katieproctorbooks's review against another edition

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4.0

This is really quality middle grade nonfiction. It’s engaging abd the language is accessible, and I really appreciate all the research and notes and everything that went into it. Will be a valuable teaching tool!

novelesque_life's review against another edition

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4.0

RATING: 4.5 STARS
2018; Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins Canada
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What a fabulous book for children and adults. Before Rosa Parks there was Elizabeth Jennings trying to win the right to ride on a streetcar. On her way to church she decides to board the first streetcar that comes and is forcibly removed by the driver. She takes this fight to court and wins, but we don't really hear about Jennings in history so this was great to read. I love the way this book is outlined and would recommend it to anyone to read. This would be a great read with kids.

***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***

sc104906's review against another edition

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2.0

I received this through Edelweiss.

This tells the story of basically unknown Elizabeth Jennings, an African American women, who challenged unfair laws in the late 1800s. When Jennings was violently forced off of a streetcar for being African American, she fought back legally, in hopes of changing the law and fighting for equality. This early equality fighter challenged her time and even though she slipped through the public's knowledge, her actions helped those that came after her.

I think this was an interesting historical figure and I am glad she has been brought to light. Most of this novel felt like it was written for adults/educators, instead of being written for children. I am glad this book exists, but it was rather dry.

grandma_debby's review against another edition

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Like Rosa Parks, Elizabeth Jennings refused to get off a streetcar, but this was 1854. Elizabeth's lawyer was Chester Arthur, future President.

The background of Elizabeth's family, the Black community in New York, and well-known anti-slavery activists like Horace Greeley and Frederick Douglass, who publicised Elizabeth's story and trial which resulted in court affirmation of the right of Blacks to use public transportation, are well documented. Many illustrations, copies of period photographs and documents, enhance the book. Extensive endnotes, bibliography, suggested additional reading and internet sources would be helpful to anyone interested in or writing about the mid-nineteenth century era.

Elizabeth herself contributed more than that one successful lawsuit; she was an accomplished musician, unusually well educated (even among white females) for her time, was active in civic and religious organizations, operated a free lending library in her home, and started the first free kindergarten for Black children in New York City--and that when kindergarten was still a fairly new idea.

amdame1's review against another edition

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4.0

100 years before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus, Elizabeth Jennings basically did the same thing on a streetcar in New York City. Yet few people have heard about her story and the court case that won black people the right to ride integrated street cars. An important piece of history for sure, well told and appears to be thoroughly researched. Lots of archival newspapers clippings and interesting tidbits about how the author found out about the story and followed through about various things.