The Movement: 1957 (Exploring Civil Rights)

by Susan Taylor (Author)

The Movement: 1957 (Exploring Civil Rights)
Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade

Key events of the Civil Rights Movement will be brought to life in this exciting and informative new series.

1957 was a year of new beginnings and hope for a growing movement. In January, prominent civil rights leaders attended a historic meeting in Georgia with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the helm. In September, as protests were heating up around the nation, a group of Black students, known as the Little Rock Nine, integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. At the same time, activists' push for legislation resulted in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Progress toward equality for Blacks was slow, but people's commitment to the movement continued to deepen by the year as the prospect of change seemed possible.

ABOUT THE SERIES:

The years from 1955 to 1965 are at the heart of the civil rights movement--from the Montgomery bus boycott to the Voting Rights Act. The contributions of key activists, including Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Barbara Nash, and Malcolm X, are part of the narrative. Demonstrations of passive resistance and legal challenges were often met with bloodshed and violence against Black Americans fighting to end segregation and discrimination. Yet the courage of those yearning for equal opportunities under the law ultimately produced legislation affirming that every American should have the same constitutional rights, regardless of color, race, or gender.With stunning photographs throughout and rich back matter, each book focuses on a specific year and chronologically follows the detailed events that occurred and the changes that took place.

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School Library Journal

Gr 5-8--Each of these titles focuses on pivotal events and key figures of the civil rights movement within a specific year. Plentiful photos show sit-ins, protesters, and celebrities like Chuck Berry and Jackie Robinson. Sidebars highlight connections such as media portrayals of prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird or West Side Story. There is a special look at an event from 100 years earlier; for example, the Dred Scott case from 1857 is discussed in the 1957 book. Ties to international events such as apartheid in South Africa are also explored. A final section recaps the legacy of the year within civil rights history in general. Back matter includes time lines with thumbnail images and biographical features that introduce readers to individuals like John Lewis. VERDICT With a balance of local events and their relationship to national concerns, these books are an excellent resource for social studies classes.

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Susan Taylor
Susan Taylor has contributed to articles for the History Channel, Popular Science, Scholastic, National Geographic, and more. Her publications cover biographies, history, science, and educational books. She also works for the YMCA in Estes Park, Colorado, as program director. When she's not writing, she enjoys hiking and spending time with her two kids.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781338769746
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
C. Press/F. Watts Trade
Publication date
January 04, 2022
Series
Exploring Civil Rights
BISAC categories
JNF018010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | United States - African-American
JNF025210 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | United States/20th Century
Library of Congress categories
History
African Americans
Civil rights workers
United States
Civil rights movements
20th century
Civil rights

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