Back of the Bus, written by Aaron Reynolds, is a fantastic read! The story is about a young boy and his mother riding home on the same bus that Rosa Parks was on. He was playing with his marble when it fell on the ground and rolled directly to were Rosa Parks was sitting, in the front of the bus. He knew that she was not allowed to sit in the front but he had no idea what was about the life changing event that was about to take place. I can use this book in my classroom when teaching about Rosa Parks and how she contributed to the Civil Rights Movement because it gives the students a child's perspective on what happened to Rosa Parks. 

 

5 stars

 

Lexile AD590L

AR: 2.9

Grade Level: 3rd-6th

Summary: Boycott Blues is a book all about how people, during the civil rights movement, dealt with segregation. The story is told from a "dog-tired hound", which makes the book even more interesting! 

Idea: I absolutely fell in love with this book the first time I read it! The fact that it's told from a dog, who's singing the "boycott blues" is amazing! I also love the fact that the author personifies segregation, as a menacing bird. This is an amazing book to intertwine social studies with, and to teach figurative language!

 

This was a very interesting book. It kept my attention with the details and the vocabulary was very appropriate for students. It is a great source for the story about Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Movement. This book paints a picture of how Rosa's Park's day went from a normal December afternoon, to a monumental day! It tells more than a history book as it dives into Rosa's thoughts and how her close friends reacted to her arrest. This would be a great source for a unit on the Civil Rights Movement. I would read this book in a 4th or 5th grade classroom. 

I chose Rosa Parks because Charlea looks to her as a great historical figure (as do I) and she reads about her all the time. I would allow the students to choose an important historical figure of their liking and then read the biography and we can make an activity, such as dressing up like your historical figure and telling the class about their important role in history. All-in-all, we are able to incorporate history into our reading and learn something about each students' person's role in history, all the while making it fun by dressing up and telling our stories! I have attached a picture of my Charlea dressed up as Rosa! Target age range would be 4th grade!

3.5 Stars

Oh I do love a novel set in the deep south and Miss Hazel and the Rosie Parks league didn't disappoint as its a story that shows how how the power and determination of one woman can inspire and transform the lives of a town.
Set in the Delta town of Delphi, Mississippi two different but truly memorable women one white and one black form an unlikely frindship and give us an insight into the roots of the civil rights movement in the south.

The characters in this novel are beautifully drawn and the reader forms an immediate bond with Hazel and Vida. The writing is vivid and I found myself drawn in by the rich dialogue and the wonderful sense of time and place