Coretta Scott King Honor Award for Illustration (2019)
Kirkus' Best Picture Books of 2018
Chicago Public Library's Best of 2018
The Children's Book Review Best of Nonfiction 2018

I've been reading a lot of related books lately, most of which have been meaningful... but something about this is especially effective and actual tears came to my eyes. The photos in the back probably contributed a lot.

Attn. libraries: Please do something to make the full endpapers visible, or at least to reveal the data hidden by the flaps. ( )

This book would be appropriate for any elementary age level because it is simple, but each page is so powerful with a lesson.
This book is about a family who gets together at their church to plan a march during the Civil Rights Movement. The parents of the family were worried about losing their jobs by joining the march, so the kids brought it up on themselves to march for their family. This book explored the hardships faced by African-American's during this time.
This book would be great for learning about the Civil Rights Movement and learning about African-American history. ( )

I continue on my Civil Rights journey. Interestingly, I vividly remember being at the Rothman Institute in Thomas Jefferson hospital with a halo on my head. After a ten hour surgery, on the first follow up visit, my bones were still so degenerative that a few of the screws became lose, and a halo was mentioned as the solution.

It was exceedingly difficult to move. Eating was impossible, and the weight of the halo was difficult to deal with. Watching TV, I happened upon the anniversary of the crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Barrack Obama marched across the bridge with members of the original crossing, and I had tears in my eyes while listening to his speech and grasping the importance of the occasion.

This set me on a journey to learn more about the Civil Rights movement, and since that time, I've read too many books to count, all of them excellent. It's scary to know that while we may have come further in civil rights, still, we are facing an election at a time in history when it is imperative to have a non racist president, and it is difficult to grasp the hatred and bigotry that still exists. Recently, Haitians were accused of "eating dogs!!!"

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Edmund-Pettus-Bridge

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/03/07/remarks-preside....

1963 was an important year for the Civil Rights movement. Birmingham, Alabama was the center of violence and hatred. Known as "Bombingham" because of the many bombs that were thrown by incredible bigots who burned down the houses of black leaders.

The first week of May 1963 African American families gathered in Birmingham to hear Martin Luther King, Jr. People came to strategize how to mobilize and rally against the terrible Jim Crow laws that kept blacks separate from whites with totally disparate rules and rights.

That very special week, thousands of young people, including children and teens volunteered to march for their rights. Looking back, it is incredible to note the bravery of these souls who faced strong water hoses that flung their young bodies against the walls. These incredible people monumentally changed the United States.

This very well written, with detailed illustrations chronicles the bravery and the outcome of the young people's march.

The impact of happenings in 1963 can never be overlooked, and this book outlines very important events that are chronicled at the beginning of the children's march:

Beginning in January of that year, the infamous hater of blacks, Governor George Wallace made his inauguration speech stating "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever!"

In April the first organized sit in took place at downtown luncheon establishments. In addition, Martin Luther King and others were arrested after they led a non-violent protest.

In May the Birmingham Children's Crusade began. By the end of the day of May 2, the book notes 973 young marchers were jailed!

May 3 Continued protests are held by the children's crusaders and the violence by the infamous Bull Connor was increased by using high-pressured water hoses AND police dogs. This day marked 1,000 arrested.

May 4-9 More protests occur and now the adults joined the children. As noted, the jails are full as young protestors are continually locked away in cells.

May 10 An important day as Martin Luther King reaches an agreement to begin the process of desegregation. Now, threatened and ugly in violence, the Ku Klux Klan holds a rally and bombs the home of MLK's brother.

May 19 Incredibly ignorant, the school board expels many of the student demonstrators. A federal judge will overturn this ruling three days later.

We can never underestimate what these brave children did and the courage it took to continue, knowing danger be the outcome.

Highly recommended. Five Stars! ( )

From Kirkus: "A powerful retrospective glimpse at a key event (the Birmingham Children's Crusade)."