Abby Takes a Stand

Scraps of Time #1

by Patricia C. McKissack, Gordon C. James (Illustrator)

A historical chapter book series from three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and Newbery Honor author, Patricia C. McKissack.

Why has their grandmother bothered keeping a menu from a restaurant that closed years ago, a restaurant that never served very good food in the first place? Three cousins listen to Gee's own story, set in the early days of lunch counter sit-ins in Nashville, a time when a black child could sit up front in a city bus but still could not get a milk shake at a downtown restaurant. Through the eyes of ten-year-old Abby, young readers see what it was like to live through those days, and they'll come to understand that, like a menu, freedom is about having choices. Each book in this series tells the story behind a different "scrap of time"; together they form a patchwork quilt of one black family's past that stretches back for generations.

"A perfect introduction to an extraordinary time when regular people, even ten-year-old girls, make a difference." -- The Horn Book

"The book gives readers a kid's-eye view of important happenings and reminds them that history is something that is in the making." -- Booklist

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, African American, Childrens, Chapter Books, School

104 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2005

About the author

Patricia C. McKissack was the Newbery Honor, Coretta Scott King Award-winning author of The Dark-Thirty and Porch Lies an ALA Notable Book. She collaborated with Jerry Pinkney on Goin' Someplace Special (Coretta Scott King Award winner) and Mirandy and Brother Wind (Coretta Scott King Award winner and Caldecott Honor Book).

Reviews

[Lauran Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed reading this book, it was a very refreshing story line about a 10 year old girl named Abby. The author does a great job of showcasing the 1960's so that a younger reader could picture exactly how things were back then. I believe that this book includes a lot of opportunities to learn about the 1960's and the civil rights movement. Although this book is fictional, it might be a good book to read during black history month to commemorate the actions of the nations African-American leaders and protesters.

[Samantha Rojas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gee (Abby) retells a story about her past to her grandchildren. In 1960, Abby helped protest against segregation by passing out flyers. This book would be suitable for 3rd-5th grade readers. This book fits the genre historical fiction. You could use this book to connect to a history lesson. There is some violence and segregation in this book that may not be appropriate for all readers.

[Stephanie ((Strazzybooks)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“[My cousin] wanted to change things, and that meant he had to go into scary water.”

I loved this book. It's the first in the series, and the premise is that kids are in their grandma’s attic, discovering history and their Black family’s past.

In Abby Takes a Stand, Abby and her community take part in the 1960’s sit-ins in Nashville.
It was engaging, informative, and important. It acknowledges the fear and determination that went into the protests.

Recommended for all students, and I look forward to reading the other three in the series.

[Oksana Kasyanova · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading through this book. It's short, memorable, and uplifting - perfect if you want a quick read.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another in the Scraps of Time series written for young adults as an introduction to a history lesson. The time frame is 1928. Abby and her mother are free to visit the "colored stores", but they cannot sit at the luncheon counter of those stores. They must stand in the back, while the white people are given service.

The author tells a tale of Abby who frequently accompanied her mother to Harvey's store. When she tried to have service at the restaurant of the store that had a children-friendly theme, she was scorned and made to feel like dirt.

Soon, she and her mother joined her cousin in attending rallies advocating sit ins. The book depicts a time in history when blacks stood for their rights by sitting down at luncheon counters.

While the book seemed trite and not well written, hopefully it opens the door for young adults to learn more about civil rights.

[Gabriella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Abby Takes a Stand by Patricia C. McKissack.

Abby is a black girl during the Civil Rights Movement in 1960. She went to the Monkey Bar Grill at Harvey's but since she's black they kicked her out. Abby was scared and mad. While sit-ins were going on she and her friend Patsy snuck out to watch. It turned out to be scarier than she thought. Her uncle and his girlfriend got arrested. Then it started to rain. They had to rush back to the library. Will Abby be safe and overcome her fear?

I liked the book. It showed how scary sit-ins really were, how bad they treated black people, and lastly how white people could join protests.

I recomend this book to third and fourth graders who like books about the Civil Rights Movement. If you are like that, this book would be perfect for you!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent kid-friendly explanation of the troubling times in the 60s. The illustrations were interesting and provided some visuals for students who struggle imagining. The vocabulary was very simple.

[Michelle Vanek · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the American civil rights movement, Gee recalls the year 1960 when, as 10-year-old Abby, she is stunned to be turned away from the new restaurant, just because she is black.

[Hamza Abdlrehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story begins in Gee's attic where Gee's grandma, Abby, recalls for her grandchildren what happened in 1960 in Nashville. Abby was a black girl living with her family, she was 10 years old , and she used to spend her time with her close friend Patsy. One day, Abby went to town with her mother, there she suffered for the first time from racism because of her color. After that incident, Abby gained an early awareness; she became aware that this world contains good and bad people, and she became a civil rights activist as a member of the flyer brigade, handing out flyers about nonviolent protest. She was an active person while helping her cousin, John, and the other enthusiastic blacks. This novel continued transferring the course of events from the nonviolent sit-ins organized by blacks, whit violence, deadly discrimination, and the steadfastness of the blacks and their faith in the justice of their issue. After along patience, the blacks got their demands and rights. Equality dwelled between the white and black. Also, they were allowed to be served in restaurants and other public places.

The main idea of this novel is about the black’s history in USA. I think there were a lot of purposes that prompted the author to write this novel. He wanted to discuses important issues and to plant it in the reader’s mind and that’s what he did with me. He developed my knowledge of the black's history, and increased my consciousness about what happened at that time. In addition, I appreciate the efforts of black people to gain their rights and I think that’s what the writer expected from readers. I learned from African Americans how to be patient. Also I understood the intensity of the challenge of reaching what I want. As well as, this novel made me reject racism in all of its forms, we are all human beings and we are equal. Abby takes a stand has achieved all the purposes of the writer on me. It left me sailing in this period of time and thinking in its dimensions. It has made me Redefine important human concepts and values that we have always thought we understand. Do we really know what is justice? Is there human justice? What is the law and how a person could be oppressed under the law? Where is the conscience and what humanity means? And why we hate the different people? All of these issues this novel left me thinking about and searching for its answers.

The author's style was a beautiful and new one. And that is because he started from the end of the novel and then he moved to the beginning and events. Such styles may make the reader feels lost at first, but soon understands what is going on. The events were very interesting especially in the last 30 pages of the novel. I was eager to see the end so I ended the novel in a short time. I joined in with events to the extent that I wished I would enter the novel and arrange or change some events on my mood. I spent a good time reading it and wished it was longer.


This book was one of the books that attracted me in a strange way, I actually enjoyed reading it. It presents the American black history in a simple, understandable way and with clear diction. Also it gives us the opportunity to live the events of 1960's and to learn more about the civil rights movement. Abby takes a stand gives me a lot of information about the black history of the Great State, the state which I aspire to travel to. I really loved it, and I am sure that you will, too. I severely recommend you read it, especially if you love to search for the truth, to dive in the history of people and to think on the concepts of life.

I liked some of the quotes in the novel, quotes about racism like, "equality and Discrimination do not meet, they are like water and oil”. It is a deep quote worthy of contemplation.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Scraps of Time Abby Takes a Stand by Patricia C. McKissack

Abby lived in Nashville Tennessee -1960 and Abby and her family were blacks. And whites still did not appreciate blacks. Blacks were getting tired of seeing signs that say: WHITES ONLY! And one day someone gives Abby a flyer to a store, she goes and whites say bad things to her that makes her sad. So Abby's family started to do sit-ins, along with peaceful protests. But when Abby sees her cousin get hurt and arrested, she is speechless, and doesn't know what to do. Read to find out more!

I liked Scraps of Time Abby Takes a Stand because it talks about history and lots of true facts that actually happend during that time, and along with lots of details!

I recommend this book to people who like books that go back in history. This book would be a good fit for 3rd-4th graders, who like history!

[Lee Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring! This is a short and sweet introduction to the topic of sit-ins during the Civil Rights Movement. Abby is a great protagonist, and I loved how she was able to help with the movement in small but mighty ways. Her mother was also fantastic. I also appreciated how it tackled the issue of defeatism in John's parents, who were so beaten down by years and years of racism that they didn't see the point in protesting. Reading the book as an adult (evaluating it for "maturity level" for some work), I didn't expect to feel very emotionally involved in the characters--after all, it's such a short book! But McKissack does a great job creating extremely sympathetic characters in such a small number of pages. 4/5 stars.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book narrates an important moment in history and for that I recommend it for either young or reluctant readers. One issues I had, as far as readability, was the time skip at the start. It happened unprompted and introduced many new characters, right after naming four other characters who we won't meet again until the end of the book. If you have readers who struggle with comprehension, this is something to prepare for an warn your readers of. Although the pace is slow, the story is compelling. I find not all characters were necessary for plot development, and they may be distracting for some readers, but it did add to the history and community of the story. Scraps of Time: Abby Takes a Stand will be a great supplemental piece when teaching and discussing the civil rights movement.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Scraps of time Abby takes a stand 1960 by Patricia McKissack.

Abby was a child in the civil rights movement in 1950-1960 she gave out fliers to help blacks get equal rights. Abby's cousin John is the leader of the sit-ins in Nashville, Tennessee.She gets kicked out of the monkey bar grill but a person gave her a flier.

I loved this book because it gives specific details about the time period and you will too!!!

I recommend this book to people that is glad there is change like me and to history lovers like me again!!!

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 2nd grade son requested this short historical fiction chapter book after reading and loving The Home Run King, the fourth and final book in this Scraps of Time series. We both enjoyed this book (though not quite as much as The Home Run King, which included a genuine Negro League baseball celebrity as a character). Ideal for a 1st-4th grade audience, Abby Takes a Stand would be a useful introduction to nonviolent protests during the Civil Rights movement from a child's perspective.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book for younger readers that leads to discussions about the civil rights movements. The events described really help the reader feel like they are there with the Abby. I love the details included and especially how it is written with a younger audience in mind. I have used this book with 3rd grade literature circles and they loved it as well. It couples very well with news clips from the time period. Highly recommend!

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my fourth graders as a core text for our American Historical Fiction unit. It’s a decent book that tackles a difficult subject—segregation—but it doesn’t go in depth. A lot of my students mentioned that Abby felt a bit like a doll, more so than Kenny (of the Watsons Go To Birmingham, which is the other book we’re reading for the unit). I enjoyed it, it was a quick and easy read, and it worked well for our purposes.

[Helen Pugsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa. This one rocked me. There was a white kid in this book, who was told to spit on the protester. That kid would've been old enough to babysit by the time my parents came along. 1960 feels like a long time ago, but it's not.
I want kids to read this. They're living through so much. It would be good for them to see other kids doing it too. Damn. This broke me.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because my 9 yr old was reading it for a school project. It was an excellent and educational story. I thought the reading was a little easy for a 4th grader, but enjoyable nonetheless.

[Melanie Storie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m reading this book with a group of children at my school and I think it is a great introduction to the Civil Rights Movement from a child’s perspective. This book focuses on the sit-ins in Nashville and the non-violent protest philosophy of the movement. Wonderful.

[Marnie Diem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for young readers on the civil rights movement. Read it to use with a fourth grade book club. Great for the readers who struggle a bit as the story is written at a lower reading level, while still keeping the content engaging.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My students really liked it. I thought it was written very well for elementary students. It had a very interesting story line that tied into the Civil Rights time.

[Season Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this short book very much!

[mars! · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went to a cabin and picked this up to randomly read and the person who owns the book said this was her book club book, and so now I’m in a book club ig

[Mrs. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book that talks about the historical event during the Civil Rights Movement.

[Crystal Elizabeth James · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

teaches you a lot about being honest and also about the time period of the civil rights movement.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good story

[Melanie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1960 Negroes were able to sit anywhere on the bus but they was not accepted in certain places. So one Abby was handed a flyer for a carousel ride and she could get on because of her skin color. She told her mother what happen and her mother told her cousin. He told her that there will be a meeting at First Baptist Church to plan a protest. At the meeting John had mention about a sit-in that happen in Greensboro, North Carolina at Woolworth's lunch counter and they should have one in Nashville, Tennessee. Everyone agree and the protest started the next day. They would sit there until the restaurant closed and no one would serve them because of their skin color. In April, Mr.Lobby who is a lawyer house had explode with dynamite that a crowd of students marched to City Hall to see the mayor, Ben West. As Abby And her mother was watching television they heard a girl asked the mayor, "Mr.Mayor do you think it's fair that the restaurants won't serve people just because of the color of their skin?" He looked at the faces in the crowd and he said "No, I don't". Everyone was happy that their hard work paid off because they won and now that were able to go to the restaurant and be served. Abby and her mother went downtown the next day to eat it the restaurant and when they went back home her mother gave her a copy of the Monkey Bar menu and told her " I want you to keep this. A lot of people- you included- worked very hard and sacrificed to make it possible. Don't you ever forget that." Abby said " Okay" and kept it as a scrap of time.
It is an excellant book because it allow kid to read what the blacks have to do in order to be treated fairly even though some of the rules was lifted.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to facilitate a Grade 3/4 book group at my daughter’s school. The book, Scraps of Time, 1960: Abby Takes a Stand by Patricia C. McKissack, is a quick, succinct read depicting, from a 10-year-old girl’s perspective, many important issues of the Civil Rights movement in Nashville. I assumed the exact characters were fictional, but the mention of Z. Alexander Looby on p. 82 was certainly too specific not to be true. It always interests me to learn more about important but not widely known people.

The students were completely absorbed with the drama of the unfairness and the bravery of standing up for yourself, politely. I was surprised they didn't mention Chapter 1 at all, and had little to say about the BFF Patsy, although she does serve the purpose of painting a 10-year-old who is just like the reader. We were also able to look at the common literary technique of a story-within-a-story.

The rules for the nonviolent sit-ins appear at the back of the book.

This review is from a 1/15/09 entry at my blog runspot.wordpress.com
Related posts:
First Black Woman Doctor
Black History Month
African American Portraits
Juneteenth

[Alexis Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reader, I was drawn to this short story because it was portrayed through the eyes of a young girl who learned what equality was through a harsh lesson. In the beginning, all Abbey wanted to do was ride the merry go round at the Monkey Bar, but when she was shunned it opened her eyes to what was happening in the real world. As with her Uncle John and his fiancé, Abbey was able to contribute her share of these protests by passing out flyers, as they sat in non-violent protests. Abbey was able to see first hand the beatings and violence that came from Whites and she shared all this with her best friend. Prior to reading this, I never realized how much young children actually have the ability to see the reality we have in this world. My favorite part when she drank from the “white” water fountain.