Nine-year-old Ron loves going to the Lake City Public Library to look through all the books on airplanes and flight. Today, Ron is ready to take out books by himself. But in the segregated world of South Carolina in the 1950s, Ron?s obtaining his own library card is not just a small rite of passage?it is a young man?s fi rst courageous mission. Here is an inspiring story, based on Ron McNair?s life, of how a little boy, future scientist, and Challenger astronaut desegregated his library through peaceful resistance.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 1–4—When nine-year-old Ron tries to take library books home instead of just looking at them, he knowingly challenges the rule that "only white people can check out books." The boy does not back down, even when his mother and the police arrive. The librarian finally relents and creates a library card for Ron, who proudly checks out the airplane books he loves to read. The purpose of Ron's "mission" is revealed with dramatic subtlety. There's no hint of racism as he walks through his 1950s South Carolina town on the way to the library where he is its "best customer." The truth emerges when a white patron offers to check out his books for him as the clerk blatantly ignores the boy. Stylized cartoon illustrations convey the town's benign facade while revealing tension through Ron's expressions of determination mixed with fear. The impact of his actions shows in the confusion and anger of onlookers. Readers do not learn if the library will change the rules for everyone, or just for Ron, but the final scene resonates as the child eagerly opens his book to page one. An author's note explains that this is a fictionalized account of a real incident from the childhood of astronaut Ron McNair, who died in the 1986 Challenger explosion. This context lends power and poignancy to the event and adds to the book's value as an introduction and discussion starter for concepts of racism and individual courage.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
In this story based on an incident from the life of astronaut Ron McNair, nine-year-old Ron walks into his local public library with a mission—to secure a library card for himself so that he can take books home to read. Because it’s 1959 and segregation laws prohibit African Americans from borrowing books, Ron is at first declined. The police arrive, but Ron refuses to be deterred; finally the head librarian agrees to bend the rules—Ron is her best patron, after all—and a very happy Ron leaves, books in hand. Based on interviews with Ron’s mother and a South Carolinian librarian, the story emphasizes McNair’s focus and determination to succeed, even if it means pointing out injustices along the way. Vibrant illustrations portray a cozy small town where rules are obeyed, mostly without thinking. Tate’s figures feature oversized heads with very expressive faces that vividly convey well-meant kindness and the frustrations of injustice. Appended with a note on McNair’s adult life, this will make a good choice for reading aloud and discussing. Grades K-2. --Kay Weisman
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Ron, a young boy from Lake City, South Carolina, grew up at a time when segregation laws and other institutionalized forms of racism prevented him from enjoying the privileges that came with having his own library card. Although the local librarian always greeted the library's most frequent patron with a smile and allowed him to read on site, Ron was not allowed to bring home the books he so loved to read. It took a courageous act of civil disobedience on young Ron's part to stand up for his rights, obtain a library card, and take a step toward the end of segregation in his home town.
Based loosely on actual events in the childhood of Ron McNair, Ron's Big Mission can inspire children to dream big about their future goals and also think about how they can, in big or small ways, work toward social justice in their community. The name Ron McNair is familiar to many, as Ron grew up to become the talented scientist and astronaut who, sadly, perished in the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger shortly after take-off in 1986. This background adds an even deeper layer of poignancy and meaning to the powerful story.
Based loosely on actual events in the childhood of Ron McNair, Ron's Big Mission can inspire children to dream big about their future goals and also think about how they can, in big or small ways, work toward social justice in their community. The name Ron McNair is familiar to many, as Ron grew up to become the talented scientist and astronaut who, sadly, perished in the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger shortly after take-off in 1986. This background adds an even deeper layer of poignancy and meaning to the powerful story.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Melissa
Format:Hardcover
My daughter picked this book from the Scholastic book order form from school because the description sounded interesting. We read it as soon as it arrived and both my 5 and 7-year-old children listened intently. My kids are white and it floored them to think that this nice black child was denied a service that they so frequently use themselves. I especially like the author's note at the end, which indicates that this is a fictionalized story based on a real event involving Ron McNair, who later became one of the astronauts who perished on the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986. I read the author's note to my children and we ended up online watching videos of the Challenger explosion and reading up on why that explosion happened and what has been done to prevent that from happening in the future. I believe this story opened up a lot of learning opportunities for my children. There is great value in choosing literature that puts your children in other people's shoes, other people who are different than themselves.
The reason I give it 4 and not 5 is because I think some people may feel that the way that Ron choose to make a scene in the library as not a good example for young children. However, I simply explained to my children why he did this and why they do not need to do this themselves.
I highly recommend this book.
The reason I give it 4 and not 5 is because I think some people may feel that the way that Ron choose to make a scene in the library as not a good example for young children. However, I simply explained to my children why he did this and why they do not need to do this themselves.
I highly recommend this book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By goodmusicman
Format:Hardcover
This little book tells the story of a young Ron McNair's (later famous as an astronaut who died in the 1986 explosion of the Challenger space shuttle) determination to check out library books for himself in a Southern down which denied that privilege to people whose skin color was not white. The book does not directly address the issue of racism. The message can be inferred from the events, dialogue, and pictures but it is a subtle message, not overtly spelled out. Most kids will see it as a matter of fairness: it is not fair that they wouldn't let Ron check out the books just because of the color of his skin. The story is also well-told, with a heroic Ron giving a smile to light up a room when things work out in the end. This story is as uplifting for adults as it is for kids.
I do not agree with the two one-star reviews here who state that children shouldn't be exposed to the issue of skin color because it isn't relevant anymore. If only that were true! Racism is still alive and well and children need to know from a young age that any kind of discrimination on the basis of skin color, or anything arbitrary, is wrong and "unfair." If the proper lessons are not taught at a young age, the wrong lessons may be "taught" to kids when they grow up from sources that parents would never want their kids to get their values from. I therefore recommend this book as highly as possible.
I do not agree with the two one-star reviews here who state that children shouldn't be exposed to the issue of skin color because it isn't relevant anymore. If only that were true! Racism is still alive and well and children need to know from a young age that any kind of discrimination on the basis of skin color, or anything arbitrary, is wrong and "unfair." If the proper lessons are not taught at a young age, the wrong lessons may be "taught" to kids when they grow up from sources that parents would never want their kids to get their values from. I therefore recommend this book as highly as possible.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Amber
Format:Hardcover
I must say I was shocked to see that some reviewers found it "inappropriate". I don't understand that thinking. Ignoring the history of racism doesn't make it go away, nor does pretending your child doesn't see people of different size, shape, ability, and color around him/her.
My son brought this home from school today. What a great book! Even the older girls came in to listen. This spurred a short discussion on history, race, and the Challenger accident.
It was well written, easy to read, engaging, and very well illustrated.
My son brought this home from school today. What a great book! Even the older girls came in to listen. This spurred a short discussion on history, race, and the Challenger accident.
It was well written, easy to read, engaging, and very well illustrated.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By M. Heiss
Format:Hardcover
I read the one-star reviews. I agree that this book makes a BIG issue of skin color, and many families in America have never been slapped with the skin color issue while the children are in their preschool years (the illustrations are appealing for preschoolers/early elementary.)
Skin color WAS a big issue at that time in America and in Ron McNair's life, even though it is far less of an issue now.
I love this book for the illustrations, the sense of mission, and that little boy's courage, because it would take guts to stand there and not cry.
Parents should pre-read. Parents are the best judge of material for their children.
Another interesting book is More Than Anything Else, about Booker T. Washington's pursuit of reading. More Than Anything Else
Also Richard Wright and the Library Card. Richard Wright and the Library Card
Skin color WAS a big issue at that time in America and in Ron McNair's life, even though it is far less of an issue now.
I love this book for the illustrations, the sense of mission, and that little boy's courage, because it would take guts to stand there and not cry.
Parents should pre-read. Parents are the best judge of material for their children.
Another interesting book is More Than Anything Else, about Booker T. Washington's pursuit of reading. More Than Anything Else
Also Richard Wright and the Library Card. Richard Wright and the Library Card
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Black History
This book was a great addition to my book collection. I will use it each year during my black history month. The children absolutely loved the story and the illustrations.
Published 18 days ago by Life Long Learner!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Inspirational
My son, then four, won this book at a school art show and when he brought it home and asked him to read it with him, I did so blind, without knowing anything about the tale, or the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. WIlliams
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not appropriate for Children
I bought this book at my son's book fair. Being in kindergarten I expected all the books present to be appropriate for his age. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Donald P Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!
I bought this book after hearing the true story. The text is accurate and honoring of another "great American. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Don D. Bouchard
5.0 out of 5 stars
What an Inspirational Book Young or Old
This book is a great read! After reading this book, not only was I touched but it inspired me to want to further educate my children about our history. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Loving Parent
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Lesson
My daughter I and go to the library almost every week. After looking up information or searching for a book on our visit, we hand the librarian a book at the circulation desk. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Steven C. Thedford
1.0 out of 5 stars
CAUTION: Poorly Written and Not Appropriate for Young Children
I was considering this book for my five year old son. When I read it in the book store, I was appalled. My mouth dropped at what I was reading. Read more
Published 12 months ago by T. McIntosh
1.0 out of 5 stars
DO NOT READ THIS TO YOUNG CHILDREN!!!!!!
this book was read to my 5yr old at school and is TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE FOR YOUNG KIDS. my child never saw people as a "color" before this book. Read more
Published on November 3, 2010 by br
1.0 out of 5 stars
important, but inappropriate
My 3-yr old daughter picked this book out in our local library for me to read to her. I was utterly embarrassed to be reading this story aloud to her in the library and very upset... Read more
Published on August 26, 2010 by momof2
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