Morrison, Toni. Remember: The Journey to School Integration. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2004. Print. Remember: Ages 12+

The Journey To Integration is an outstanding book that delves deep into the backgrounds of the journey to integration.

Right from the moment I picked up this book, it immediately reminded me of the great Martin Luther King Jr. I firmly believe that it is an extremely good book.

Children nowadays need to have a clear understanding of what life was like a long time ago when blacks and whites were not treated equally.

This book is cleverly separated into different categories. It explores what the situation was like in history, how it gradually changed over time, and what it is like in the present day.

I truly have a great affection for this book because it vividly shows me how grateful and how fortunate I am to be able to live in this country.

Most of the time, people here are treated equally, and this is indeed the way it should be.

It serves as a powerful reminder of the progress that has been made and the importance of continuing to strive for equality for all.

This book is a remarkable winner of the Coretta Scott King Award.

It offers a vivid and detailed portrayal through its pictures and descriptions of the era when African-Americans were integrating into schools.

The images and words within its pages bring to life the challenges, the hopes, and the changes that were taking place during that significant time in history.

It serves as an excellent resource for not only looking at the past but also for engaging in deep thinking about the importance of equality, justice, and acceptance.

Whether you are a student learning about this period or an adult interested in exploring the history of civil rights, this book is sure to capture your attention and leave you with a greater understanding and appreciation of the struggles and achievements of African-Americans during school integration.

Everyone must read this book.

If you read it, you will surely feel the need to own your own copy.

I usually take a day to read it aloud to each of my classes in middle school.

The students are left speechless.

There is a remarkable clarity in the real pictures presented in the book, which cannot be surpassed by any other form of media.

The vivid images seem to come alive and tell a story that engages the readers on a deeper level.

It is not just a book, but an experience that leaves a lasting impression.

Whether you are a student, a teacher, or simply someone who loves to read, this book is a must-have.

It will open your eyes to a new world of imagination and understanding.

So, don't hesitate. Grab a copy and start reading today!

I purchased this item without seeing it in person. The intention was to diversify the collection of our book club. However, it turned out not to be a very good choice. This is because it is more suitable as a readaloud book rather than for independent or small group reading. Despite this drawback, it does possess a powerful collection of pictures.

The pictures in this book have the ability to convey emotions and stories in a unique way. They can capture the attention of the readers and draw them into the narrative.

While it may not be the ideal choice for our book club's intended reading format, it could still have value in other settings. For example, it might be great for a classroom readaloud or for a family to enjoy together.

Overall, although it didn't meet our initial expectations, it is important to recognize the strengths that this book does have. The powerful pictures can enhance the reading experience and make it a worthwhile addition to certain collections.

This is an outstanding book, whose images and words may haunt you, as they do me.

"Remember: The Journey To School Integration" is a beautiful oversize book of sepia toned photographs. It covers the period of American history between the 1950s and 1960s, focusing on the racial tensions of that time. It would be straight photojournalism, except for one thing. The text is by Toni Morrison, the first black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction with "Beloved" in 1988. She brings her unique perceptive commentary to these fifty photographs.

Toni Morrison's writings are numerous and highly acclaimed. Besides writing novels, she also works as an editor and professor. She won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993, one of only twelve Americans to do so in this category.

In 2004, Toni Morrison wrote this, her first nonfiction book for young people. It was published on the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking "Brown v. Board of Education Trial" Supreme Court decision to end legal school segregation. The photographs are incredibly powerful. As one review said at the time, "The photos are electrifying. Beautifully reproduced in sepia prints, the archival images humanize the politics of the civil rights movement." And this is what we see at first glance. Only then do we read Toni Morrison's insightful commentary.

The photographs are each a snapshot in time. They have an immediacy that Toni Morrison also captures. Skillfully and poignantly, she imagines the possible inner thoughts of those portrayed. I am English, so how can I relate personally to these events? Yet I do, thanks to Toni Morrison's truthful gaze. I was at school during this time, and the images I see here fill me with emotion. Britain too has a shameful past in various aspects related to nationality, but this is not one of them. My experience of schools as a pupil in the 1950s and 1960s, and as a teacher in the 1970s and beyond, was thankfully nothing like this. To me, it is almost unimaginable that another English-speaking country, one which shared a culture in many ways, could have such different social attitudes. But the camera does not lie. The inner confusion she suggests also rings true, and makes me ashamed to be a member of the human race, regardless of country.

The book begins with three pages of text giving an overview of the American Civil Rights struggle, bordered by details from the photos that are to come. At the end, there is a page listing the key events by date, followed by an appendix with thumbnail versions of each of the images, along with accompanying dates and locations, as well as factual information. My only difficulty with the book is the tiny size of the print used for the introduction and appendix, which is unnecessarily small and more akin to that found in a gazetteer. But it does not take even one point away from those five stars. The main body of the book is a photographic record, usually one blown-up photograph per page. There is very little commentary, in a good size print. What is written is to the point and incredibly moving.

The book is divided into three parts, corresponding to the main progression of the Civil Rights movement. Each section begins with Toni Morrison's short information paragraph, providing a context for the following pictures.

The first section, "The Narrow Path," shows black children in segregated schools, as mandated by law in 1896 to be "separate but equal." We gradually learn through these photographs how far from the ideal this had become. This is a typical school for black children.

The second section, "The Open Gate," deals with America's attempts at school integration. When the ruling of "Brown vs. Board of Education" was made, many people resisted. The first picture is from the "New York Times'" front page, announcing "High Court Bans School Segregation." On the facing page is a photo of the Supreme Court, all elderly, white men.

The third section, "The Wide Road," still contains many upsetting images, but there is an increasingly hopeful note with Martin Luther King's appearance. We see acts of both black protest and white counter-protest, but also more images of black and white children playing together and sharing in the American experience.

This is an extraordinary achievement by Toni Morrison. Photojournalism is not new, but what she has created here is, I think, ground-breaking. The final page is dedicated to the memory of four little girls killed in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. This book is by turns devastating, heartbreaking, and shameful, but also shows people who are courageous, determined, steadfast, hopeful, and ultimately inspiring. It is simply unforgettable.

This is a remarkable photographic history that vividly showcases the experiences of Black and white children regarding school integration. It covers the periods before, during, and after the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision that rightfully declared school segregation unconstitutional.

Although it is a children's book, its impact is truly inspirational for everyone. The power of the photographs cannot be overstated. It is truly astonishing to be able to look into the eyes of these children and witness both the fear and the glimmer of hope within them.

Notably, when one gazes at the nine members of the Supreme Court who unanimously ruled 9-0 in the Brown vs Board of Education decision, all one sees are nine old, white, male faces staring back.

Morrison beautifully gives voice to the children in the pictures. She writes, “Walking through a crowd of people who hate what we are--not what we do--can make us hate them back for what they are and what they do. A lot of courage and determination are needed not to. We try …”

In her introduction, Morrison states, “This book is about you. Even though the main event in the story took place many years ago, what happened before it and after it is now part of all of our lives.” She further elaborates that the book will “take you on a journey through a time in American life when there was as much hate as there was love; as much anger as there was hope; as many heroes as cowards.”

Currently, we are living through a similar era of hate and divisiveness in America. This book serves as a valuable reminder, helping us to see that “As with any journey, there is often a narrow path to walk before you can see the wide road ahead.”

The award-winning author, Toni Morrison, has once again exceeded expectations with this highly vivid picture book.

Morrison employs real-life photographs from events both before and after the 1954 Supreme Court ruling on Brown v. Board of Education. By imagining herself in the shoes of the people in the images, she helps to create and tell the story.

Through this historical fiction text, readers can envision what it was like during this intense and emotional era. The book concludes with captions that specify the setting and the date the photographs were taken. The captions also provide an explanation of the significance behind the photographs.

I recommend this book for Grades 4 and up. It would be an excellent read-aloud when studying or teaching about historical events in the 1950s, particularly those related to segregation and the Jim Crow Laws. The book also showcases pictures from the Civil Rights Movement, which can spark great discussions about social justice and equity.

Since this book is filled with numerous pictures depicting real-life situations, it would be a good idea to go through each picture at the end of the story. The pictures truly bring this book to life.

I truly enjoyed this book because it encourages readers to remember. Remember a time that transformed education.

“Because remembering is the mind’s first step toward understanding” - Toni Morrison.

I truly adored this book due to its incorporation of real life photos. As a reader, I have always held a deep appreciation for this aspect. It harks back to my childhood days when I eagerly anticipated such visuals. However, what I cherish the most about this book is the fictional manner in which it narrates a significant portion of our nation's history.

I firmly believe that it is of utmost importance to envision the conversations that might have taken place within the classrooms during that era. This enables students to gain a genuine understanding of the world they inhabit.

I would include this book within my civil rights text set, as it serves as yet another window into the lives of children who endured segregation and the arduous battle for integration. I would assign students a class project of devising a completely inclusive school. We could then engage in discussions about the ways in which we would ensure that everyone felt warmly welcomed at this new school. Subsequently, we would make certain to replicate these behaviors within our own classroom.

4.5 stars. This work is truly beautiful. The language used is so vivid and engaging that it immediately draws the reader in. It is not just a simple piece of writing; it is a work of art that captivates the senses.

Insightful as it is, it offers deep and profound perspectives on various aspects of life. It makes the reader think and reflect, opening up new avenues of understanding. The ideas presented are original and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression.

Most importantly, this work holds great significance. It touches on important themes and issues that are relevant to our society today. It has the power to inspire change and make a difference. In my book, it checks off all the right marks. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates good literature and wants to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.

1st - 5th Grade (Read Aloud/Independent Reading).

The pictures carefully chosen to narrate this exquisitely written story about the Civil Rights Movement vividly bring this historical event to the eyes of young children. Many pages are dominated solely by pictures. The pages with words typically have one to ten sentences, and also feature one or two large, black and white pictures. I firmly believe that the author, Toni Morrison, made this deliberate choice to allow the sometimes disturbing pictures to tell the story on their own. Morrison has incorporated key events from the Civil Rights and school integration history, along with references and notes for each photo and some text at the back of this book. I am convinced that this book serves as an outstanding tool to be utilized in the classroom when introducing a Civil Rights lesson to young children. I feel that any child would be highly attracted by the photographs, which are a very appealing aspect of this book.

Social Sciences/Language Arts/Fine Arts

Lesson Plan Idea: Have students select a picture from the book and pen a story about what they think is transpiring in the photograph.

Have students bring in random pictures from home and have them compose a story using their pictures (or copies of their pictures) to illustrate the narrative.

I will be reading a plethora of children's books for one of my classes.

However, as I delved into this particular book, I had a profound realization. Adults, too, can glean a wealth of knowledge from even the simplest of children's books.

Take this one for example. It presents historical information in Morrison's unique style.

Morrison has a way of making history come alive through her words, captivating both young and old readers alike.

The book not only provides valuable historical facts but also offers insights into different cultures and perspectives.

It serves as a reminder that learning is a continuous process, and we can find wisdom and inspiration in the most unexpected places.

So, the next time you pick up a children's book, don't dismiss it as just for kids. Open your mind and heart, and you might be surprised at what you can learn.

We have come a long way in the education system from the early 1990s.

However, I often find myself wondering what it would be like if I could experience the type of hurts that blacks endured.

This curiosity leads me to think about having the students describe how the blacks felt back in those times.

By doing so, they can gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and the struggles that the black community faced.

It is essential for students to learn about these experiences to promote empathy and a more inclusive society.

Moreover, it can help them appreciate the progress that has been made and encourage them to continue working towards equality.

In conclusion, exploring the past through the eyes of those who have suffered is a powerful way to educate and inspire the next generation.