I bought this book out of admiration for John Lewis’ life and work and got much more out of it. The story of his childhood, family and determination to make a difference is inspiring, and the drawings are first-rate. I literally could not put it down until it was finished and it is a must in your homeschool.
After you read the book, be sure to check out this FREE Activity Guide
“March: Book One” is a graphic novel written by Congressman John Lewis and co-written by Andrew Aydin. The beautiful art was created by Nate Powell. It is the first volume in a trilogy of graphic novels chronicling Lewis’s involvement in the civil rights movement. The book was published in 2013 and won numerous awards, including the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.
The book begins with Lewis’s childhood in rural Alabama, growing up on a farm without electricity or running water. It then follows him as he becomes involved in the civil rights movement, starting with the Montgomery Bus Boycott and continuing through the Freedom Rides, the march on Washington, and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
One of the strengths of “March: Book One” is the way it personalizes the civil rights movement, showing how one individual’s actions can have a huge impact on history. Lewis’s narrative is engaging and inspiring, and Powell’s art is powerful and emotive. Overall, “March: Book One” is a thought-provoking and moving work.
After you finish the book, then you can work with your children to brainstorm ways they can be an “upstander” and not just a “bystander” in their community. Finish by creating “Upstander Posters” as found in this FREE Activity Guide
I highly recommend this book for your homeschool. The content is sensitive but an important part of our history and the powerful impact that John Lewis made to the civil rights movement.
