Book Review of Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hoose, Phillip. CLAUDETTE COLVIN: TWICE TOWARD JUSTICE. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 9780374313227.

 

PLOT SUMMARY

Claudette Colvin grew up in Alabama in the 1940’s and 50’s. These were the Jim Crow years when racist white people in the southern United States prevented black people from being treated equally under federal law. From early in her life, Claudette questioned why blacks were treated differently from whites. Eventually, this question led her to be arrested for violating a racist law. Claudette ended up leading a life far from what she had hoped for, but one that never betrayed her internal fortitude and personal integrity.     

 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

More than anything, this is a book about how somebody with no power and no connections can play a pivotal role in history. This is a biography that show a very real person and how a simple act changes her future and affects the future of a nation. Many people are familiar with Rosa Parks and her relationship with the Civil Rights Movement. Most people, however, are not aware that Rosa Parks was not the first to refuse to give up her bus seat. Prior to that historic event, another kind of history was made when Claudette Colvin refused to give up her own bus seat. Author Phillip Hoose tells the story of this civil rights pioneer who ended up not becoming famous, but instead suffered for her heroic defiance. This is the story of how even just one teenager can be a positive force for change in the world. Author Phillip Hoose’s storytelling ability and supportive features (author’s note; bibliography; index; picture credits; acknowledgements; and notes) make this a great addition to studies of the civil rights movement in the U.S.    

 

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS

2009 National Book Award Winner for Young People’s Literature

2010 Newbery Honor Book

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “Hoose's evenhanded account investigates Colvin's motives and influences, and carefully establishes the historical context so that readers can appreciate both Colvin's maturity and bravery and the boycott leadership's pragmatism.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “While virtually all students know Rosa Parks’ 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...”

BOOKLIST starred review: “… this inspiring title shows the incredible difference that a single young person can make..."

CONNECTIONS

* This book could be part of any discussion on youth activism, empowerment, and the civil rights movement.

* Other books related to this one:

Cline-Ransome, Lesa. SHE PERSISTED: CLAUDETTE COLVIN. ISBN 9780593115848.

Parks, Rosa. ROSA PARKS: MY STORY. ISBN 9780141301204.

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