A Tugging String: A Novel About Growing Up During the Civil Rights Era

by David Greenberg

Duvy Greenberg is an ordinary twelve-year-old trying to fit in. He knows that his father, Jack, is a civil rights lawyer, but Duvy lives worlds away from Dorothy Milton, a black woman struggling to become a registered voter in Selma, Alabama. When Dorothy reaches out to Martin Luther King Jr. for help, she sets in motion a series of events that—with Jack Greenberg’s help—will open Duvy’s eyes to the reality of racial inequality and forever change the course of history. Blending facts, speeches, memories, and conjecture, this novel portrays the emotions and events surrounding the Selma-Montgomery Voting Rights March.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, School

167 pages, Hardcover

First published October 16, 2008

Reviews

[Akari T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since the author grew up the Civil Rights Era and experienced it first-hand, I would have liked more detail and history. Although in the author's note he said that he would leave historical information to other non-fiction writers, I felt that there was just too much missing from the story.

[Jenn Hopp · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There is no Southern problem. There is no Northern problem. There is only an American problem."

Recommended by one of our librarians, I enjoyed revisiting the tumultuous 1960s in America - Vietnam, civil rights, and more. This HF text is a solid MS read, packed to the brim with facts, people, and key events from the time period. I enjoyed the alternating chapters between Duvy's life at home and various civil rights happenings. I also enjoyed reading chunks of Lyndon B Johnson's speech on voting rights and Martin Luther King Jr.'s address to the Selma to Montgomery marchers - such powerful and eloquent thoughts from each man. I think students will read this book and be eager to learn more about the time period.

[Anne Catella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tugging string by David Greenberg is a great book if you wanted to know how it was during the civil rights era. It also has a great description of how blacks lived during this time and what they went threw. If it was for David Greenberg a white man some things would have never been done.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A recent gift from my future mother & father-in-law was a signed copy of A Tugging String by David T. Greenberg, son of Jack Greenberg (former director of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund). A Tugging String is a nonfiction novel set during the Civil Right Movement, specifically during the 1960s and the years leading up to the Selma-Montgomery Voting Rights March of 1965.

What a great resource this book would be in a classroom (late elementary into middle school) where the Civil Rights Movement was being studied! Author David T. Greenberg's very accessible and autobiographical account of his childhood as the son of a leading attorney for prominent Civil Rights' leaders gives readers a riveting front row seat to history being made. A Tugging String contains facts. But A Tugging String also contains the raw storytelling that comes from someone who stood as witness to the events of that volatile time.

Having a deep and abiding interest in the Civil Rights Movement, I found Greenberg's novel an important read, especially considering the recent Supreme Court case of Shelby County vs. Holder and the ruling where "the coverage formula in Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), which was used to determine the states and political subdivisions subject to Section 5 preclearance, was unconstitutional."

We have a lot to think about as a nation right now. Discrimination comes in many guises. We have to be vigilant and, as Greenburg says in Tugging, we have to "do what's right."

Near the end of the novel, David's father shares with him the poem If by Rudyard Kipling. Outside of rope skipping rhymes and Roberta Flack song lyrics, this particular poem is the first poem that I ever memorized as a youngster. Sadly, I can no longer recite it on command. But it is a beautiful poem, full of meaning.


If by Rudyard Kipling


(‘Brother Square-Toes’—Rewards and Fairies)
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

[Kea-Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really helps you realize WHY and HOW the Civil Rights Era played out. Not only did the author help us realize this, but also help us think about good vs evil, racism, and how different life was back then.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greenberg alternates between telling the story of being the son of a leading Civil Rights lawyer and a fictionalized retelling of some of the major Civil Rights events of 1964-65. I found it fascinating that his father really did defend most of the key players in the Civil Rights movement, and even was one of the lawyers who argued for Brown v. Board of Education. Greenberg carefully spells out which aspects of his story are true, and which he fictionalized for dramatic purposes. I really appreciated that, because few authors are that thorough. I would really like to read his father's book, Crusaders in the Courts, but I see that it's over 600 pages, so it will probably be a while before I get to something that heavy!

I really liked Greenberg's inclusion of actual speeches and court cases. I was unfamiliar myself with these powerful words, and think it's great that children who read the novel will be introduced to them. The excerpt of LBJ's speech as he introduced the Voting Rights Act was particularly moving and powerful. Somehow I'd never read or heard it before, and it's very inspiring. Did he write it, or did someone write it for him? Either way, I have a lot of respect for the bravery it took to speak out so strongly in favor of Civil Rights in such a turbulent and violent time.

Of course the real hero of the book is Greenberg's father, who was unrelenting in his quest for justice and still managed to be a great dad to his sons. I enjoyed many of the anecdotes of Duvy's childhood, especially when he tries to treat his curly hair with eggs and beer. In the middle of all the intense drama, it made me laugh out loud. However, one story involving his little brother peeing in the car really seemed unnecessary to me and I couldn't really see how it was important to the larger story being told.

For parents: It should also be noted that there are a few instances of harsh language, and the racist characters in the book use the N word and other racial slurs.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tugging String- A Novel about Growing Up During the Civil Rights Era by David T. Greenberg – Historical Fiction, 6th grade and up – What a powerful novel and reflection on the impact a man has on the lifes of so many when taking risks with this life to do what is right. Made me so grateful to brave lawyers. Made me appreciate seeing the experience through the eyes of that lawyer’s young son. What an interesting premise. If I were sharing this book with students right now I’d promote it with just a few words: voting rights, bombs, death threats, Martin Luther King, Jr. Since I’m living right now through a pretty interesting voting rights movement in Hong Kong with Occupy Central, this book made me appreciate even more so how challenging, risk taking, and inspiring this book, A Tugging String, can be. I was concerned at first at whether this book would be appropriate to share with my students here in Hong Kong, but how could I not? It points out the development of civil liberties and shows students how hard it was for the United States to sort out rights of the people. Fantastic book, wonderful author, so glad I finally had time to pick it up!

[Brandon O'Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author David Greenberg is visiting our school, so I thought it would be both proper and appropriate to have read something of his before he came. His latest offering and 1st novel is A Tugging String: A Novel About Growing Up During the Civil Rights Era. Maybe my review should be taken with a grain of salt since I've been email with David and have somewhat of a relationship with him, but I was blown away by this book. He is like a male Scout of To Kill a Mockingbird.
His father, Jack Greenberg, was a civil rights attorney in the 1960's, working with such giants in history as Thurgood Marshall and Martin Luther King Jr. The book is a fictionalized account of David growing up during this time and trying to make sense out of black/white relationships, hate (KKK and the Vietnam War), and concern for his father. Footnotes and afterwards by David and his father separate fact from fiction and make for a great, accessible read for children learning about the civil rights movement or whoever can enjoy this fictionalized coming of age tale.

[Sam Herbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, but sweet, novel about a young man growing up in the Civil Rights era. But not just any young man, a young man whose father is a white Legal Defence Fund lawyer for the NAACP. He carefully interweaves fiction with fact, but clearly states which is which throughout the novel. The story centres on Martin Luther King Jr and his followers' peaceful protest march from Selma to Montgomery, after black people were facing discrimination when registering to vote. He created characters especially for the novel, which add a plot and a conclusion to the story. There's a lot of nitty gritty about the nonsensical violence the protestors faced from the authorities and some of it is quite graphic, but it is vital information that mustn't be forgotten. I would have liked to have had more - the book is quite short and easy to read, but it was interesting to hear about the civil rights era from a boy who was literally in the middle of it all.

[Rayda · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is about growing up during the Civil Rights Era. I didn't like it because it thoroughly mixed up fiction with reality, and reordered some things from history to fit the book, and combined some real people into one character. I didnt' like not knowing what was fact and what was fiction. Plus, it used vocabulary which in this day and time has become verbotten, though it may have been frequently used in the 1960s, and it jarred me every time I read it. Only one or two of my fifth grade students has read it. One was warned in advance about its vocabulary, and he stated that he thought he could handle it. When I asked him after he finished what he thought about the book, he just shrugged his shoulders and said it was alright. I don't recommend it.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate this one 3 1/2 stars. The story told by Duvy is based on his real childhood experience the civil rights in the 1960s. He shows the reader the plight of black people from all walks of life. Primary sources are intertwined throughout the story and there are plenty of footnotes to help the reader better understand the setting and history. However, the dialogue and planning of some of the historic figures like MLK jr., seem oversimplified. The author explains this in one of his footnotes. Some interesting fictional, though based on fact, details - one woman's experience in trying to register to vote, helps the reader connect to something that took place over 40 years ago.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

The civil rights is a complex piece of history and generally students learn pieces. This book combines many of the events and names we know of the civil rights movement and identifies the connection between them. Greenberg readily admits to condensing history and rearranging events. He generously includes footnotes.

I would think that this book would help students better understand the Civil Right Era.

Individuals & events addressed: Thurgood Marshall; Rosa Parks; of course: Martin Luther King Jr.; Governor George Wallace; Lyndon Johnson; the Vietnam War; Civil Rights Act of 1964; Ku Klux Klan


Minor address: Malcolm X; Muhammad Ali; Jackie Robinson

[Mrs. Hassig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've done a very good job this summer picking out great books to read! I would love to meet David Greenberg. I have several of his non-fiction books in my library, but this historical fiction selection is really wonderful. I will share some of his experiences when I booktalk this genre next month. Can you imagine answering your phone and realizing it is Martin Luther King, Jr.???!! I knew the Bridge in Selma was bad, but I had no idea how bad. I'm embarrassed for the South and some of their citizens during the 60s. And I'm proud of the class and courage of so many blacks and whites who walked with Martin to Montgomery! I'd have walked!!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Greenberg writes a fictional account of his father, Jack, and his work as a Civil Rights lawyer, focusing especially on the Selma march. I found the footnotes confusing. Even at the bottom of the page, they were distracting and, of course, factual. At the end, he gives an overview of which parts are fictional and which are real, so the footnotes were unnecessary. His father also writes an afterword and gives his viewpoint on some of the events. The pictures in the middle are interesting, but should have included a picture of his mother and brothers, who also are a big part of the story. I found the actual words of LBJ and King the most compelling parts of the book.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this historical fiction since the author is coming to our district in April. We've promised our 5-6th graders a field trip to Brown v. Board if they read it before he comes. It was a novel based on the author's and his family's experience while his dad was a lawyer for Martin Luther King during the civil rights march to Montgomery. It was interesting, but definitely more of a history lesson than an enjoyable read. It did give me some insight into the author, though,so I'm glad I read it.

[Salsabrarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author recollects growing up in a Jewish family with a father who was a key civil rights lawyer, involved with historic cases such as Brown v. Education and working with no less than Thurgood Marshall. The cover describes the book as a novel but the sometimes newscast-like prose and footnotes makes it feel more like a textbook at times. Non-fiction or novel, non-fiction or novel? The shifting of perspective from Duvy to Dorothy to Martin Luther King to others and back again gave the book a somewhat disjointed feel. The promise of this package didn't quite live up to my expectations.

[Leah Koch]

This historical fiction story set in the civil rights era provides a unique perspective. Told from the point of view of a lawyer's twelve year old son, Duvy, the book tells the tale of a woman named Dorothy trying to become a registered voter in Selma, Alabama. Through his dad, Duvy encounters real characters like Martin Luther King Jr. and real events like the Selma-Montgomery march, making the book a perfect companion to a civil rights social studies lesson.

[Namika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duvy is a normal twelve-year-old trying to fit into to his home, but a huge obstacle blocks the way. A black woman is struggling to become a registered voter, and his dad is a lawyer. Throughout this journey of getting justice and equality, Duvy opens his eyes to a whole new world and comes to the realization of racial discrimination. A powerful novel that'll comes from a perspective of people fighting for what they believe is right.

[Debra Landay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book which uses part fiction and part fact to tell the story of civil rights from the perspective of a middle class white boy, who learns about the KKK and Jim Crow laws. It is an easy read, and easily works in some of the basics of the history of inequality even though slavery ended 100 years before the book takes place.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because the author visited my school. He was an energetic, passionate speaker, and he has an important message to convey. His dad worked alongside Thurgood Marshall and Martin Luther King Jr., so he has a unique perspective to his storytelling. Interesting look at an important historical time.

[Reynold Forman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the most important book middle school students should read if we truly want to promote cross-curricular literature. I learned more American history from this book than I did from all of my history texts. It's so well written with passion, heart and excitement. I'm glad I put this in our curriculum.

[Paula Soper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book, and I finished it today in honor of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.

Actually, this book centers around the March from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.

I really think that this book should be taught in schools. I highly recommend it to my teacher friends.

[Hannah]

This book fuses nonfiction and fiction. It tells the story of fictional characters who interact with real figures from history, such as MLK Jr. It also a novel, making it yet another type of text in the set.

[Francine]

Went with Dalton to see the author. He actually writes kids book, perfect read with next weeks inaguration upon us

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great engaging book that I could NOT put down!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bookworms

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Tugging String: A Novel About Growing Up During the Civil Rights Era, is an interesting mix of fiction and history revolving around the Civil Right Movement. PK

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A very accessible account of the civil rights movement for middle-grade readers--with lengthy quotes from important speeches and court decisions of the day.

[Chris Hays · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspectives during troubled times. I wish the flow through different perspectives did not feel so jarring.

[Amber Brenneman · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Greenberg visited our school and shared some of his stories. He was an interesting speaker and his book is a good read!