Seeds of Freedom The Peaceful Integration of Huntsville, Alabama
by Hester Bass
illustrated by E.B. Lewis
published by Candlewick
The Blurb
This new release from Candlewick Press explored the peaceful integration of the city of schools of Huntsville, Alabama. This seems normal to us, but during that time, integration was anything but peaceful. Seeds of Freedom is a Junior Library Guild Selection.
My Two Cents
Ok, y'all, I think i started crying on the second spread of this book: it shows a little girl with a paper showing outlines of her feet--because she wouldn't be allowed to try on shoes. That is just one of the touching depictions of what was going on during this pivotal time in history. Bass puts things into focus by showing the peripheral changes of the rest of the world...presidents, civil rights leaders, and astronauts are mentioned. She shows that the world is changing, making strides to something greater. This book is so well written and sheds lights on an important time in our country's history. She fills in any gaps in her Author's Note. This book is ideal for studying civil rights or for focused reading during Black History Month. E.B. Lewis is also one of my new favorite illustrators. Every single brushstroke of his watercolors emit the perfect emotion to match the text.
This book is beautiful.
Also by Hester Bass:
Labels: 2015, diversity in kidlit, picture book
