The black and white pictures in this book told a captivating story.

They vividly depicted the experiences of black kids attempting to attend newly integrated schools. It was a powerful and straightforward portrayal that truly brought home the harsh realities they faced.

Moreover, the pictures also showed the white kids. Some of them were genuinely angry, perhaps influenced by their parents' behavior or the prevailing social attitudes of the time.

Thanks to Toni Morrison for this poignant reminder. She has made us realize how the freedoms that African Americans enjoy today have been hard-won through tremendous battles.

Her work serves as a testament to the struggles and sacrifices of the past, and a call to continue the fight for equality and justice in the present and future.

This book serves as a remarkable collection of photographs that vividly capture the era of school integration.

On the last page, there are poignant photographs of the four girls who tragically lost their lives in the bombing of the Birmingham church on Sept. 15, 1963, a story that is also referenced in "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" by Christopher Paul Curtis.

Turning to page 66, there is an amazing picture of black and white school children saluting the American flag. It shows that in a school in Chicago, when the laws changed, there wasn't a problem with integration. This photo can be effectively used in the American Dream Unit.

Pages 45 and 46, however, present a disturbing sight of angry white housewives protesting the law changes. For some reason, these pictures have a profound impact and are quite disturbing.

Page 31 depicts black children sitting alone in a classroom as the white students protest and choose not to come to school.

Finally, on page 12, a black girl is seen playing with her white-skinned doll, which might remind one of "The Bluest Eye". This collection of photographs offers a powerful and multi-faceted look at the complex and often tumultuous era of school integration.

Toni Morrison enriches her writing by incorporating powerful photographic images from the 1950s that vividly depict the intense battle for racial equality in schools.

We see a striking juxtaposition of images where white youth are holding racist banners, while black students are brandishing banners to protest their mistreatment. This contrast makes the disparity in their motives blatantly obvious.

The author deliberately selects some extremely harsh photos that show whites attacking or harassing blacks. Moreover, she also reveals how isolated and lonely the blacks who were admitted to schools became.

In one photograph, water fountains labeled "black" and "white" are clearly visible, serving as a poignant reminder of a truly sad period in history.

This book would be an excellent resource in a civil rights unit as it presents the class with both images and descriptions that capture the essence of this racially charged era.

Heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time.

This collection of photos and captions is truly a remarkable piece. It offers a profound glimpse into who we are as individuals and as a society.

The photos capture a wide range of emotions and experiences, from the joys of love and friendship to the hardships of loss and struggle. Each caption provides context and adds depth to the image, making us feel a connection to the people and stories within.

What makes this collection so special is that it shows both the beauty and the pain of our human existence. It reminds us that we are all on a journey, striving to be better versions of ourselves.

Whether we are facing challenges or celebrating successes, these photos and captions serve as a reminder that we are not alone. They inspire us to keep going, to reach for our dreams, and to always be kind and compassionate to one another.

In a world that can often seem cold and divided, this collection of photos and captions is a ray of hope. It shows us that despite our differences, we are all connected by our shared humanity.

It is a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, and a reminder that there is always beauty and goodness to be found, even in the darkest of times.

Remember: The Journey to School Integration by Toni Morrison was illustrated in a distinct way compared to most of the other books I have read for this project. It was illustrated with photographs!

This choice by the author was truly remarkable. I have a profound love for the fact that real photographs from the era of segregation were used to narrate the story. The photographs had an incredible impact, making the story feel incredibly real, as if I was transported back in time and actually present in those situations.

Illustrated books generally do a great job of depicting details and setting the mood for the narrative. However, photos tell an entirely different and more powerful story. They allow us to see the actual appearance of people from that bygone era, which was truly amazing. This book, with its unique use of photographs, left a lasting impression on me, and I really loved it.

This was an absolutely incredible book.

It had such a profound impact on me that I will most definitely use it when teaching To Kill a Mockingbird (TKAM).

As I was reading, I literally got goosebumps.

The way the story was told, the characters were developed, and the themes were explored was truly remarkable.

Moreover, it would work even better if paired with Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry for middle school or elementary students.

This combination would provide a rich and engaging literary experience for the students, allowing them to explore different aspects of race, justice, and family.

Both books offer valuable lessons and insights that can help students develop empathy, critical thinking skills, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

I highly recommend this book and this pairing to any educator looking to enhance their students' literary education.

Randomly picking a book from the children's section, I thought it would be an appropriate way to acknowledge Black History Month (February).

The book features stirring photos, first-person narratives, and occasional historical explanations that bring the United States' journey to integrated schools to life.

I was particularly drawn to the photo notes at the end. For instance, a seemingly generic, artistic shot of a child in a white hood and robe took on enhanced meaning when I read the commentary that, at the time of the photo, he was watching a cross burning in protest of integrated schools.

It's a stark reminder that racism isn't a thing of the past, but it also feels great to reflect on how far the general American culture has advanced in the past few decades.

This book serves as an important educational tool, teaching children about a significant period in American history and the ongoing struggle for equality.

This would be an excellent book for middle school students who are delving into the topics of segregation and the disparities between races and cultures.

The book is adorned with very thought-provoking pictures. These pictures neatly align with the thoughts and feelings that the reader encounters.

I am of the opinion that some of the thoughts being depicted or the feelings the author endeavors to objectify in the pictures might be a bit advanced for the age group.

In the index of the book, I think it would be highly beneficial to list even more minutiae about each picture and story.

The picture of the kid in a KKK outfit can be employed to delineate how a great deal of the hatred and racism was imparted and influenced by the older generations and also imprinted upon the youth of that era.

On pages 19 - 20, they discuss Brown v. Board, which is of EXTREME importance for comprehending the struggle between the constitution and public opinion.

Even though this appears to be a book targeted at younger students, the role of the teacher in instructing the kids on the meanings of crucial vocabulary words of the era would be of high significance.

I would utilize this book to impart the fundamental concepts of desegregation as well as the meanings of popular terms and vocabulary of that specific time period.

Morrison presents this significant period in our history in an original and engaging way.

She employs photographs to vividly depict what was transpiring during the era of school integration. These images are truly powerful! The emotions of that time are clearly evident in these photographs, which tell their own unique stories.

For instance, there is a photograph of a approximately seven-year-old boy wearing a Ku Klux Klan outfit. That single picture speaks volumes. It evokes a complex mix of anger, sadness, and disgust within me simultaneously. No words are necessary to convey its impact.

Overall, this book effectively raises awareness among readers without being overly didactic. The story is narrated in the first person, making the reader feel more closely connected to the events. The images created by the author are strong and enduring.

As a teacher, I would integrate this book into a unit on civil rights. It vividly illustrates the happenings during the time of school integration and would assist students in understanding this crucial period in history.

I might divide them into small groups and provide each group with a few photographs from the book. Then, I would ask them to discuss the meaning behind each photograph and how it made them feel. Subsequently, as a class, we could read the book and determine if their ideas about the photographs corresponded to the real story behind them.

I believe that middle school and high school students would benefit greatly from this activity. They would witness the power of an image and the value of capturing an image in a photograph. An extension of this activity could be to have students create their own photographic stories, which could then be shared in class.

Why is there a specific month dedicated to rediscovering the bad past of black people in the United States? Instead of just having a single month, why can't we make an effort to continuously learn and educate kids about this throughout their lives? After all, schools don't seem to do a very good job of effectively implementing Black History Month. I know this from my own experience of going to public school. I can only remember Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. They are two great pioneers, but surely there are many more people who deserve to be remembered and honored as well. There are so many questions, but unfortunately, there are no clear and definite answers.

So, I decided to have my 10-year-old read this and come to me with any questions. The first question my child asked was, "Why is there a kid wearing a white pointy Halloween costume?" This led me to explain the terrible history of the KKK and the word lynching. I am always brutally honest with my kids, but in an age-appropriate way. I feel that it makes them realize that there are many things wrong with this world, and we should strive to be good every day. However, being good is not easy, while being bad is all too easy.

This was a good introduction to school integration and history. It also contains a lot of kindness, showing how blacks and whites fought together to end segregation.

The pictures in the book are great, and many of them have explanations at the back of the book, which helps to further enhance the understanding of the content.

The pictures truly tell the entire story. They are so powerful and evocative that they leave no doubt in the viewer's mind.

It is no wonder that this work is well deserving of the Coretta Scott King Award. This award is highly regarded and recognizes outstanding contributions in the field of literature and art that celebrate the African American experience.

The pictures in question must have captured the essence and spirit of this experience in a profound and meaningful way. They likely展现了 the struggles, joys, and triumphs of the African American community with great authenticity and sensitivity.

Receiving the Coretta Scott King Award is a significant achievement, and it serves as a testament to the quality and importance of this work. It will surely inspire others and have a lasting impact on the world of art and literature.

Informational Book

This is an extremely interesting picture book.

It vividly depicts the desegregation of public schools from the perspective of black children.

The story unfolds in a way that allows young readers to truly understand the significance and challenges of this historical event.

I firmly believe that this would be an outstanding book to read to lower grades.

By introducing this topic through such a engaging and accessible medium, children can gain a better understanding of the struggles and achievements of the civil rights movement.

It helps them develop empathy and respect for different cultures and backgrounds.

Moreover, the beautiful illustrations in the book add to its appeal and make it even more captivating for young minds.

Overall, this informational book is a valuable resource for teaching children about an important aspect of American history.