Freedom's Children: Young Civil Rights Activists Tell Their Own Stories [Library Binding]

Ellen Levine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1999

THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Southern blacks who were young and involved in the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s describe their experiences.

--This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Filled with inspiring accounts of faith and courage, this book rescues and preserves the stories of children and teenagers who contributed to the civil rights movement. All of us know, for example, of Rosa Parks, whose refusal in 1955 to give up her seat to a white man on a city bus sparked the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott. Most of us don't know, however, that just months earlier high school junior Claudette Colvin had been arrested for doing the same thing. In their own words, Colvin and 29 others tell their stories in this book, reminding us once again of the broad base that helped ensure the success of the movement in the South. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

The names of those whose voices are heard in these pages are not recorded in textbooks, yet their childhoods in Alabama, Mississippi or Arkansas were marked by acts of extraordinary courage that collectively altered the course of American history. They were among the participants, and in some cases the leaders, of numerous civil rights demonstrations in the 1960s, many of which had violent, tragic outcomes. These individuals, whom Levine doggedly tracked down, were some of the first black young people to attend formerly all-white schools; to participate in sit-ins at segregated lunch counters in stores; to become Freedom Riders, protesting illegal segregation on interstate buses; and to wage the arduous, bloody fight to secure voting rights for blacks. Chronicling all of these campaigns--as well as shocking incidents of senseless beatings, unjust jailings and murders--these first-person accounts are articulate and affecting. Representative are the words of Gladis Williams, repeatedly arrested for taking part in protests during her high school years in Montgomery: "So far as having fear, we didn't even know what fear was. We just had our minds set on freedom, and that was it." Ages 11-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: Bt Bound (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785720707
• ISBN-13: 978-0785720706
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 4.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,547,858 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ellen Levine has always been drawn to stories of people who struggled for justice, and of ordinary people who did extraordinary things. She was fascinated by Henry "Box" Brown, whose escape is recounted in The Underground Railroad by William Still, first published in 1872. Ms. Levine was awed by Henry's ingenious idea and moved by his incredible courage. Among the author's award-winning books are Freedom's Children, winner of the Jane Addams Peace Award and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults; and Darkness Over Denmark, a Jame Addams Peace Award Honor Book and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. She lives in New York City and Salem, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, March 20, 2007

By 

R. Yaeger (California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Freedom's Children: Young Civil Rights Activists Tell Their Own Stories (Paperback)

I think it is a great book for children to read because it shows them that people their age can make a difference in the world. The stories are inspiring.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars heartfelt accounts... children's 'history' of Civil Rights, February 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Freedom's Children: Young Civil Rights Activists Tell Their Own Stories (Paperback)

Touching and powerfully honest personal accounts of the daily lives of children / youth in the Civil Rights Movement. Children surviving domestic terrorism in a culture of violence, ever hopeful of realizing " all men are created equal". Though it documents 'traumatic' incidents the focus is on courage , hope, and our personal responsibility for making the world a better world. For the children each day, each choice, each action made a profound vote for justice and equality. They are truly activists, and advocates for 'humanity'. Our elementary class uses this book to learn about and portray each person. They often seek to emulate them.The children respectfully honor these young heroes, and find their own 'voice'.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is an inspiring story about child activists!, November 24, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Freedom's Children: Young Civil Rights Activists Tell Their Own Stories (Paperback)

Freedom's Children is filled with inspiring real life stories of children who lived in the 1950's. It tells about their separate lives and how they fought for Civil Rights. This book describes many aspects of the movement. One part is about the Little Rock Nine. I admire them for having enough courage to attend an all white school. They were made fun of and even physically threatened by fellow students. The book also tells about the bus boycott, Freedom Riders, and all the laws passed to make a better life for African Americans. I enjoyed this book mostly because of how much it taught me and I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn