Toni Morrison's "Remember: The Journey to School Immigration" is a remarkable book that combines powerful photographs and poignant quotes.

It vividly chronicles the desegregation of public schools in the 1950s. The carefully selected photos are not only vivid but also brutally honest, capturing the intense anger of southern whites, the courageous expressions of African American students, and the beautiful friendships that eventually emerged among the children.

I highly recommend using this book in a 5th - 8th grade classroom. Explaining a time when equality was not the norm can be extremely challenging for children. It is difficult for them to imagine a world where laws enforced separate entrances, water fountains, and schools for whites and blacks. Morrison's book provides an excellent starting point for such conversations.

Reading this book aloud in small groups is also a great idea as it allows students to closely examine the photographs.

One of the most engaging aspects of this book is that the quotes are presented from a child's perspective. This helps students truly empathize with the first African American children who entered the previously all-white schools. For example, the quote "They are trying to scare me. I guess they don't have any children of their own. But didn't grownups used to be little kids who knew how it felt to be scared?" (45) powerfully illustrates the daily challenges these children faced as they walked to school while being screamed at by adults.

In my classroom, I would have students make inferences based on the pictures. What emotions might the students (both black and white) be experiencing? How about their parents and teachers? I believe this would open up a rich dialogue that would uncover some of the sentiments felt by those living during the Civil Rights Movement.

The back of the book is equally valuable, featuring a Civil Rights timeline and captions for each picture. Additionally, it won the 2005 Coretta Scott King award for best author, a testament to its accurate portrayal of African American culture and its embodiment of the ideals that Dr. Martin Luther King fought for.

Overall, Toni Morrison's "Remember: The Journey to School Immigration" is an essential resource for teaching about a crucial period in American history.

This remarkable book

presents a collection of truly beautiful black and white pictures.

These pictures serve as a powerful testament to a rather ugly time in America's history.

They offer a unique perspective, allowing readers to visually witness the events and emotions that unfolded during that era.

The contrast between the beauty of the images and the ugliness of the historical context creates a profound impact.

It forces us to confront the harsh realities and reflect on the lessons that can be learned.

Through these pictures, we can gain a deeper understanding of the past and appreciate the importance of moving forward in a more just and inclusive way.

This book is not only a visual delight but also a valuable educational resource that helps us to remember and honor the experiences of those who came before us.

A stunning collection of photos has emerged, powerfully reinforcing the age-old adage that pictures are truly worth a thousand words.

These images not only capture moments but also serve as a poignant reminder of how our thoughts and actions have a profound and far-reaching impact on our children, for both good and bad.

Toni Morrison's contribution of her words to accompany the photos, which strive to reveal the children's innermost thoughts, is truly insightful. Her words add an extra layer of depth and understanding to the already moving visuals.

The treatment of these fellow humans, especially the children, was despicable and particularly egregious. It is a stark reminder of the cruelty and injustice that can exist in the world.

In addition to this collection, I highly suggest reading "Warriors Don't Cry" by Melba Beals Patillo. She was one of the Little Rock students who endured abuse that is almost unimaginable. Her story is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of great adversity.

Toni Morrison, in her remarkable manner, utilizes actual photos to transport the reader beyond the classroom walls. There, children face heckling and cruel taunts as they attempt to attend public school. With successive photos, the author then leads us into the classroom itself, where the predominant emotions are fear and anticipation.

In 1954, the United States Supreme Court made a momentous decision, declaring that the segregation of schools was unconstitutional. This was truly a challenging period of transformation.

It was difficult for the white students to come to terms with this change, and it was极其 difficult for the black students to take that enormous step in trying to belong and claim what was rightfully theirs. That is, a chance to learn in an environment where the rooms were warm in the winter, the books were new, and, most significantly, to have quality teachers. The struggle for equality in education was a long and arduous one, and Toni Morrison's use of photos helps us to better understand the complex emotions and experiences of that era.

Remember by Toni Morrison is an engaging account that delves into the journey of school integration.

Morrison enriches the narrative with numerous archival photographs and vividly depicts the possible dialogues within these powerful images. By imagining the thoughts and feelings of those in the pictures, she crafts a compelling story.

The book vividly portrays the inequalities inherent in the concept of “Separate but equal” and then showcases the impact of Brown v. Board of Education. It reveals how unjustly people were treated based on the color of their skin, not only before but also after the ruling.

Specifically, it focuses on the inequalities within the classroom, while also shedding light on segregated restaurants, water fountains, movie theatres, and public transportation. However, many black citizens and white supporters courageously joined the movement to demand civil rights and equality.

The book concludes with a touching picture of an African American and white student holding hands on a bus, accompanied by the caption, “Anything can happen. Anything at all. See?” This inspiring ending leaves the reader filled with hope for the future.

I envision using this book as a read aloud for my 3rd or 4th grade class. Although the text may pose some challenges, I believe it is highly meaningful for discussions. We can explore the meanings of the pictures, the author's use of narrative, and how we can educate ourselves about past inequalities and continue to advocate for equality.

Moreover, it provides an excellent opportunity to teach inferring skills. We can ask questions like, “Which girl is the thinker? Why does she feel this way?” Students can also infer the meaning of the pictures without the attached stories, drawing on their knowledge of the events and the possible emotions of the people in the pictures.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it to others. It is a great tool for sparking students' interest and engagement in history.

A very moving book indeed. It is truly remarkable how this story can touch the hearts of readers. If one didn't have the actual black and white pictures right there in front of them, it would be almost impossible to believe that such events occurred just over fifty years ago. The vivid illustrations bring the story to life and make it even more impactful. What's interesting is that although it is presented as a children's book, its charm and significance can be fully appreciated by people of all ages. It has a universal appeal that transcends generations. Whether you are young or old, this book has the power to make you think, feel, and perhaps even gain a new perspective on life. It is a literary gem that should not be missed.

4.5 stars

I borrowed this book from the library for my child to read. However, I also wanted to read it myself because of Toni Morrison.

The book mainly consists of photos. In some cases, the photos are rather scary, while in others, they are amazing.

The combination of the photos and Toni Morrison's text helps to give a more vivid and visceral understanding of the facts. It makes the content come alive and allows the readers to truly connect with it on a deeper level.

Overall, it is a very interesting and engaging book that I would highly recommend to both children and adults. It not only provides valuable information but also offers a unique and powerful reading experience.

SIX WORD REVIEW: Saving this for my unborn child.

This simple six-word review holds a world of meaning. It implies that the thing being reviewed is of such great value or significance that the person is setting it aside with anticipation for their future child.

Perhaps it's a precious book filled with wisdom and inspiration, a beautiful piece of art that can spark creativity, or a collection of family memories that will connect the child to their roots.

The act of saving it shows a sense of responsibility and love. The person is thinking ahead and wants to ensure that their unborn child has access to something special.

It also creates a sense of anticipation and excitement. As the person saves this item, they may be imagining the day when they can share it with their child, watch their eyes light up with wonder, and see the impact it has on their life.

In a way, this six-word review is a promise, a promise to pass on something wonderful to the next generation.

In this truly amazing book, the renowned author Toni Morrison employs actual photographs from the 1950s. These photographs serve as a vivid chronicle of the evolution of school integration in the United States.

Through her engaging narrative, Morrison crafts a fictionalized account of the children and adults who are featured in the photos. By doing so, she breathes life into these static images and produces an incredibly captivating work of historical fiction.

The book concludes with detailed captions and descriptions of the included photographs. This provides the reader with valuable insights into some of the events, emotions, and circumstances that defined this tumultuous era in American history.

This remarkable book has a lasting impact and will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. Intended for students in Grades 4 and up, it can be utilized in various educational contexts. It can be used in studies of civil rights, in discussions of educational equity and social justice. It also makes a powerful text for a Socratic or Paideia seminar, or an incredible mentor text in a Writing Workshop. Morrison has truly created an innovative text through her masterful blend of photography and narrative.

As one version of the George Santayana saying goes, "those who do not read history are doomed to repeat it." Morrison offers readers a moving account of an era in United States history that, unfortunately, seems to be too often repeated and re-lived in the present day.

The book, Remember the Journey to School Integration, is a captivating nonfiction text designed specifically for students in grades 3-5.

It endeavors to vividly narrate the arduous struggle to integrate the public school system in the United States. Through a combination of vivid images, descriptive words, detailed stories, and diverse points of view, it brings this important historical period to life.

From the very first few sentences, this book had a profound impact on me. It states, “This book is about you. Even though the main event in this story took place many years ago, what happened before it and after it is now part of all of our lives.” These words are incredibly powerful as they set the stage for the reader to form a connection with the people, stories, and events that occurred during that era in history and understand how they have influenced our educational experience today.

In a 3-5 classroom, I would utilize this book to integrate social studies with literacy. Given the limited time available for social studies in school, this is of utmost importance. I would read the book aloud to the students and then have them create a timeline of the events that unfolded throughout the book using the digital resource, Timetoast!.

Moreover, I would also use this book to integrate reading and writing. After the students have read Remember the Journey to School Integration, I would assign them to write a few paragraphs about what it would have been like to be a student during the fight for school integration. I would encourage them to engage their five senses and draw evidence from the text when crafting their pieces. This would not only enhance their understanding of the book but also develop their writing skills.

This is yet another novel that throws the spotlight on schools and segregation.

It serves as a crucial instrument for children to comprehend what our history was like. The book also emphasizes significant movements in our history. For instance, it highlights Brown v. Board of Education. Students ought to be cognizant of these changes that took place.

The story tracks the fictional accounts and emotions of the children who lived during that era. It's a narrative that vividly showcases how American history within our school systems has transformed dramatically.

One way to implement this in schools could be to have a separation in the classroom based on the color of the students' shirts. If students are wearing white, they must sit on one side of the classroom, and if they have color on their shirts, they have to sit on the other side and are not allowed to speak to each other. This would vividly demonstrate the absurdity of civil rights issues and how things have changed.

At the end of the lesson, students should be allowed to express their opinions about the event. Throughout the lesson, the teacher should treat the students with colored shirts better than those wearing only white. This way, it shows that the teacher is making judgments solely based on what the student wore that day. Just think about how powerful that could be?

Coretta Scott King Award

Toni Morrison is a highly accomplished and influential author. She won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for her remarkable novel, Beloved. Notably, she was the first black woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. Currently, she is teaching at Princeton University. Her work 'Remember' is her first historical piece targeted at young people.

Each page of the book features a black-and-white photo of captivating images, such as those from 'the narrow path', 'open gate' leading towards the 'wide road'. Morrison has dedicated this book to four children who tragically lost their lives in the racist bombing of their Birmingham church.

The book is written in a unique, child-like voice, which adds to its charm and appeal. The photograph of Rosa Parks staring out the window has a profound impact on the reader. It feels as if for a brief moment, her spirit enters within us, leaving a lasting impression. Morrison's work continues to inspire and educate, making a significant contribution to the literary world.