Marching for Freedom: Walk Together Children and Don’t You Grow Weary by Elizabeth Partidge

The ratification of the 15th Amendment in 1870 prohibited denying anyone the right to vote based on race, but in Alabama in 1965, they found enough ways to get around that amendment that even though half the population of Selma was black, 99 % of the voters were white. The people of Selma decided to make a stand by marching to protest the unfair voting practices. The marchers were jailed, bombs were set off in the houses of the leaders, protesters were fired from their jobs, and the violence escalated leading up to what came to be known as Bloody Sunday. On Sunday, March 7th protesters gathered to march to Montgomery. Many of the protesters were children and teenagers who did not have jobs to lose. Despite this fact the police released tear gas on the peaceful protesters and came at man, woman, and child with clubs swinging. But trips to jail and even the hospital were not enough to stop them. These children and teenagers would gather again, and this time they would make it all the way to Montgomery. 

The story of how many children and teenagers were involved in these marches knowing the violence that awaited them is absolutely amazing. The book relies heavily on pictures taken during the events described. This really helps to communicate the story visually and draw the reader in. Partridge also uses excerpts from protest songs to tell the story. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a narrative nonfiction book, especially those with an interest in the Civil Rights Movement.

Marching for Freedom: Walk Together Children and Don’t You Grow Weary by Elizabeth Partidge

Erica's Picks
6th - 8th Grade
Tags: History, Nonfiction, People of Color

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