BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hoose, Phillip. 2009. CLAUDETTE COLVIN: TWICE TOWARD JUSTICE. New York, N.Y.: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 0374313227
SUMMARY
Rosa Parks is a familiar name in the Civil Rights Movement who took a stand against racial segregation and injustice. Author Philip Hoose brings to light a lesser known teenager, Claudette Colvin, who refused to give her seat to a white person and thereby played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Back in 1955, Claudette Colvin lived in Montgomery, Alabama where people were divided on the basis of their color, white and black. White and black people had separate schools, bathrooms, restaurants, buses seats and movie theaters. This law of segregation or separation was also called Jim Crow law. On March 2nd 1955, Claudette Colvin was travelling in a segregated bus, where the front four rows were reserved for white passengers only. Black passengers had to give up their seats to white passengers if there were additional white passengers. She had occupied the seats behind the reserved seats but when additional white passengers boarded the bus, a white woman expected her to vacate her seat for her. Her friends gave up their seats but Claudette refused. She was arrested on the charges of violating segregation laws. After being released on bail she was treated more like an outcast and an unfit role model by her own classmates instead of being celebrated as a Civil Rights hero. Later she made a significant contribution towards the Civil Rights movement by becoming one of the four plaintiffs in the case Browder vs. Gayle.
This is an inspiring biography of a young girl with wonderful accounts of her courage that helped change the course of history and has been presented in a very interesting and a heart touching way by author Philip Hoose.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The book has been written by author Philip Hoose in simple words so that it is easy to understand by the younger audience. The book is divided into two parts. The first part has eight chapters that depict the condition of Montgomery in 1955, the segregation laws and the injustice that was done because of the Jim Crow law. The second part of the book has two chapters that describe the Browder vs. Gayle case and the rage and outcry in Montgomery.
There is an author’s note and an index at the end of the book.There are several photographs in the book that show segregation of whites and blacks in restaurants, waiting rooms and movie theaters. The photographs play an important role in keeping the readers connected to the book by giving them actual account of the events that happened along with the interesting text that complemented them. The note at the end of the book shows that the author had consulted a number of books, websites and articles to write about Claudette. He had also conducted 14 interviews with her between Jan –Sept 2007 before writing the book.
This book gives young readers the inspiration and the message to make a difference in society by standing against injustice. The author has brought an unsung Civil Right Movement hero in light through his hard work and extensive research in the form of this wonderful book.
AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPT (S)
2009 National Book Award Winner, Young People’s Literature
Jane Addams Honor Book Award
Booklist, Starred Review: “Hoose draws from numerous personal interviews with Colvin in this exceptional title that is part historical account, part memoir. Hoose’s lucid explanations of background figures and events alternate with lengthy passages in Colvin’s own words, and the mix of voices creates a comprehensive view of the Montgomery bus boycott and the landmark court case, Browder v. Gayle, that grew from it.”
School Library Journal: “The text is supplemented with black-and-white photos, reproductions of period newspapers and documents, and sidebars. While virtually all students know Rosa Parks's story, this well-written and engaging book will introduce them to a teen who also fought for racial justice and give them a new perspective on the era, making it an outstanding choice for most collections.”
CONNECTIONS
* Each student could do a research project on one Civil Rights Movement hero
and present it to the class.
*As a group, students could do a timeline on major events in Black History and describe them too.
* Discussion could be held on topics like segregation laws and discrimination and how they affected people and society.
*Related books:
-Morrison, Tony. 2004. REMEMBER: THE JOURNEY TO SCHOOL INTEGRATION. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618397402
-Bridges, Ruby. 1999. THROUGH MY EYES. Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780545108553
-Moore, Johnny Ray.2002. THE STORY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. Ideals Publications. ISBN 0824941446
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