular culture such as the Dinah Shore television show, saddle shoes, Bazooka bubblegum, and slumber parties with baby-doll pajamas, the reader becomes immersed in 1960’s culture as well as historical events. Those who did not want segregation do vile things to blacks as well as anyone who supports desegregation. The novel is not sugarcoated and the thoughts of both sides receive equal attention with Sam’s family values of respecting every human winning in the end. Captivating reading that will fit in to any curriculum unit on the 1960’s as well as courses in photography. Outstanding novel for grades 7-12. Strongly recommended for grades 7-12 for the depiction of the civil rights movement and culture of Mississippi in 1962. The reader feels the turmoil caused by beliefs on both sides of the segregation debate. Captivating reading. McNicol,Lois

Political Profiles: John Lewis.

Sapet, Kerrily. Political Profiles: John Lewis.
Morgan Reynolds 2009 128p 28.95
Political Profiles (Morgan R)#8
978-1-59935-130-8 ms/hs VG-BN
Although not a name in the mainstream political arena, John Lewis is a formidable choice for a series which includes Barack Obama and John McCain. Lewis’s life, struggles, devotion to a cause and accomplishments in Congress are highlighted. John Lewis’s name is not well-known. However, his role in history is undeniable. He will be remembered as a man who fought for a cause, and he will be remembered as a Congressman who lived to see the fruits of his battles for basic human rights. The seven chapters of this book show him as the child of a poor background who did not accept his place in the South. Instead, after viewing, firsthand, the integration of the North, he never relented in his fight to achieve equality for all African Americans. Doors opened for him because he deemed it so. Lewis was a Freedom Rider, he helped to form the Student Nonviolent Coordinating committee, he appeared with Martin Luther King at various protests and he was a leading civil rights organizer. After the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, he took on the state of Alabama, a seemingly insurmountable objective. His fearlessness in the face of adversity led him to many more successes in life. Today, as a Congressman, he has advocated for changes in education, health, and the environment, to name a few. The full-page portrait of John Lewis is the title page to each new chapter, and his is the face of determination and pride. Additional photographs portray a period of American history that is not a proud period, and Kerrily Sapet’s biographical information is thorough and well-researched. She ends with a timeline, a bibliography, a list of sources to consult and an index. Squaresky, Martha

When children marched: Birmingham civil rights movement. by Robert H. Mayer

Mayer, Robert H. When children marched: Birmingham civil rights movement.
Enslow, 2008, $34.60, 176p, 978-0-7660-2930-0

“Discusses the Birmingham civil rights movement, the great leaders of the movement, and the roles of the children who helped fight for equal rights and to end segregation in Birmingham.”
Without a doubt, Dr. Martin Luther King is the civil rights leader that most students are familiar with. What they may not realize is that in the battle for equality, there were many unknown foot soldiers, and some of those soldiers were children. The focus of this title is on the role. The young children and teens of Birmingham played in helping the city, one of the South’s most segregated, do away with the Jim Crow laws that made blacks second class citizens. Extremely well researched and documented, as noted in the chapter notes, the author places this particular event in the context of the Civil Rights Movement and particularly, in Birmingham itself. A detailed explanation of the events leading up to the march helps the reader to understand the impact and effect that the children had when they took to the streets and followed the practice of nonviolent confrontation to denounce segregation. Their courage in the face of imprisonment is underscored by the excellent black and white photographs showing the confrontation between King and his followers and that of Bull Connor and the Birmingham police. The layout, with shaded black and gold bar at the top of each page, is dignified and lent a serious tone to the narrative. A red font for each paragraph heading helps the reader to scan ahead for important information. Photographs include a full page spreads and smaller inserts, on most pages. Also contributing to the narrative are lengthy primary source passages from key figures involved in the march. Includes a time line, chapter notes, a glossary, additional information for research, and an index. This title is a first choice for research and as the title indicates, shows young children that they can make a difference in the world. RZ

An informative biography

Schraff, Anne. Ida B. Wells-Barnett.
Enslow, 2008. 128p $31.93 978-0-7660-2704-6
African American Biographies series

This informative biography of the civil rights activist, teacher, and journalist provides a solid introduction to the life of Ida B. Wells-Barnett. She was an eloquent and passionate woman who fought for justice and against hate crimes such as lynching. An early incident in her life is a precursor to the Rosa Parks protest, when Wells-Barnett refuses to leave her seat in a whites only train car. Most students know about Parks and will be able to relate to this earlier event. There are historical black and white, sepia, and a few color photographs that elucidate the text at the appropriate places as well as sidebars that provide background about the time period. Some primary sources are pictured, such as a photo of Wells-Barnett’s newspaper article. The format includes a chronology, chapter notes, suggestions for further reading, Internet addresses, and an index. Recommended for Tristate Books of Note Series with the caveat that there is an error on page 97 where a caption for a photograph reads: “Mary Church Terrell was another women who advocated for African-American rights.” This should be changed in later printings.
There are twenty-four other biographies in this series that highlights prominent African-Americans. TW