Common Core
STEAM
Graphic
Novel
High/Low
Chapter
Book
Large
Print
Series Tracker
Manga
Big
Book
Board
Book
Hot
Title
Adult
Language
Mature
Content
Ebook
Ebook
MUA (Multi User Access)
Light Novel
| Perma-Bound Edition ©2023 | -- |
| Publisher's Hardcover ©2022 | -- |
| Paperback ©2023 | -- |
African Americans. Civil rights. History. 20th century. Juvenile poetry.
Civil rights movements. United States. History. 20th century. Juvenile poetry.
African Americans. Civil rights. History. 20th century. Poetry.
Civil rights movements. United States. History. 20th century. Poetry.
Gr 7 Up Short poems use negative space and concrete poetry elements to tell the history of the civil rights movement in the United States. The prelude focuses on the "Separate, but Equal" ruling, and then the narrative is broken into three sections: "One Step Forward, Two Steps Back," "Power to the People," and "The Beginning of the End." Tragedies, events, and people who were ignored by history are discussed, along with those who made the history books. The use of negative space and the occasional implementation of different fonts or concrete poetry impacts the narrative, like the visuals in a picture book. For instance, the poem "1959 March 5th" recalls the fire at the Negro Boys Industrial School in Wrightsville, AR. The word "bodies" is printed 21 times (in three columns and seven rows), referencing the number of victims "piledone top of another." The refrain "and on and on the Blacks Marched," followed by the word "marched" repeated on the page, occurs several times within the book. Black-and-white photographs, surveys, signs, and even arrest records are included. Extensive back matter includes a time line for the poems, sources cited, a bibliography, and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail." VERDICT The impact of the poems in this powerful, necessary book is strengthened by the layout of the text and drives home the struggle for civil rights. A strong first purchase. Tamara Saarinen
ALA Booklist (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)This striking collection of poems documents milestones in the civil rights movement. A combination of free verse, effortless rhymes, and precise word placement evokes nuanced settings and triggers deep emotional responses. The poems build on each other, occasionally repeating passages to simulate the long, weary struggle. They address harsh circumstances and deplorable events and use accordingly harsh language and imagery (including frequent racial slurs but only in historical context or direct quote; never gratuitously). Black-and-white archival photos, newspaper headlines, quotes, and brief, one-sentence historical references provide insight and add poignancy but never interfere with the flow. While each entry can stand alone, the power is magnified when the poems are read in sequence. Back matter includes a bibliography, an annotated time line of the events, and slightly expanded versions of the incorporated quotes, adding further context. This is a strong, historically accurate collection that can enhance any social studies or language arts unit. More important, audiences will appreciate these poems that leap off the pages, bringing history, pain, dignity, and fierce determination to life.
Kirkus Reviews (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)This collection guides readers through the era of civil rights activism that began when racial segregation in schools was deemed illegal by the Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education.Debut author Martin surveys events and figures from the 1950s and 1960s in poetic musings that often take advantage of their forms to situate readers in these suffocating, intense decades of racial violence. Historical photographs are juxtaposed against the text, adding to the impact. Martin's work is most effective when revealing lesser-known aspects of history-like a quiet, haunting meditation on how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. enjoyed playing pool or an ode highlighting Claudette Colvin, unsung teen precursor to Rosa Parks. However, awkward phrasing comes across as dissonant when dealing with the horrors discussed throughout, as with these lines: "This is the story of Emmett Till / about the way he was ultimately killed // he crossed his murderers at / Bryant's Grocery and Meat Market / no one would save him / no one would stop it." Readers who overlook the sometimes-underwhelming craft elements will appreciate places where the writing shines, as when a participant in the Memphis sanitation strike wonders: "3/5 of a man, / am I / still?"Sparse, accessible pieces to connect budding poets to history, marred by inconsistent quality. (author's note, timeline, quotation sources, image credits, further reading, bonus content) (Poetry. 12-18)
School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)
ALA Booklist (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)
Kirkus Reviews (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)
It's 1877 when
Jim Crow laws say it's
acceptable
legal
lawful
to segregate Blacks
&
whites
based on the color of
their skin.
In
schools
hospitals
churches
cemeteries
prisons
public transit
restaurants---
if you were not
white
you were lesser
less than
human.
For years
&
years
&
years
&
years
nothing changed,
until 1954
when the Supreme Court reversed its decision
& ruled segregation unconstitutional.
Yet still,
nothing changed.
Because a ruling is only as effective
as its real--world execution.
the Supreme Court rules
in 1896
Blacks are
"Separate but Equal"
yet
outside
in the middle of July
in Birmingham, Alabama,
sweat drips
d
o
w
n
your forehead
your neck
your back
drenching
your shirt
your shorts
your socks
s e p a r a t e
but equal
you find a water fountain
your water fountain
and press the small rusty button
water arches
up
and out
waiting
for your
puck ered
lips
s e p a r a t e
but equal
only
it's hot
brown
tastes like dirt
you glance around
checking for them
then
sneak a sip
from their fountain
s e p a r a t e
but equal
it's cold
ice--cold
and refreshing
you sigh
s e p a r a t e
but equal
you are
not.
the Civil Rights Movement
was more than just
Dr. King
marching,
Rosa Parks
sitting,
Malcolm X
fighting.
it was
your mom
your grandma
your best friend's great--aunt.
it was
everyday people
like you and me.
1954
May 17
Brown v. Board of Education
+
inherently unequal, an unconstitutional violation of the fourteenth amendment
=
white schools
+
Black schools
=
a great day for America and its court.
= segregation in public schools now illegal
in theory.
SIGNS, EVERYWHERE YOU GO . . . whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only whites only WHITES ONLY
for colored
their (other) signs read
funny thing is
white is still a color
Excerpted from And We Rise by Erica Martin
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
*"A powerful, necessary book." SLJ, starred review
A powerful, impactful, eye-opening journey that explores through the Civil Rights Movement in 1950s-1960s America in spare and evocative verse, with historical photos interspersed throughout.
In stunning verse and vivid use of white space, Erica Martin's debut poetry collection walks readers through the Civil Rights Movement—from the well-documented events that shaped the nation’s treatment of Black people, beginning with the "Separate but Equal" ruling—and introduces lesser-known figures and moments that were just as crucial to the Movement and our nation's centuries-long fight for justice and equality.
A poignant, powerful, all-too-timely collection that is both a vital history lesson and much-needed conversation starter in our modern world. Complete with historical photographs, author's note, chronology of events, research, and sources.
Praise for And We Rise:
*"This powerful collection of poems serves not only as a history lesson but also a conversation starter about the civil rights movement and other events that have impacted the treatment of Black Americans throughout history." -- SLC (starred review)
"A strong, historically accurate collection that can enhance any social studies or language arts unit. More important, audiences will appreciate these poems that leap off the pages, bringing history, pain, dignity, and fierce determination to life." --Booklist