Rosa
Giovanni, N. (2005). Rosa. New York, NY: Henry Holt.
This book gives a touching, personal story to the history of Rosa Parks. It begins with a normal December day for Rosa as she prepares to go to work. Rosa is a skilled seamstress and works long hours, but finishes work early and daydreams of beating her husband home to make him his favorite meal. As she does every day, she boards the bus to get home. Only this time the section reserved for blacks is full so she chooses a seat in the neutral section for blacks and whites. However, she is asked to give up her seat for a white man soon after. Rosa stands her ground and refuses to give up her seat. The rest of the book tells of the black community in Alabama standing together to say enough is enough and boycotting the bus system until eventually the Supreme Court rules segregation illegal.
I love this book for its inside look into the story of Rosa Parks. Personal details such as Rosa's mother being sick with the flu and the fact that meatloaf was her husband's favorite meal make Rosa really come to life. The injustice of segregation and the civil rights movement are captured in the detailed artwork that fills each page. This is an excellent addition to any black history lesson or any library to teach children how far we have come as a nation and how we must continue to strive for equality for all.
More information on public transportation, segregation, Rosa Parks, and the Civil Rights movement:
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Lesson ideas for Rosa Parks from BrainPop:
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