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The Teachers March!: How Selma's Teachers Changed History by Sandra Neil Wallace, Rich Wallace
_lish_'s review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
mnboyer's review
5.0
Reverend Reese is called a “troublemaker” by the (white) town sheriff because he is a black man who likes to protest, wants to register to vote, and fights segregation in places like Selma, Alabama. He is also a teacher. He wonders, what if all of the teachers march and send a message that they will not be silenced? Dr. King then gives his most important speech and, afterward, agrees to come to Brown Chapel – and everyone is encouraged to join the march. This is, of course, based on a historic march. They get to the steps to register to vote and the sheriff bars them entry, but he also does not arrest anyone. This all leads to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
How to Use This Book: Nonfiction should be included in lessons and readings about black life in America throughout the year, but are especially important during Black History Month. This book should be read to children as a quick, easy way to describe the effort that black individuals went through in order to get the right to vote.
Personal Response: Personally, the artwork in this book is not my favorite, however, the images that are being depicted are very unique to a certain era and moment in history, making them worthwhile for young readers. As a nonfiction example, this is a perfect length for the target reading audience and I appreciate that there are recommended reading lists in the back of the book for those interested in Civil Rights in the United States. A book that is needed, especially in areas where history is being erased/forgotten.
How to Use This Book: Nonfiction should be included in lessons and readings about black life in America throughout the year, but are especially important during Black History Month. This book should be read to children as a quick, easy way to describe the effort that black individuals went through in order to get the right to vote.
Personal Response: Personally, the artwork in this book is not my favorite, however, the images that are being depicted are very unique to a certain era and moment in history, making them worthwhile for young readers. As a nonfiction example, this is a perfect length for the target reading audience and I appreciate that there are recommended reading lists in the back of the book for those interested in Civil Rights in the United States. A book that is needed, especially in areas where history is being erased/forgotten.
crystalisreading's review
informative
inspiring
4.75
The Teacher's March! by Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace is a historical nonfiction picture book about a event in the Civil Rights movement that is not often mentioned, (I admit that I don't remember ever hearing of it before.), the Teacher's March in Selma, Alabama. Prior to the more infamous events in Selma, Alabama, featuring MLK Jr., John Lewis, and so many other brave civil rights activists, the Reverend F.D. Reese, a science teacher as well as a minister, led a group of 104 school teachers on a march through Selma to the court house to ask to register to vote...again. While they were denied their right to register at that time, they were, notably, not arrested, which made an important step in the campaign to secure the right to vote for Black Americans.
This book not only relays the story of the March itself, but also gives historical context from both before and after the March, setting it in the greater framework of the Civil Rights movement. The authors include first hand perspectives from surviving witnesses they personally interviewed, including Reverend F.D. Reese himself. The story is easy to read, with a compelling narrative structure and striking acrylic on board illustrations. Several pages at the end of the book offer an author's note which includes further information and context, as well as present day photos of two of the surviving marchers, and black and white historical photos from Selma marches. There is also a concise timeline of events and a comprehensive bibliography citing books, personal interviews and visits, films and audio resources, websites, magazines, newspapers, and journals. A portion of the proceeds from this book are being donated to the historic church featured in this story and a STEAM academy in Selma.
"The teacher's didn't breathe a word . . . but you could hear courage in their leather shoes churning up the red dirt road."
Overall this was just a great read, highly recommended for the children in your life. While honest about the nature of the resistance the Black residents of Selma faced, the book does not include detailed enough descriptions of violence to distress most young readers. Instead, this book shows how everyone can contribute to making a positive difference and standing up for what is right, and sheds a light on one historical event, set within a greater historical context--neither of which should be forgotten.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Astra Publishing for sharing a free advance copy of #TheTeachersMarch with me.
This book not only relays the story of the March itself, but also gives historical context from both before and after the March, setting it in the greater framework of the Civil Rights movement. The authors include first hand perspectives from surviving witnesses they personally interviewed, including Reverend F.D. Reese himself. The story is easy to read, with a compelling narrative structure and striking acrylic on board illustrations. Several pages at the end of the book offer an author's note which includes further information and context, as well as present day photos of two of the surviving marchers, and black and white historical photos from Selma marches. There is also a concise timeline of events and a comprehensive bibliography citing books, personal interviews and visits, films and audio resources, websites, magazines, newspapers, and journals. A portion of the proceeds from this book are being donated to the historic church featured in this story and a STEAM academy in Selma.
"The teacher's didn't breathe a word . . . but you could hear courage in their leather shoes churning up the red dirt road."
Overall this was just a great read, highly recommended for the children in your life. While honest about the nature of the resistance the Black residents of Selma faced, the book does not include detailed enough descriptions of violence to distress most young readers. Instead, this book shows how everyone can contribute to making a positive difference and standing up for what is right, and sheds a light on one historical event, set within a greater historical context--neither of which should be forgotten.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Astra Publishing for sharing a free advance copy of #TheTeachersMarch with me.
mldavisreads's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
5.0
Nonfiction picture book for older readers. This book is about Selma, Alabama and the Civil Rights Movement. However, it is not about the famous march with John Lewis, but a smaller more local march that came before it. Black people in Selma were tired of being denied the vote. Under the leadership of FD Reese, a teacher and preacher, 105 teachers marched together to the courthouse to register to vote. Though they didn't get to register that day, they did get to go home without being arrested or losing their job. That showing of strength from the teachers inspired others and later many of them did march from Selma all the way to Montgomery.
This book goes into the human emotions behind the marches-- a preacher covering up his bruises from past police interactions, a young girl worrying what will happen if her mother is put in jail, risking job security to stand up for something that should already be yours. A powerful book to go deeper into this important time in history with upper elementary or older children. The illustrations are painted and colorful, with some faces having details and others being blurred. Extensive back matter has resource lists, more information, notes from the author and illustrator, timeline, and photographs.
This book goes into the human emotions behind the marches-- a preacher covering up his bruises from past police interactions, a young girl worrying what will happen if her mother is put in jail, risking job security to stand up for something that should already be yours. A powerful book to go deeper into this important time in history with upper elementary or older children. The illustrations are painted and colorful, with some faces having details and others being blurred. Extensive back matter has resource lists, more information, notes from the author and illustrator, timeline, and photographs.