Andy Johnson and the March for Justice

by Esau McCaulley, Emmanuel Boateng (illustrator)

From the bestselling author of Reading While Black comes a sweet and inspiring picture book that weaves together history and faith to help families talk about how everyone—including children—can be a voice for justice.Andy Johnson loves fighting battles. Especially when he has his favorite sword, the Destroyer, by his side. So when Dad announces that the Johnson family is heading to the city to join a march, Andy’s ready to don his battle gear and be the best solider!Except this isn’t a march to war . . . it’s a march for justice.Join Andy and the rest of the Johnson kids as they learn how we can answer God’s call for justice and how marching is one way people can fight for a world that reflects God’s love and compassion—from the civil rights era up to today.Building on the first Johnson family book, Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit, and inspired by a conversation with his own children after taking them to a protest march, Esau McCaulley provides an accessible resource for parents and educators looking to engage kids on the topics of racism, discrimination, and social justice through a biblical and historical perspective.

Genres: Picture Books, Social Justice, Childrens, Family, Justice

40 pages, Hardcover

Published December 17, 2024

About the author

Esau McCaulley, PhD is an associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. He is the author of many works including Sharing in the Son’s Inheritance and the Children’s Book Josie Johnson Hair and the Holy Spirit. His book Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope won numerous awards, including Christianity Today’s book of the year. His latest project is a memoir entitled: How far to the Promise Land: One Family’s Story of Hope and Survival in the American South. He is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. His writings have also appeared in places such as The Atlantic, Washington Post, and Christianity Today. He is married to Mandy, a pediatrician and navy reservist. Together, they have four wonderful children

Reviews

[Krista Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a young boy who goes on his first march with his family and his church and learns something about the meaning of justice along the way.

Andy's mom and dad are Christians, so they choose to teach him about justice rooted in the tradition of the Black Church.

I found it powerful that though Andy loves to play fight with his siblings, and in particular has a wooden sword he likes to wield, he learns to set that down in order to use his words and his presence as a way of fighting for what is right and good.

Reading this harkened me back to the March graphic novels, which focus most on John Lewis and the Civil Rights marches. I read those for the first time last year, and they changed my life.

I see Andy Johnson and the March for Justice as a kid-friendly way to introduce the concept of justice, to teach some of that Civil Rights history, and to get them thinking about how we can all use our voices and bodies for the work of justice.

[Erica (The Literary Apothecary) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Esau McCaulley’s book brilliantly portrays the journey of Andy Johnson, a young African-American boy, from engaging in playful battles with his brother to understanding the significance of fighting for justice. The story effectively introduces complex topics like justice and responsible activism through a child-friendly narrative, making it accessible for young readers. Dr. McCaulley’s approach, rooted in a biblical perspective, highlights the power of words as tools for change, offering a valuable lesson in how to fight for justice without violence. The illustrations are vibrant and inclusive, reflecting a diverse range of ethnic backgrounds, which adds depth and relatability to the story. This book not only entertains but also educates, providing a meaningful resource for parents and educators to start conversations about social justice with children.

Highly recommended for parents and educators to discuss racism, discrimination, and the power of peaceful protest with young readers.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy to follow picture book, for young children who are curious what marches and protests are for. In very plain language, the parents of the children explain that sometimes things are right, and we have a need to protest so that the government and people in charge can see that things need to be fixed.


THe main character, Andy, loves to play Star Wars, and wants to be a defender of freedom, and fight for justice. He asks if he should take a sword with him to the protest and his parents explain about using words, not violence to protest, and show them how to make protests signs.


The protest is against injustice, but we don’t know what set it off, or what the actual offence was, which isjust as well, to make it timley, but not too timley.


Thanks to the publisher for making this book available for and honest review. This book is coming out December 14, 2024.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Convergent books for the e-arc. Andy Johnson and the March for Justice is a timely book that looks at the current racial climate through a child's eyes. The march for justice that the characters join isn't specified to take place in a certain city or during a certain time, though it is modern, and likely set in the last 4-8 years. The author makes the events less specific so that readers can relate to the events. The illustrator did a great job choosing to portray the family as biracial, with a white mother and Black father. The children recalled the civil rights march, which is portrayed in sepia tones to convey a historic time.

This is a useful book to teach about demonstrations and peaceful protests. I liked the overall message.

[Ann Mccarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book on many levels. The illustrations are well done, effectively using grey or black and white pages for the past and heavier topics versus colorful pages for the family and their story.

The kids are relatable and realistic, and the family's interactions are likewise. The story wends its way seamlessly from typical childhood tussles to ways to use words and actions to fight for positive change. I particularly liked the understanding expressed throughout that justice is a concern for everyone, and the picture of the kingdom of God presented as being one where we all stand together, in lines that stretch on forever, united in our quest for love and compassion.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good introduction for kids to learn about peaceful marches. It features a diverse, loving family that enjoys spending time together. However, the brothers play fight and while this can be normal behavior, Andy's brother knocks out Andy's front teeth during one of their battles. The unrealistic reactions of both the brothers and the parents bother me and the entire teeth scene should have been something less consequential for the non-reaction. The scene doesn't fit the book's focus on nonviolent marches for rights.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the message of this book. About being a warrior and defending your rights. I love how the children get involved. The illustrations go well and help bring the points of the story come across quite well. The only downfall for me is how everything goes back to God. And I understand with who this author is, so that that makes perfect sense. I do wish there was a version of this book or a book like this that got the same points across without it being for God. The main reason for that is it limits the audience. But the message in this book is too important to be limited.

[Alicia (PrettyBrownEyeReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This children's book addresses the topic of justice and what it looks like to fight for justice for all. The wording is child appropriate and the illustrations vibrantly depict a multicultural family. The book is set in modern times but has historical events depicted in black and white illustrations. This is a good book to teach kids about equality and fairness.

I was sent an advanced copy of this book from the publisher, Convergent Books.

[Mike Jorgensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a preview copy of this book from the publisher. It is a beautiful little book and I mean they literally. The art is gorgeous and the writing is great. It's an accessible book that offers a positive view of justice and how it harmonizes with biblical teaching. It offers a helpful definition without becoming overly didactic. My daughter is two and will enjoy reading this!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. I shows the desire to fight for something good in a child and a family pointing their children in a way to fight. Through protests and talking. Loved the art and the use of scripture as the reason they are fighting for justice

[Anne R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a privilege it was to get another chance to spend time with the Johnson Family and witness Christian faith and values being passed on to the next generation! The illustrations were particularly engaging!

[♛primadonna♛ · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick enjoyable read about the fight for justice for everyone, especially for black people. Age appropriate and a great explanation to kids that the fight for justice isn't history, but is still important and needed today.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an engaging look at social justice marches from a child's perspective. While I enjoyed the content overall, it did have some strong Christian overtones that may prevent it from appealing to a universal audience.

[Jessica Brusven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well done and easily understandable book on social justice and protest for kids. It has biblical references though they’re not so overt as to not be accessible to the masses. We can’t wait to enjoy this book again and again!

[James Weise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book with a great message for kids to learn and internalize.

[Vivian Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

In both words and images, this book is a visual encouragement that the fight for justice is a worthy endeavor for people of all ages!

[Jeanne Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for children about the issue of justice for all.

[Elizabeth Jorgensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and writing! What a treasure!

[Jodi]

This book gives a good idea of and definition of justice and clearly demonstrates that taking action in the name of justice (including marching and protesting) is a Christian thing to do.

[Anthony S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much religion. Not a fan.

[Kelly Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for teaching kids about injustices and how to protest them peacefully. We also LOVED the illustrations in the book.

[Rachel Benzine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend for all Christian picture book sections and Christian families.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Goodreads giveaway for this free cooy. I’ve read other books by Dr McCaulley and wanted to read this one to see how he would cover marching for justice at a child’s level. This is a clearly written book for children (though not quite as flowing as his prose for adults). It was a good one to read yesterday before my psalms reading this morning where I landed on Psalm 82 (titled in my Bible “A Plea for Righteous Judgment.”)

One quote by Andy’s father in the book summarized the why the book was written— “All of God’s people should care about justice, no matter their color.” Although I believe Dr McCulley is more naturally gifted as an author for adults, this book was well done and provides a platform for family discussion and better understanding.

Reading it as we come to Martin Luther King, Jr. day was timely. If you or your children have questions about why we honor Dr King—read Dr McCulley’s book to them.