Summary: This story is firmly rooted in the historical civil rights movement. It vividly depicts the arduous journey of African-American students towards school integration.

Characteristics That Support the Genre: The book serves as a valuable informant about the historical era of the 1950s and 1960s. During this time, racial tension was at its peak, and the process of integrating black and white children in schools was just beginning.

Mentor Writing Traits:
Idea - This book delves deep into the suggested thoughts and emotions of African-American children regarding the elimination of racial laws, especially their integration into all-white schools.
Organization - The text is presented in a clear, simple, and chronological order. This helps the reader effortlessly follow the historical events unfolding in the story.
Presentation - The illustrations in this book are truly remarkable. They are dramatic, sepia print, mostly full-page archival photographs. These photographs bring to life the intense emotions of the children's experiences during the civil rights movement. Towards the end of the story, captions are provided to offer more in-depth information about the details behind the pictures.

Classroom Integration: This book can be utilized in various ways in the upper elementary classroom. It can be read aloud or used as a small group activity for multiple purposes. For instance, students can analyze the text and/or photographs to uncover the meaning hidden within them. I would encourage students to select a picture from the book and pen a story about what they envision is happening in the photograph.

Other Suggestions: I highly recommend this book as an insightful means of portraying the struggle for equality. Students can draw on the text and photographs to gain a profound understanding of fear, sadness, and ultimately, triumph.

Book Level: 5.0, Middle Grades

Toni Morrison's Remember: The Journey to School Integration is an outstanding account that vividly describes the events that brought an end to segregation in American schools and paved the way for greater equality in all aspects of life for African Americans.

I firmly believe that, in addition to the powerful photographs, the first-person narration is another remarkable feature of the book that holds great appeal for young elementary school readers. As an aspiring teacher, I am truly excited about the prospect of incorporating this text into my classroom. This literary work has educational value for readers of all levels, thanks to the engaging prologue at the beginning, the captivating photographs, and the detailed information provided about each photo at the end of the story.

Moreover, with the supplementary historical details presented at the start and conclusion of the book, this story can be seamlessly integrated into a social studies lesson. I envision conducting a thought-provoking discussion seminar based on one of the photos in the book. This could be done before introducing the social studies lessons or the book to the class and then revisiting it after the students have read the book within the lesson. I anticipate that students will be astonished by the amount of information that can be conveyed through photographs and yet, at the same time, how easily they can be misinterpreted.

For older grade levels, this photo analysis can serve as a springboard for a deeper discussion about the factual history of racism, segregation, and equality in America's past, as compared to what is typically presented in most educational texts. For younger elementary school students, this pre- and post-reading photo analysis can shed light on aspects of history that they have never before encountered. Additionally, this book is beneficial for all grade levels in elementary school as it provides an opportunity to discuss how desegregation has contributed to America's progress over time. This can be achieved by introducing African American (or other minority) figures who would not have been able to make significant contributions to America or the world without access to education, and by highlighting important collaborations between white and minority figures that would have been impossible without desegregation.

I consider it of utmost importance that this book was written from the perspective of a child who experienced the desegregation process firsthand. It enables each student to gain a more profound understanding of what it feels like to be deprived of basic rights based on their physical appearance. I firmly believe that this is a crucial perspective from which to teach our students to view their place in the world. If we can instill in our students the values of equality, the reasons why we should treat each other equally, and the significance of doing so, then as educators, we can foster greater peace and a sense of community within human relationships.

Naomi and I read this aloud as an expansion of a lesson about Ruby Bridges.

The title was indeed quite informative. Naomi was profoundly moved by the photographs and Toni Morrison's masterful text.

She then asked if Toni Morrison had written more non-fiction, "learning" books for kids. I informed her that Toni Morrison is an outstanding author and most probably, there are more such "learning books for kids" available at the library.

"Remember: The Journey to School Integration" is a book that managed to capture a child's imagination and heart. This is particularly evident when she expresses her desire to read more from the author.

I am truly grateful to Toni Morrison for kindling a "spark" within Naomi. :)

Powerful photographs and text have the ability to deeply impact our thoughts and emotions.

They can make us reflect on various aspects of society, such as acceptance and equality.

Looking at these images, we are reminded of the challenges that people have faced in the past in their pursuit of a more inclusive and equal world.

Hopefully, since these photos were taken, we have made significant progress in promoting acceptance and equality.

However, we must also recognize that there is still much work to be done.

We need to continue to strive for a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic.

By raising awareness and having important conversations, we can move closer to achieving this goal and creating a more just and harmonious world for all.

Toni Morrison’s Remember: The Journey to School Integration is a remarkable book tailored for children aged nine to twelve. It rightfully won the 2005 Coretta Scott King Award.

Morrison draws on her profound knowledge of the events related to school integration and conducts in-depth research on the photographs used. This enables her to construct her own theories about those events, which in turn helps her create a historically based narrative. Through this, she effectively conveys the intense emotions associated with the events depicted in the pictures.

Although Morrison doesn't cite specific research that led to the writing of this book, she does share details about her inspiration. Each section is introduced with historical-sounding information, followed by pictures and a narrative that delves into a more personal perspective and moment. This approach draws the reader into the emotions of the journey. In the back of the book, there is a small thumbnail of every photograph, accompanied by the place, date, and a brief description. This implies that she carefully examined the history of each picture before writing the accompanying narrative.

The organization of the book is well-structured, separating sections of information (presented in black and white text) from theory (pictures with narrative text). The information is presented clearly and simply, and its accuracy is enhanced by the presentation. The organization is extremely effective, doing a fantastic job of grouping narratives.

I believe the narrative format is purposefully designed to respect the readers’ ability to empathize with the thoughts, fears, and concerns of other children. The information is presented clearly for children, without being overly simplified. Morrison, a wonderful writer, has created a text that is as powerful and beautiful as the pictures it accompanies. She uses phrasing and word choice that deeply appeals to the reader’s emotion.

The entire book is beautifully crafted. The images and text are well-balanced, and the typography uses color and style to effectively deliver Morrison’s messages. The use of three colors throughout the book creates a great sense of unity, despite the changing narrative.

Photographs from school integration offer a powerful visual narrative, and this collection is enhanced by the insightful narration provided by Toni Morrison.

Each photograph in the book tells a story of a significant moment in the history of school integration. The back of the book carefully identifies the context for each photo, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the events and the people involved.

Toni Morrison's narration adds an extra layer of meaning to the photographs. Her words bring to life the emotions, struggles, and triumphs of those who were part of the school integration process.

As we flip through the pages of this book, we are transported back in time to a period of great change and progress. The photographs and narration work together to create a vivid and engaging account of a crucial chapter in American history.

This book is not only a valuable resource for those interested in the history of school integration but also a beautiful and thought-provoking work of art.

I firmly believe that Toni Morrison is an outstanding storyteller. In this remarkable picture book, she has vividly demonstrated that her extraordinary ability to craft captivating stories is not confined to the realm of fiction alone. Here, Morrison has ingeniously utilized a series of photographs to artfully present a historical time-line that chronicles the United States' arduous journey through school integration.

I had the pleasure of reading this book during "Black History" month. It struck me as an exceptionally great book, suitable not only for children but also for adults, as it offers a valuable opportunity to learn about this significant aspect of American history. Moreover, it makes for a wonderful coffee table book, adding a touch of educational charm and historical depth to any living space.

Bravery at its best is a quality that truly stands out. It is the ability to face fear, danger, or adversity with unwavering courage and determination.

Those who exhibit bravery at its best are not afraid to step out of their comfort zones and take risks. They are willing to stand up for what they believe in, even in the face of great opposition.

Bravery at its best can be seen in many different situations. It could be a firefighter rushing into a burning building to save lives, a soldier fighting on the front lines to protect his country, or a person speaking out against injustice.

No matter the circumstances, bravery at its best is an inspiring and admirable trait. It shows that even in the darkest of times, there are those who are willing to shine a light and make a difference.

We should all strive to be brave at our best, to face our fears and overcome obstacles with courage and grace. By doing so, we can make the world a better place for ourselves and for those around us.

I absolutely adored the pictures in this remarkable book.

Every single element within the book seemed to complement one another in the most harmonious way.

The Children's Lit review has rightfully praised it for its good and touching photos.

It presents a difficult part of history in a kind and objective manner.

The photos have the power to bring the story to life even more vividly because they are real.

Winning the Coretta Scott King Author Award is a testament to the book's excellence.

It not only educates children about a significant historical period but also does so in a way that engages their emotions and curiosity.

The combination of beautiful photos and a well-told story makes this book a must-read for children and adults alike.

It serves as a valuable reminder of the past and encourages us to learn from history and strive for a better future.

This was an absolutely wonderful book.

It was truly a remarkable piece of literature that captivated my attention from the very beginning.

The real pictures inside the book were both powerful and poignant. They vividly depicted the transformation of hate into love, which was a truly inspiring and heartwarming journey.

Moreover, the book also gave an honest and unfiltered perspective of what actually happened as schools were integrated.

It didn't shy away from the challenges, the conflicts, and the difficulties that arose during that time. Instead, it presented a raw and真实的 account of the events, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and the social issues at play.

Overall, this book was not only a great read but also a valuable educational resource that offered insights into a significant period in our history.

This remarkable book takes the reader on a journey down the hallway of history, transporting them back to the era of school integration.

It is an absolute must to be included in any upper-elementary American History unit. The reason is simple: it provides a vivid photographic account that showcases not only what the civil rights movement looked like but also how it felt for both black and white Americans.

The images and the accompanying text are truly inspirational, captivating the reader's attention from the very first page. They offer a unique perspective on a crucial period in American history, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the struggles and triumphs of the civil rights movement.

As we turn the pages of this book, our journey continues, and we are reminded of the importance of equality, justice, and freedom for all.

Unlike most children's books, the illustrations in this book are all photographs.

The black and white aspect of the photographs vividly suggests the time period from which they originated.

The subjects of the photos are extremely powerful, clearly showing the level of prejudice that prevailed during that era.

The book follows a young girl through her segregated experiences. The girl in this book is innocent to the point of almost being arrogant.

The photographs are very impactful on their own. However, with the addition of the girl's narrative, they become even more powerful. As the girl's innocence is surrounded by these racist photographs, it begs the question, "Why are people racist?"

This combination of powerful visuals and the girl's perspective makes the book a truly unique and thought-provoking read for children and adults alike. It forces us to confront the harsh realities of the past and encourages us to strive for a more inclusive and equal future.