Summary
This is a book about the March of Birmingham Alabama in 1963. It showed how the children of African American descent marched for their freedom. It was three days long and each day the children protesting peacefully were threatened and jailed by the police. Even though they were put into jail they did not lose hope. Eventually their message made it to president Kennedy and he started the process of desegregation. By the end of this book segregation no longer existed.
Theme(s):
Civil Rights, Making A Difference, Courage
Personal Response
This book is a great way to introduce kids to the civil rights movement and have them understand what segregation is and the struggles that came along with it. The author put great detail and facts of the March in Birmingham Alabama into this book. I could feel the emotion behind the words written on this topic. The illustrations matched up perfectly with the author’s words and gave a deeper picture for what the event was like in 1963.
Teaching Ideas
I would use this book as a read aloud during a Civil Rights Movement unit. I would preface the book by asking if anyone has heard of the March on Birmingham, and introduce what segregation means. I would then read the book and ask guiding questions throughout. After reading I would have students create a list of issues that they know of today and to write them down with a partner. After that they would come up with ways they could solve these problems and share an idea with the class.
Recommended Reading Level
Grade 01, Grade 02, Grade 03, Grade 04
