Monday, October 20, 2014

Because They Marched by Russell Freedman - ESSENTIAL

Freedman, Russell  Because They Marched,  83p. NON-FICTION.  Holiday House, 2014.   $20.00. Language: G (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13.

In January 1965, the public school teachers of Selma, Alabama walked to the local courthouse in an attempt to register to vote.  This touched off a new wave of marches and protests, including a five day march to Montgomery, the stat capitol, to register their protest directly with the governor.   The local sheriff, the Ku Klux Klan, and others did their best to stop the protests with weapons and hate, but the marchers would finally prevail.

The path towards civil rights for blacks in America was not forged by one march, one sit-in, or one protest.  instead it took years of concerted effort all over the south by droves people of every color.  I have loved that there are so many well-written non-fiction books for children that cover this era.  Hooray for 50th anniversaries! An other excellent addition to a varied non-fiction collection.

MS - ESSENTIAL
Cindy - Library Teacher 

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