The Story of Civil Rights Hero John Lewis

by Kathleen Benson, Jim Haskins, Aaron Boyd (Illustrator)

This new entry in the innovative "Story" line of chapter-book biographies focuses on John Lewis, a leader in the civil rights movement of the 1960s and a revered Congressman today. The son of an Alabama sharecropper, John Lewis experienced the injustice of segregation early in life. Inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Lewis joined with civil rights leaders who believed in fighting segregation peacefully, In the face of physical attacks, he persevered with dignity and a devotion to nonviolence, standing in the forefront of major civil rights protests and helping southern black people gain the right to vote. In 1986 Lewis was elected to represent Georgia in the United States Congress, where he continues to serve today. Lewis's passionate belief in justice is a beacon for all who wish to make our country a better place. The Story of Civil Rights Hero John Lewis celebrates the life of a living legend of American history. This chapter book includes black-and-white illustrations as well as sidebars on related subjects, a timeline, a glossary, and recommended reading.

Genres: Biography, Middle Grade, History, Nonfiction, Childrens

64 pages, Paperback

Published January 8, 2019

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like in school curriculums, John Lewis gets overlooked a lot because of the focus on MLK. I didn't know much about him until adulthood, and I'm happy to see he's getting more attention recently. His story is pretty remarkable.

[Laketa Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story of Civil Rights Hero John Lewis, James Haskins
This collective and complete biography of John Lewis, The Story of Civil Rights Hero John Lewis is a great book. Allowing students to see John Lewis grow from a little boy to a successful civil rights hero, learning never to give up. This book portrayed John Lewis as a real-life character using real photos as well as drawings. Using black and white illustrations allowed students to focus on the factual information provided. The representational art portrays John lewis and the world with attention to detail.The text express the emotional and narrative content of the pictures. This well written book was intended for fourth and fifth-grade readers.Also, including the timeline helped students keep track of important dates from birth to death( 1940-2020). Jim Haskins wrote this biography. The glossary helps students identify key terms and important dates about John Lewis. I would have scholars make a timeline of their school accomplishment and experiences including details labels. For older scholars they would write a biography about a hero famous or family or adult in their lives. Including other people and facts to the biography allowed students to see facts and information for different viewpoints. Having a biography that is creative nonfiction to use a story telling format. This book about John Lewis tells us about the subjects and the subject's characters. This author allow students to understand about John Lewis and many others struggle to help others and the process while being entertaining.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offers the inspiring story of civil rights leader John Lewis to a young audience. Covering his formative years in the rural, segregated South, it follows him as he moved from preaching to the chickens on his family's farm to becoming involved in the civil rights movement as he rode a bus as part of the Freedom Riders, spoke at the March on Washington in 1963, and marched across the bridge from Selma to Montgomery, all pivotal moments in the movement. Later, he was elected as U.S. Congressman from his Georgia district, a position he has held since 1986. As the text and photographs show, Lewis continues to remain committed to civil rights and social justice causes, even marching in the 2018 March for Our Lives. The book contains various sidebars on sharecropping, Gandhi, the influence of black churches on the civil rights movements, and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Anyone who thinks one person cannot make a difference in the world needs to read this book, noting Lewis's humble beginnings and how he fought peacefully for change.

[Mrs. Melaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In easily understood prose, the authors provide an overview of the civil rights movement and John Lewis’ part in it. Despite its brevity (64 p.), a lot is included, starting with Lewis’ early life on a farm, his role in the turbulent events of the 1960’s and his current role as a respected senior member of Congress. Sidebars explain terms young readers might not understand, such as, sharecropping, Gandhi, and SNCC. Black and white drawings illustrate scenes from the book. There is even an excerpt from Lewis’ speech during the March on Washington. Handy back matter includes a timeline, glossary, source lists for the text and sidebars, and recommendations for further reading. Note: If you already have John Lewis in the Lead c2006 by the same authors, the narrative text is the same in this book, except that this version includes a number of changes, such as different illustrations, added sidebars, and an additional chapter about John Lewis’ role in Congress.

[Dava Fletter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading more about John Lewis. I felt a lot of interesting things could have been added-childhood younger life was very brief, but interesting. The illustrations are beautiful and enhance the book. There are also photographs. It is a great bridge for an adult to decide to read a more in depth book about John Lewis, because now I realize that he was much more to our country than I knew. I have been aware of Lewis as a congressman. I didn’t know the background! Again, beautiful illustrations by Aaron Boyd.

[Cindy DavisClark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book before giving as a gift. It is a book for youth about the life of John Lewis. It is illustrated by Milwaukee artist Aaron Boyd.

[Robyn Schultz (ladyrobyns) · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a quick overview of John Lewis's life, this is that book. Great book for readers that need a synopsis of John Lewis.

[Todd]

Great illustrations!