Book Review of Claudette Colvin by Phillip Hoose

 

1.     Bibliography

Hoose, P. (2009).  Claudette Colvin: Twice toward justice. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN: 9780374313227

2.     Plot Summary

In this book we start with a lesson about the Jim Crow Laws and what they entail.  We then learn about Claudette Colvin, who was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1939.  Claudette loved school and learning, but when she lost her sister in 1952, things started to change for Claudette.  When a neighbor of Claudette’s got convicted of rape and murder and was sentenced to death in the electric chair, Claudette knew things had to change.  One day when Claudette got out of school early her and a friend rode the bus, when she refused to give up her seat to a white woman she was arrested.  Despite her standing up for black rights, Claudette was not given a lot of support from the black community and was harshly judged by adults.  At Claudette’s trial she was found guilty of all three offences and put on probation.  After her trial Claudette still wanted to help and stop segregation, and she got the chance later when she testified as a witness in another bus case.  Claudette was influential and truly wanted to make a difference in the world. 

3.     Critical analysis

Not many people have heard of Claudette Colvin, but she made a great stand and sacrifice to her community and tried to stand up for black rights.  Hoose highlights and shows how influential young teenagers can be, but they often get overlooked because of their age.  We learn about Colvin who refused to give up her seat on a bus years before Rosa Parks did but her case was overlooked because of age and pregnancy.  Hoose uses Colvin’s voice throughout the book, and you get a feel of her perspective and struggles.  This book is for young adults, and it is an easy read but still has a lot of different points of history throughout.  The photos and timelines throughout the book help readers see and experience what life was like in the 1950’s for the black community.  Young adults can relate to this book and use Colvin’s efforts in their own way to help take a stand on what they believe.  Colvin becomes a great role model for young adults and will show them that if you feel strongly about a subject you need to stand up and protect your rights. 

4.     Review Excerpts

Newberry Honor Book Award

The Robert F. Sibert Honor Book Award

National Book Award Winner 2009

“Hoose’s book, based in part on interviews with Colvin and people who knew her - finally gives her the credit she deserves.” —The New York Times Book Review 

“History might have forgotten Claudette Colvin, or relegated her to footnote status, had writer Phillip Hoose not stumbled upon her name in the course of other research and tracked her down. . . .The photos of the era are riveting and Claudette's eloquent bravery is unforgettable.” —The Wall Street Journal

5.     Connections

*I would have students compare this book on racism to another book like The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne and compare to see similarities and differences.