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She Would Not Be Moved

Publication Information

Author: Kohl, Herbert

Illustrator:

Title: She Would Not Be Moved

Date: 2005

Publisher: The New Press

City: New York

ISBN, paperback:

ISBN, hardback: 9781595581273

Recommended audience:

ABE/ABLE: Yes

ESOL:

Family:

Young Adult: Yes

Picture:

General Information:

Book Type(s): biography and autobiography, reference, nonfiction

HSE Descriptor(s): social studies

Summary:

Kohl tells the historically correct version of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Rosa Park's role in it. This revised biography of Rosa Parks stresses her activist background and the violent environment of racism to counter the prevailing picture of her as a "poor, tired black woman" on her way home from work who was thrust onto the historic stage. The events and people responsible for the bus boycott are described in detail.

Teaching Ideas:

This book should be included in a text set on Civil Right but especially paired with Russell Freedman's Freedom Walkers, which describes the Montgomery bus boycott in detail. Although seemingly written for teachers, adult students will find the process of revising history an interesting project. Section 3 about the friendship among Virginia Durr, Rosa Parks, and Septima Clark is the most interesting reading. Obvious questions for discussion and writing are: Why did the simplified story of Rosa Parks as a poor, tired black woman rather than an educated seamstress and NAACP activist get disseminated? Why do many accounts of Civil Rights events downplay the nastiness of racism and the real threats toward activists? Readers can use the included reference information to evaluate books on Rosa Parks and explore racism. They also may brainstorm other historical figures or events and research if their stories have been told inaccurately.

Teaching Strategies: