Rosa

Giovanni, Nikki. (2005). New York, NY: Holt.

Genre: Biography

Awards: Caldecott Award and Coretta Scott King Award

Lexile Measure: 900L

DRA: 50

AR: 5.1

Summary: After a very long day of work, Rosa Parks rode the public bus back home. She refused to give her seat to a white person and go back to the end of the bus or ride standing like the segregation laws required black people to do. She was arrested for standing up for her rights. Her courages actions evoked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a cry for equal rights. Rosa Park became one of the most influential figures  in the Civil Rights Movement.

Reader Response: This narrative poetry book brings tribute to one of the most influential women's in U.S. history. The cut out pictures and the rhyming verses makes the retelling of Rosa's life more unique. This is a book that should not only be read during Black History Month, but during Women's History Month, Hero Week at schools and/or  a daily read aloud in class to expose children to stand up for what is right. It can also be included in the classroom library when learning about poetry or events in history.

Nikki Giovanni Official Website
PoetryFoundation.org

Other poetry books for children that focus on the Civil Rights Movement:

Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport

The Great Migration: Journey to the North by Eloise Greenfield