Civil Rights Movement for Kids or Mitt Romney

Civil Rights Movement for Kids: A History with 21 Activities

Author: Mary Turck

Surprisingly, kids were some of the key instigators in the Civil Rights Movement, like Barbara Johns, who held a rally in her elementary school gym that eventually led to the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court school desegregation decision, and six-year-old Ruby Bridges, who was the first black student to desegregate elementary schools in New Orleans. In The Civil Rights Movement for Kids, children will discover how students and religious leaders worked together to demand the protection of civil rights for black Americans. They will relive the fear and uncertainty of Freedom Summer and learn how northern white college students helped bring national attention to atrocities committed in the name of segregation, and they’ll be inspired by the speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers, and Malcolm X. Activities include: reenacting a lunch counter sit-in; organizing a workshop on nonviolence; holding a freedom film festival followed by a discussion; and organizing a choral group to sing the songs that motivated the foot soldiers in this war for rights.

OC Family

Well-written and detailed book.

Children's Literature

Here is a thorough history of the Civil Rights Movement with emphasis on the role that the children and youth of America played in it. Topics follow a historical time line spotlighting the activists in the movement and including documentary photos. The chapters end with relevant activities aimed at today's children. For example, the opening chapter describes segregation in the early days of the '50s; how 16year old Barbara Johns organized a student strike to get a decent new school; and how the NAACP brought this, along with the Linda Brown case, as a lawsuit to the Supreme Court. The activity that follows is for children to survey their own attitudes towards skin color and to plan a civil rights event. A list of resources and children's books at the back of the text provides suggestions for such events. The book concludes with copies of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This study generally seems more appropriate for older readers or, at the least, family or classroom discussion because of its length, depth of treatment, and inclusion of violent acts and strong language. 2000, Chicago Review Press, Ages 9 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Carol Raker Collins

KLIATT

There is just enough material in each of these fine books to inform without overwhelming students; each would be a good introduction to its subject matter for younger YAs. They offer an appealing format for learning about history, with a profusion of b/w photos and intriguing sidebars: for example, "What Causes Extinction?" in the Lewis and Clark title, and statistics on continuing economic inequality in the civil rights book. Teachers will welcome the suggested activities, which range from recording oral histories of the civil rights era to staging a short play (script provided) about a lunch counter sit-in, for the civil rights book, to identifying and tracking animal prints or making dried fruit in the Lewis and Clark book. Lewis and Clark for Kids includes a glossary of terms and listings of Lewis and Clark sites, organizations, and events, along with helpful Web sites. The Civil Rights Movement for Kids includes profiles of leaders in the movement, songs, a time line, and the texts of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, as well as lists of Web sites, civil rights organizations, videos, and books. KLIATT Codes: J—Recommended for junior high school students. 2000, Independent Publishers Group/Chicago Review Press, 190p, illus, bibliog, index, 22cm, 99-054580, $14.95. Ages 13 to 15. Reviewer: Paula Rohrlick; September 2000 (Vol. 34 No. 5)

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8-A comprehensive history and guide to one of the defining movements of the 20th century. Beginning with the early days of segregation and ending with civil rights today, readers discover not only the work and speeches of the notable leaders, but also how children participated in the struggle. A balanced discussion notes tactical differences between the different groups and their actions. The text is tightly written with a strong voice that rings out in its recounting of past injustices. The ultimate message is that while the movement witnessed extraordinary accomplishments in the past 50 years, new challenges await young people of the new century; knowledge of the past is the foundation of future action. Activities include reenacting a lunch-counter sit-in, organizing a workshop on nonviolence, and holding a freedom film festival. The entire Voting Rights Act of 1965 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 are appended. Black-and-white photos from newspapers, magazines, and the National Archives and a few drawings enhance the text. Although independent students will find a wealth of information here, this enormous effort begs for sensitive, knowledgeable adults to use it as a tool in guiding young people in the study of human rights for all.-Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Blackberry Express

...a wonderfully unique installment in the recent spate of Civil Rights books for young people, this book is an important learning tool kids will enjoy.

See also: 500 5 Ingredient Desserts or Taste of Ohio History Second Edition

Mitt Romney: The Man, His Values and Vision

Author: Lisa Ray Turner

There aren't too many people who have earned simultaneous Juris Doctor and MBA degrees from Harvard. Mitt Romney is one of them. But he has always liked the toughest challenges. He first made a name for himself as the brilliant turnaround miracle worker from Bain Capital. And he's the one who turned the debt-ridden, scandal-plagued 2002 Olympics into a marvelous success. Now he is campaigning to be our next president. He is a staunch advocate of free market economics and a devoted husband and father who believes in traditional values. Can he win? Will voters give him the chance to apply his management proficiency to our federal government? Authors Lisa Ray Turner and Kimberly Field examine Mitt Romney as a man of incredible ability and driving energy. They examine his history, his policies, his alleged flip-flopping, and particularly the controversy surrounding his religion. As a team, they offer a unique perspective on this last issue: Lisa is LDS (Mormon), and Kim is an evangelical Christian. You'll find their insights fascinating.