Title: Rosa
Author: Giovanni, Nikki
Illustrator : Collier, Brian
Publisher: Scholastic Inc. 2005
Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction Literature
Age Range: 3rd grade and Up
Awards: Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Award

Summary: This is the story of Rosa Parks and her courageous effort to stand up against racism and say "No" when asked to move on the bus. Rosa had gotten off work early. She was on her way home to make supper for her husband. She was sitting in the neutral section of the bus when the driver asked her to move. When she said no, the police came and she was arrested. The people around her town made signs to protest. They thought that segregation had ended, but when Emmett Till was persecuted, and killed, they knew it was not. Martin Luther King Jr. preached that noone would ride the bus. And they didn't. Eventually, justice was served. Segregation was ruled illegal.

Response: I really enjoyed this book. The author and illustrator's note gave some great insight on what I was about to read. I found it so interesting of Collier's idea of making Mrs. Parks "illuminate." I loved his artwork throughout this novel. It was so dimensional and captivating. The story that Giovanni captured was perfect. I really liked how she pointed out the simple things like, getting on the bus from the back and making enough signs for every person of color.

Teaching Ideas: This book is so captivating and poignant that it could be used in almost any grade (3rd and up.) I think that the content is dense enough that highschoolers could learn something from it, and younger students could use it as a research base. Of course this book would also work in nicely with a social studies lesson on the civil rights movement.

-jeana