Child of the Civil Rights Movement

by Paula Young Shelton

In this Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year, Paula Young Shelton, daughter of Civil Rights activist Andrew Young, brings a child’s unique perspective to an important chapter in America’s history. Paula grew up in the deep south, in a world where whites had and blacks did not. With an activist father and a community of leaders surrounding her, including Uncle Martin (Martin Luther King), Paula watched and listened to the struggles, eventually joining with her family—and thousands of others—in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery.

Poignant, moving, and hopeful, this is an intimate look at the birth of the Civil Rights Movement.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Biography, Social Justice, African American

48 pages, Hardcover

First published December 22, 2009

Reviews

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about being in the right place at the right time! The author draws on her own experiences as a child during the Civil Rights movement. The people her parents hung around with (and her parents themselves) were individuals who felt the need to move TO the South, during the worst of the Jim Crow era. They fought tirelessly for Civil Rights while their children learned at a very young age, what it means to stand up for what's right. Well told, I loved the poetic layout. The pictures were perfect, and created a story that was engaging and interesting. And teaches so gently about such a difficult topic. Well done all the way around.

[Chinook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good MLK Jr Day read, though Kait’s a few years too young to fully engage with it. I love the child’s perspective on the movement and the illustrations are very good. I look forward to rereading this in years to come.

[Mr. Cody · Rating 2 out of 5]

That sure is one genius, self-aware, and politically active 4 year old.

[Sarah Schill]

Genre: Historical
This is a great book for discussing the civil rights movement and segregation.

[Leon Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

SS5H8 The student will describe the importance of key people, events, and developments between 1950-1975.
b. Explain the key events and people of the Civil Rights movement; include Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act, and civil rights activities of Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

A good book that talks about civil rights movement, Jim Crow and Selma, Al.

This book could definitely be used to help students define Equality. Students could discuss protest,and sit-in with incident depicted. This book helps children understand the hurtful effects of segregation. Explains how the movement united its leaders and how they were brought together by a common goal. This would be a great end of unit text to use to ask continuing questions for the students to answer in essay form: The book ends at 1965 with the Voters registration act. Allowing African Americans to vote, was it the end of the Civil Rights movement. Explain and supports answers for why and why not. Students can role play protest and sit ins the African Americans protested against.

[Nicole Doescher-Train · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book because I thought it would give good information about the Civil Rights movement. I think its important that students start to learn about our nations past. The book lays out some good baseline information about the Civil Right movement, and more specifically Selma. A student will be able to take the information from the book and have a good background of some of the things that happened in the 1965. The pictures help to further what it is that the author is telling through the story. He depicts the young girls feelings, the men who the story talks about, and uses the clouds to depict black crows in the sky. I would recommend this book for older elementary students so they can learn some basic knowledge of Selma.

[Kristin Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! The author grew up in Atlanta during the Civil Rights era. Her family moved TO the South in the early 60's to help with the Civil Rights Movement and her father, Andrew Young, was an early leader in the movement. She uses the memories of her father and older sisters to help tell the story of her childhood. And she tells it so well. The text is lyrical, conveying facts and emotion. "We went to Georgia, where whites could, but blacks could not." "We were close because our fathers worked together. Close because our mothers worried together."

The illustrations bring the story to life. These were real people. The endnotes contain a short biographical section about some of them.

[Tamika McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good autobiography. It was about a young girl's family moving from the north back to the south to participate in the civil rights movement. I like how she emphasized the importance of community and having a loving/caring environment. She participated in one of the marches as a young girl. She was proud to be a part of making history. This book provides amazing pictures to keep readers interest. Never too young to change the world for the better.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, poetic book.

[Soad Altaai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because it puts the spotlight on the celebrities at the cost of the people who gave the Movement its fuel. Additionally, it includes children in the narrative and gives the leaders a sense of compassion and community.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child of the Civil Rights Movement is a short collection of free verse poems which broaches complex topics in a simple and relatable way for young readers as the author shares her memories of “the family of the civil rights movement.” Poems address her family’s move to the South, their participation in a restaurant sit-in, and the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. She details dinners at her own home which were spent planning the march to Selma with her Uncle, Martin Luther King Jr., and other civil rights leaders. The Selma-to-Montgomery March and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 are climactic moments in the book which then concludes with a symbolic passing of the torch from the family of the Civil Rights Movement to herself and the children of the Civil Rights Movement. On the final page of the book, there are brief biographies of the historical figures mentioned as well as other resources for curious readers.
Paula Shelton’s writing makes the complexities of the Civil Rights Era approachable for younger audiences, explaining Jim Crow laws, segregation, and the treatment of non-violent protesters in a straightforward manner that makes no attempts to temper the injustices experienced by African Americans and other people of color during this time. The poems effectively convey the speaker’s childlike perspective and imagination while discussing topics that may be considered exclusively for adults. Raul Colon’s pastel illustrations echo the perspective of the speaker with warm colors and textures that convey the mood of each poem. For instance, adjacent to a poem that talks about Paula’s father being jailed is an illustration that conveys the utmost solemnity with brown tones and a nearly starless dark night sky which peeks through cell bars. His illustrations also visualize the figurative language in Shelton’s poetry. One especially beautiful example is the depiction of the Civil Rights leaders as an orchestra which “must come together like a symphony,/ as one.”
While it should not be considered a comprehensive account of the Civil Rights Movement, Child of the Civil Rights Movement can be considered a wonderful jumping-off point for discussions not only about the inequality of the past but also the inequalities still experienced by people of color in the present. Shelton’s concluding poem has a resounding message, asking future generations to continue the march in their own communities. Overall, this picture book offers a delightful reading experience that is purposeful as well as enjoyable.

[Linleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Paula Young Shelton tells the story of the Civil Rights Movement from the place of a young child. The author, having actually taken part in the movement, bases this picture book off of the true story that took place in her own life. Paula Young includes certain terms and definitions to educate her readers as she tells the story. She discusses Jim Crow Laws, the march on Selma, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Child of the Civil Rights Movement portrays this difficult time in American History in a way that young readers can understand. What's better is that the author herself is the daughter of one of the leaders and close family friend to Martin Luther King Jr., a familiar historical figure to many young students.

One of the major themes in this book, aside from equality, is family. Not only does the book portray family because the author is the daughter of a major leader, but it portrays it in a non-biological sense as well. The author continuously creates a sense of unity throughout the text as she mentions that they are children of the Civil Rights Movement or a family of the Civil Rights Movement. She successfully portrays the sense of unity African Americans felt during this time through her use of words and images throughout the book.

I loved this book because until you actually begin reading, you have no idea how significant the author really is. I had never read a piece of children's literature on a historical topic written by someone who had actually been alive during the event, and I found this very exciting. The historical aspect of the book is further emphasized at the end as the author discusses the Voting Rights Act and includes a synopsis of each of her Uncles, Aunts, and other close friends who were leaders of the movement.

I would recommend this book for the second through fourth grade, especially as they begin to focus more on American History. This book offers a first-hand experience on the Civil Rights Movement from the perspective of a child which is rare to find and can be so influential to young readers. I think this book successfully portrays a period in American History in a kid-friendly, yet educational way, as the author includes real definitions, dates, and people.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fortunately for today's students of history, books written from the book of view adults involved in the civil rights movement abound. However, there are few that provide a child's eye perspective on those important events. This picture book, written by one of the daughters of activist Andrew Young, helps fill that gap and does so in a moving way. In simple but effective language in the various vignettes she shares, she describes how the family moved to the South because her parents felt compelled to be a part of changing the world around them. Once they relocated, they experience various challenges as they encountered Jim Crow laws. Even dining in a restaurant was not allowed because of the color of their skin. Many of the moments she shares are ones with which the book's intended audience will be able to relate. She even manages to make the great historical figures from that time period come to life in relatable fashion, reminding readers that these men and women became like her family. When the adults line up to walk from Selma to Montgomery, Paula is among them, taking her own small steps toward civil rights and righting the wrongs in how things are done. The book ends with her pay-off as LBJ signs the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law. Ideal for sharing with youngsters as an introduction to those times and those changes, the book features stunning artwork created with a yellow wash on watercolor paper, and then drawn in pencil and then adding more washes with sepias and browns. This artistic choice lends the book's images a sentimental, photo album effect that makes readers feel as though they are peeking into someone's private scrapbook and memories. The book will surely prompt much reflection and discussion about segregation and how standing up for what's right may make a difference.

[Kourtnie Bussey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This narrative is about a little girl named Paula that was born in New York. Her parents are from the deep south, and grew up following Jim Crow laws. One day, as the family was watching t.v, a story appeared on the news. The story was about the Freedom Riders. The Freedom Riders consisted of black and white people that rode the bus together, while protesting Jim Crow laws. Paula's parents wanted to do something immediately to help. They packed their bags and moved to Georgia instantly. While living in Georgia, Paula and her family are denied access into such facilities such as the diner just because of the color of their skin. Paula did not understand why, so she would cry every time somebody denied them access. Paula would soon be surrounded by her Uncle Martin Luther King Jr., as well as many other friends of the family that would argue about Crow laws and the denying of the right to vote in Selma, Alabama. Paula talks about the march to Montgomery, and how so many people were there. Later in the book, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is passed. The book does a good job of looking at things from the African American culture.

Paula Young Shelton, the author, does a great job retelling the story. I can tell that Paula Young Shelton was a wonderful child of the Civil Rights Movement. She relates to the culture of this book, because this is a story of the events that happened in her life. While reading the book, I felt as if I was marching along right with them. The illustrator, Raul Colón, does a wonderful job with his descriptive pictures. As a future teacher, I will proudly read this book to my students because it is very informative about Jim Crow laws, which is an important aspect of the Civil Rights Movement.

[Rummanah (Books in the Spotlight) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shelton provides younger readers a picture book that entails the complexity of the Civil Rights Movement in a straight forward picture book written in a simple, clear way without dumbing it down. When the author was a child, her father, Andrew Young, was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. Her first picture book beautifully recounts her childhood during those tumultuous times. Shelton explains her very first protest when she cried during a sit-in with her family as restaurant owners refused to seat them, which clearly demonstrates and sets the tone of the harmful effects of segregation. Shelton also recalls how the movement united its leaders and activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. became a part of her family that all strongly believed in the common goal of equality and justice. Despite the hardship faced by the activists during the Civil Rights Movement, the picture book retains its positive tone. The illustrator's choice of vibrant watercolors further emphasizes on the optimistic viewpoint. The picture book does a great job in bringing history to life. I also appreciated the author's note in which she explains that she doesn't remember all the details of various conversations but drew on her family's shared memories. Also included at the back of the book is information about the leaders who are mentioned in the picture book.

[Michael Enright · Rating 4 out of 5]

The picture book, Child of the Civil Rights Movement gives readers a child's view of what it was like living in the south during segregation and the civil rights movement. The main character's name is Paula and her family is full of civil rights activists, including her uncle Martin Luther King Jr. The story also includes her participation in the march from Selma to Montgomery and the things she experienced along the way.

Child of the Civil Rights Movement is an excellent text that can be used to educate students about what it would be like to grow up and participate in the civil rights movement. The perspective that students could gain through the main character's participation in the march from Selma to Montgomery can be useful in educating them on the courage one needed to be an activist for civil rights while living in the south during segregation.

One text that I would pair with Child of the Civil Rights Movement would be The Story of Ruby Bridges. This is because both texts can be used to educate students on the challenges that African American children went through in the south during segregation.

Child of the Civil Rights movement is an excellent text to use while educating student on the social injustice of segregation. I would use this text to introduce many of the key vocabulary terms needed to educate students on the time period.

[RLL22016_Joy Bailey Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I've read tons of books about the civil rights movement but each time is different based on whose point of view the story is told from. In this story, the author resells what is was like for her and her sisters when they were younger during those times. Paula, the author, describes living in Mew York with her family but after watching certain events as the freedom riders on television, her parents made it their mission to drive back home and help fought the cause. I love how when Paula mentioned she heard of the Jim Crow laws she misinterpreted as a black crow who squawked at black people whenever they tried to get a seat. I believe many children misinterpret many things in life they don't know anything about. Paula also goes on to explain being around her aunts and uncles, discussing the events and happenings of the civil right movements. She also tells about the March from Selma to Montgomery and how her sisters and herself we're apart of it. Later, Paula ends the story saying after her parents were to old to vary on the fight her and her sisters carry the torch. I think it's awesome being apart of history no matter how small or big of role you played but that you help to make significant great changes.

[Ashley Vance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book was very informing. A young girl tells her story about how she grew up during the Civil Rights Movement. She remembers hearing her parents have conversations with Martin Luther King, Jr. She moved from New York to Georgia. She learned all about Jim Crow Laws and described her experience of being turned away from restaurants. It was so sad because I know that so many peope have gone through what this girl had to go through and it wasn't any of their faults. It frustrates me that she was treated that way, but being optimistic, that has made her who she is today.

I would recommend this book to third graders because I don't think children younger than that would understand most of the concepts discussed in this book and not much older because it is a picture book.

This book could be implemented in a history lesson. For example, when teaching about the Civil Rights Movement.

[Pattie Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Paula Young Shelton & Raul Colon

Short Description of the Book: In this book, the Civil Rights movement and Jim Crow laws are seen through the eyes of a little girl whose uncle just happens to be Martin Luther King, Jr.

Focus: I would use this book to teach how to produce informative writing that expresses main ideas clearly.

Teach: W8.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
1. Orient the reader by establishing a clear summary of the book.
2. In groups, students identify three main ideas presented in the story.
3. Individually, students choose one of the main ideas and write a two sentence summary to teach or inform others about happenings during this time period in history.

Expected Outcome: Students will be able to read and write informational text to express main ideas clearly.

[Stephanie Waterhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful book and much needed at this time of crisis regarding race in America. It is well written! Very glad to see history of the civil rights movement through the eyes of a child. This perspective is much needed. It doesn't bog one down with a bunch of historical facts, like a history book, but it is detailed and outlined so anyone, especially little children, can comprehend the events.

With the protests today, in America, because of civil rights, this book can assist with discussion on racial relationships and how to work to obtain equality for ALL Americans! I'm 59 years old and I found this book very enlightening.

Highly recommend this book and will be using it with my own grandchildren.

Much, much, needed at this time. The illustrations went very well with the book. Especially loved the biographies, at the end of the book, of some key people who were instrumental in the civil rights movement. The baton needs to be passed, now, to the younger people.

[Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perspective of child - the daughter of Andrew YOung who worked closely with MLK, Jr. and others. This narrative reveals the power of community - working together; the author uses metaphors of musical instruments to create pictures of the symphony of voices required to make the Civil Rights movement happen. Clear description towards the end of the book of the march from Selma to Montgomery, AL that proceeded LBJ's signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The author makes clear the diversity of the marchers - all religions, black and white, young and old. Great author's note at the end introducing people in the book - Ralph Abernathy, Randolph Blackwell, Dorothy Cotton, James Orange, Hosea Williams.
Would be good part of text set on Civil Rights movement - for reading aloud and rereading independently.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally teared up at the end. Based on the author's memories of being a four-year-old on the march from Selma to Montgomery (her parents were civil rights leaders), this is a really great introduction to the civil rights movement for kids. There are at least a few other civil rights books written from a child's perspective, but are there any others that are written from the actual childhood of the author, especially one whose family was so heavily involved? (I mean, she calls MLK "Uncle Martin.") The free verse really complements the story, I think, and the slight mistiness of the illustrations, the blurred edges, are really fitting for a book based on a child's memory. Too long for a regular storytime, but would be dynamite to read with a class of older students. Outstanding.

[Kasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it is a very good thing to have picture books that are informative A lot of kids will be more likely to pick this up then something that has a lot more words. This story is about a lil girl who is telling her story of what it was like during this time period. A vivid memory she has is of being rejected when she went places. A lot of children at this time went through this struggle and that might of been the hardest part about this movement.
I think for children to learn that things weren't always the way things are today is a VERY important topic to learn for them. This book would be good for 2-4th graders.

Shelton, P. Y., & Colón, R. (2010). Child of the civil rights movement. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.

[Wendy Fontenot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Title: Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Paula Young Shelton & Raul Colon

Short description of the book: The Civil Rights Movements is told through the eyes of a little girl as she recalls what she and her parents went through during this time period.

FOCUS: Informational features I would use in a mini-lesson:

1) This book would be wonderful to teach style. Shange does a wonderful job of telling the life of Coretta Scott while making it lively and interesting.

2) Shange uses no punctuation. This could be interpreted to show freedom and absence of restrictions—very indicative of the subject matter.

TEACH: CCSS Connection W.11.12.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

[Nielson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Remembering what it was like in her youth, Shelton shares her memories of the Civil Rights Movement. She recalls what it was like to have dinner with "uncle" Martin and "aunt" Coretta and other prominent figures of the Civil Rights Movement. She describes her feelings as she participated in the march from Selma to Montgomery. Combined with the text and illustrations, this would be a great book to use when discussing the Civil Rights Movement as it includes short biographies of the people discussed at the back of the book and is told from the perspective of a young child during that time period.

[Alyssa Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a historical novel written by Paula Young Shelton, daughter of civil rights activist, Andrew Young. Paula tells the story of her as a young girl and the struggles during this time period, including having her uncle, Martin Luther King, involved in the movement. This book I inspirational and can teach children a lot about the Civil Rights Movements. It focuses on the 20th century where problems, such as, voting and black power were faced. This can be used as an educational experience to children of first grade in up. It tells racial issues and social issues in our history. This book was also "Bank's Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year."

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting to hear a bit about what the Civil Rights movement was like from a child's perspective. Paula Young Shelton was actually there, four years old when her parents and her "Uncle Martin" marched in Montgomery. It's one thing for kids to hear about discrimination as something that happened to others a long time ago - it's another to hear a (now grown) child say, "we were hungry, but they wouldn't let us eat in the restaurant." Not a ton of information in this book, but a nice choice for younger ones, especially on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

[Tanner Mendelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book does an excellent job of describing the civil rights movement from the eyes of a child. She described Jim Crow Laws as "where whites could but blacks could not." A social studies teacher could use this book, with its great illustrations, to show how the people her parents interacted with were her "Civil Rights Family," which included, Uncle Martin (Martin Luther King) and Uncle Ralph (Ralph Abernathy). This book does an excellent job using the analogy of the players in the Civil Rights Movement working together "like a symphony, as one."

[Crista Goluch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Author Paula Young Shelton takes us back to her youth. She is the daughter of famed Civil Rights Activist Andrew Young and describes they day they marched threw Alabama with Uncle Martin.

I love the four year old's perspective in this book. We see about the food, the conversations and the actions. What I liked the most was her descriptions of the adults discussions being similar to instruments in and orchestra.

This is a good story to accompany a Civil Rights unit.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first reaction was...WHAT??!!! The Voting Rights Act of 1965??!! It was that recent that a bill was signed that allowed all people, black and white, could vote??!! How can that be?
Beautifully woven memories of author's childhood, daughter to civil rights leader and U.N. Ambassador, Andrew Young. The beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement is told through childhood remembrances. More information on people mentioned, including Martin Luther King, Jr., Ralph Abernathy, Young and others. Raul Colon's illustrations fit beautifully.