Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Review: Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
Phillip Hoose
2009; Farrar Straus Giroux; ISBN 978-0-374-31322-7 (hardover)

Summary: Rosa Parks wasn't the first African-American to resist the bus segregation in Montgomery, Alabama. In fact, before Rosa there was Claudette: a smart teenager, a junior in high school who didn't feel ashamed of her race. She chose not to give up her seat to a white woman. And even after she was arrested and called names, pointed out and shunned, Claudette was determined to see segregation end. She was so determined that she'd try again to stand up for all African-Americans, by testifying in court against segregation.

Highlighting a little-known figure in the struggle for civil rights, Phillip Hoose's book draws upon interviews with Claudette Colvin to bring her story to life. In clear prose, readers learn about the background of Claudette and about the segregated buses, the events of March 2, 1955 and everything that followed from Claudette's defiance. Peppered with photos, newspapers and memorabilia, all the risks of opposing segregation are vividly portrayed, along with the courage it took to face those risks. A compelling read for students who might think they know it all about this period of history.

1 comment:

Curious City said...

Hello Melissa,

Thought you mike be interested (oh, you lover of the Internet) in this YouTube I just completed pulling together audio and photographs of Phil Hoose and Claudette Colvin's recent appearances together. She still has that undeniable spark that drove her to say NO to Jim Crow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZOpqtdd8nw