Book Details:
Year of Publication: 2021
Genre: Biography (Middle Grade)
Format (How I Read It): Paperback
Goodreads Synopsis:
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger comes a chapter book series about women who stood up, spoke up and rose up against the odds!
In this chapter book biography by award-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome, readers learn about the amazing life of Claudette Colvin–and how she persisted.
Before Rosa Parks famously refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin made the same choice. She insisted on standing up–or in her case, sitting down–for what was right, and in doing so, fought for equality, fairness, and justice.
Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Claudette Colvin’s footsteps and make a difference!
Book Review
Themes/Main Ideas: Stand up for what’s right. Anyone can make a difference. A small step toward justice can make a big difference.
Character Development: I really loved learning about Claudette Colvin and her role in the Civil Rights Movement. I just wish we got to know her a little bit better during the course of this book. We get to learn a little about her childhood, but it’s mostly limited to her family and the role of religion in her life.
Plot/Pacing: It was really short, and while I would have loved to learn some more details about her life and who she was as a person, I think it’s good that it’s not overly long. It’s enough to get kids interested in Claudette Colvin and the Civil Rights Movement in general. It also had some great illustrations throughout.
Writing Style: The writing style was simple and easy to follow. The background information about the historical context was included smoothly, which I appreciated! It was incorporated well with the rest of the story of her life.
“Bingeability”: High.
Emotional Investment: Moderate.
Windows and Mirrors: Civil Rights Movement. Segregation. Jim Crow laws.
Overall Thoughts: Although I wish it went more in depth, I did find it very uplifting and inspiring. I learned a lot! This would be a great one to keep in the classroom.
Recommendation: This is a book that could potentially be used as a read-aloud. It could definitely be used as a book club book/novel study! I’ll definitely be keeping this in my classroom as an option for independent reading. It would also be a great model for teaching about biographies.
Thank you for reading my review! Leave a comment letting me know if you’ve read this one or have any questions about it, and keep an eye out for my next review!
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