Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins

by Carole Boston Weatherford, Jerome Lagarrigue (Illustrator)

When four courageous black teens sat down at a lunch counter in the segregated South of 1960, the reverberations were felt both far beyond and close to home. This insightful story offers a child's-eye view of this seminal event in the American Civil Rights Movement. Connie is used to the signs and customs that have let her drink only from certain water fountains and which bar her from local pools and some stores, but still . . . she'd love to sit at the lunch counter, just like she's seen other girls do.

Showing how an ordinary family becomes involved in the great and personal cause of their times, it's a tale that invites everyone to celebrate our country's everyday heroes, of all ages.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens, African American, Cultural, Social Justice, American History

32 pages, Hardcover

First published December 29, 2004

About the author

Carole Boston Weatherford is a children's book author and poet who mines the past for family stories, traditions, and struggles. A number of CAROLE's books tell the stories of African-American historical figures such as Harriet Tubman, Jesse Owens, and Billie Holiday. Other books recount historical events such as the Greensboro Sit-ins and the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. CAROLE's books have received a wide variety of awards, including a Caldecott Honour for “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom”.

Reviews

[Mariah Roze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story that explained what sit-ins were. This lead to an amazing discussions with my students about how African-American's were treated at restaurants. We talked about the privileges my students have today and how they are able to sit anywhere they want in a restaurant because of the strong people that fought peacefully with these sit-ins.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freedom on the Menu, by Carole Boston Weatherford, is a historical fiction children’s book that tells the story of the Greensboro Sit-Ins. The young narrator, Connie, provides the audience with her account of events surrounding the Civil Rights Movement and their impact on her life. Experiences related to segregation and the Civil Rights Movement are often told from adult perspectives and a child’s point of view adds refreshing diversity to the pool of literature surrounding the topic. By telling the story from a child’s point of view the author makes the book relatable to it’s young audience and reminds adult readers that children are influenced by events in the community.

Aside from providing a unique and accurate account of an important historical event, the story teaches the importance of perseverance even when you or others may have doubts. The book helps readers understand that the Civil Rights Movement, and other similar revolutions, is not simply about being able to eat somewhere or sit somewhere, but about equal treatment regardless of the way a person looks.

This book is suitable for upper elementary school and could serve as a wonderful resource for 4th grade teachers in North Carolina in particular, since 4th grade is the year that social studies focuses on the state of North Carolina. However, this books use is not limited to North Carolina teachers. It could be included in any classroom discussion of civil rights or African American history. Further more, the book can be used to spark student’s thoughts and discussions on discrimination in the past and continued discrimination in the world today.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is based on the sit-ins at Woolworths in Greensboro, North Carolina. It follows a young African-American girl named Connie who is shopping downtown with her mother. She notices the segregation between blacks and whites in her town. There are different water fountains, bathrooms, and an only whites lunch counter. "All over town, signs told Mama and me where we could and couldn't go." She wishes she could sit and enjoy eating a banana split at the counter. Her brother and sister participate in protests against segregation, and Connie helps by making signs. She witnesses four of her brother’s friends sitting at the lunch counter at Woolworths refusing to leave until they are served. In the following weeks, more sit-ins and other examples of protest spread across the nation and things begin to change.

Jerome LaGarrique’s illustrations are very well done. They look like paintings and really compliment the story. I think the Civil Rights Movement might be a personal interest to him because he was also the illustrator to one of my other books this week also on a similar topic.

I think this book would be great to use for any grade level, but is most appropriate for grades 1-3. It can be a great introduction on the topic of sit-ins and the Civil Rights Movement.

I really enjoyed this book. I appreciated that they author included a reference to the real event at Woolworths, she gave more of a background on it and included a picture of the four men who sat there.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the famous 1960 Greensboro Sit-In at Woolworth's in Greensboro, North Carolina, Freedom on the Menu authored by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue is a personal, kid-friendly depiction of a key event in the Civil Rights Movement through a picture book. This simple story is told from the point of view of 8-year-old Connie who is confronted with the harsh reality of segregation when she sees a white girl sitting at the lunch counter at Woolworth's enjoying a banana split and is told by her mother she will have to wait until she gets home. She walks around Greensboro and sees signs all around her--on water fountains, swimming pools, and bathrooms--stating where she can and can't go. She later hears about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision and sees her family, namely her brother and sister, moved by his inspirational messages. While she is eight years old and can't go on marches or make speeches, she is inspired by those who act, and the reader quickly sees how these events affected real people. Freedom on the Menu would make a wonderful addition to a young child's library collection. The story is easy-to-understand for children 5 and up, and both the story and soft paintings used for illustrations prompt powerful discussion. This picture book takes a critical event from the Civil Rights Movement and makes it accessible to young readers, instilling a sense of empathy and standing up for what's right.

[Breanna Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freedom on the Menu by Carole Boston Weatherford is a historical fiction book that tells the story from a time in history where 4 college students sat down at a counter in Greensboro, NC during a time of segregation. The author does a great job explaining what life was like during this time and used a young girl named Connie to narrate the book. Connie being so young added more of an innocence and would help a younger reader to understand what was happening back in this time of history as well as the importance of this event. Furthermore, being an adult reading this book, it helped me to understand the impact event have on younger children and how much they are influenced by them. The author and story wants the readers to understand how to be courageous and preserver through tough times. This would be a great book geared to upper elementary grades 4th-5th and North Carolina teachers would really benefit having this as a resource in the classroom being that the events took place in North Carolina. As a teacher, you would use this book as part of a Civil Movement lesson and discussion. A teacher could have the students create protest posters and signs in the classroom using slogans they made up that could relate to the Civil Movement. Another activity would be write a speech or a letter to the editor arguing that a particular rule is unfair from back in the Civil Movement time by using mama statement where she told Connie, “Some rules need to be broken.”

[Stephanie Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freedom on the Menu by Carole Boston Weatherford, a historical fiction book, tells about a young girl who is unable to sit down while drinking her Coke because of the color of her skin. The story goes on to tell about the sit-ins and protests that took place in Greensboro, NC during the 1960s. We learn about how the Civil Rights Movement affects a family and how the different members take part in protesting and fighting for equal rights.

I think Weatherford does an excellent job of making this story one that children can deeply relate to and understand. It’s power comes from the simple examples Weatherford uses depicting how African-Americans were mistreated; it allows children to see how unfair segregation truly was.

Obviously this book would be wonderful to read in class while learning about the Civil Rights Movement. Freedom on the Menu would be an excellent addition to a text anthology used to teach about discrimination and/or injustices. I think reading this with students in grades 1-3 and including a discussion would go a long way to help students empathize on a deeper level with African-American children who lived in the times of segregation.

[Hope Chasteen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
This book is a historical fiction children’s book that tells the story of the Greensboro Sit-Ins. The book focuses on the events surrounding the Civil Rights Movement and their impact on African American's lives. This is told by Connie's, a child’s, point of view which I thought was interesting and different from the typical stories we hear. This point of view makes it more relate-able to it’s readers, therefore giving the readers more motivation to read.
Evaluation:
I rated this book with five stars because of it addressing an important historical event, and the importance of believing and never giving up. The book helps readers understand that the Civil Rights Movement, and sit ins. I like that the moral of the story is that every one is equal no matter how they look.
Teaching Tip:
This book could be in upper grades elementary school. I think that this could be used in a social studies lesson teaching civil rights and it's events. I think that this could be a small group guided reading book, because I know that there will be students that will have questions and want to discuss the content.

[Yasmeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade/Interest Level:Upper Elementary
Lexile Level: 660 L
Genre: Historical Fiction
Main Characters: Connie
Setting:Greensboro, North Carolina
POV: Connie
This story is told through the eyes of eight year old Connie who lives in Greensboro, North Carolina in the 1960’s. She describes how she isn’t able to sit at the counter at the diner because she was African Americans and that everyone obeyed the rules. When Dr, King visits and tells the people about peace and equality, people begin to stand up or for better words “sit down”. Connies sibling is a part of the sit-ins at the lunch counter and Connie wants to be part of the protests, but her family says she is too young. In the end, the sit-ins worked and blacks were allowed to eat at the lunch counters.
I really like that this book tells of the Greensboro sit-ins through the eyes of a child. This book talks about a very important event and of an act of peaceful protest that was successful. This book would work really well in a Civil Rights Unit.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The civil rights movement was pivotal in our history, this should not have to be stated. However, most students learn about it only in passing, as the history curriculum in schools still tends to end just after WWII. Even treating this through picture books is better than that.

This book, featuring a young girl whose socially active brother and sister participated in the sit-ins, signed people up to vote, and got arrested for their troubles, takes a good look at the Greensboro sit-ins. I like how the main character acts like a real child - she's proud of her siblings, yes, but she also wants them to stop protesting and stay home and be safe. She's eight years old, and, given the wordiness of the book, that's probably about the right age for the reader.

The artwork is pretty enough, but it would have been better on a larger book. When sitting with a kid in your lap reading with the light dim for bedtime, they end up looking a bit muddled.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins
By Carole Boston Weatherford
**Historical Fiction Picture Book
Pages- 32
Copyright- 2007

I really enjoyed reading this book. The book was told through the eyes of a young girl living during the time of segregation. She talked about the struggles she and her family faced because of the color of their skin. The book would be great for children in 2nd-5th grade because Connie, the main character, faces injustices like not being able to sit at the lunch counter, which a younger student could relate to. Students would need to have some background knowledge about the Greensboro Sit-Ins as well as who Dr. King was because the book mentions him. The illustrations were hard to see because the illustrator used what looked to be water color paints. The picture book also had a lot of text on a page. I believe the book could be shortened a little and still have the same meaning to the readers. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

All young Connie wants to do is sit at the counter at the diner and enjoy a banana split. But African Americans aren't allowed to sit at the counter. It is 1960 and Greensboro, North Carolina is on the verge of change. After Dr. King visits, preaching to people about peace and equality, Connie's siblings join the NAACP. She wants to go to the protests, but stays home because she is young and watches on TV. Her brother is part of the sit-ins at the lunch counter. And, at the end of the story, the family celebrates their journey by dressing up and sitting down for a meal at the counter.

Simply told and poignant, this story tells the details of an important event through a young girls eyes. Young children will be able to relate to Connie's emotions and her desire to participate with her older siblings. This story is excellent for K-2 and could even be used for older readers.

[Amber Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connie is a young girl growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina during the civil rights movement. She learns first hand about the unfair, black and white, world she's growing up in. While out with her mother, she witnessed the first step of the sit-in at Woolworth's first hand. Her confusion turned into interest after her brother and sister took active roles in the protests. The south began to make changes before her eyes.

I enjoyed reading this book. I haven't read many books about this time period, form the perspective of a child. This is a great book to use for younger students who are just beginning to learn about the civil rights movement. Giving students another take on it, rather than focusing only on Rosa Parks and Dr. King. The rich historical vocabulary can be of great use as well.

[Christy Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. No awards
2. K-5
3. This book retells the story of the Greensboro sit-ins from the perspective of the narrator, a young girl named Connie. She watches as her neighbors and family members participate in the peaceful protest, with mention of the NAACP and hearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous I have a dream speech.
4. The illustrations are very reminiscent of impressionist paintings. Retelling part of the story of the civil rights movement through a child's perspective gave a different, poignant take on it. I particularly liked how Connie's great Aunt Gertie from New York City always would break the rules, showing that she was ready for this movement far before it began.
5. This book could be showcased during black history month, as a text to introduce the injustices that African Americans faced in our country, as well as a lesson on the importance of perseverance.

[Ch_kendrachristo · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Freedom on the Menu: the Greensboro Sit-Ins" is a great read aloud for children who are just beginning to learn about the Civil Rights Movement. The story is told from the perspective of a young black girl named Connie. Connie and her mother like to go shopping in downtown Greensboro each week, but are not allowed to enjoy the same priveledges as the white people they encounter. The story helps children to learn who Dr. Martin Luther King is and gives insight into what the NAACP does. Read to find out about the trials that Connie and her family endure during this fascinating time in America's history.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't thrilled with the illustrations, but I loved the story. A young girl and her family witness the Greensboro sit-ins of 1960. I loved the ending, when her whole family goes to Woolworth's, sits at the counter, and orders lunch! I think this should have won a Coretta Scott King award. Highly recommended.

[Jeimy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but having read it on the same day as Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down, it paled in comparison.

[Kristin Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

More straightforward than Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down. Both books are good and factual; this one is less artistic.

[Mikell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great kids book that has meaning for us all. http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/bo... I used to read this with my Clyde School kids every year.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Freedom on the Menu” is a historical fiction picture book by Caldecott Medalist Carole Boston Weatherford. In 1960, four students sat down at a lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina and asked to be served. They sparked a movement that challenged segregation in the form of peaceful protest. “Freedom on the Menu” is told from the perspective of Connie, a young girl who experiences the impact that these sit-ins begin to have in a deeply divided nation.

“Freedom on the Menu” is a great resource to teach grades 3-5 about segregation and its impact in the United States in the 1960’s. The narration incorporates experiences that portray the deeply embedded societal oppression faced by so many people during that time. For a lesson, I would have students discuss and write about past events drive communities to undergo a period of social change.

This book would also provide a great resource for fourth graders studying important events that have happened in North Carolina’s history. I would have students create a timeline of events include the Greensboro sit-ins, that have shaped North Carolina’s political and social development.

This is a WOW book for me because it’s a realistic portrayal of the cruel realities of segregation, discrimination, and prejudice. This book initiates a tough but necessary discussion about systematic oppression. The book is full of rich text and the accompanying paintings portray the feelings and experiences of the characters in this book. It is an inspiring true story of how a few people can spark a movement that inspires social change.

[Narcarsia Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great short story, it had a very powerful message.

[David Choquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of the stories that pass for historical fiction in children’s literature are actually fictionalized history. Pilgrims and Indians, Johnny Appleseed, and George Washington’s encounter with the cherry tree come to mind. Students read or hear accounts that they assume are historical, but which are actually merely populist folk-history. There’s nothing wrong with folk-history, but a good work of historical fiction should not gloss over history, but illuminate it. Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-ins, by Carole Boston Weatherford is a shining example of this kind of historical fiction. Connie, a young black girl in 1960s Greensboro, North Carolina, has known nothing but segregation and prejudice for her whole life. Then four black teenagers sit down at a whites-only lunch counter in her own town, and refuse to leave, bringing the Civil Rights movement straight into her own home. Connie watches her own family participate in the marches and demonstrations, longing to understand and to participate in them herself. She helps make signs, watches, and prays. Slowly she sees changes sweep across the nation with the help of everyday heroes in her own family.
This is a picture book, but it is probably too complex, even as a read-aloud, for young students. Instead, teachers of second, third, or even fourth and fifth grade students should use this book as an introduction to the real, important changes that swept our country barely fifty years ago. Children study Martin Luther King Jr., and see photos of the big marches in Washington and Alabama, but the heroes of the Civil Rights movement came in all shapes and sizes, and in places as small as Greensboro. The protagonist of this story is in elementary school, yet she makes a difference in her own, totally realistic way. This book is as much inspirational as it is educational, as a good, even if fictional, account of history should be.

[Katie]

Genre:

Number of Pages:

Grade Level or Age: 1st-3rd

Themes:
Civil Rights Movement

Summary:
Connie, an eight year old African American girl loves to go to shopping with her mom every week! She always looks forward to having a coke at a local restraunt but sometimes, she wishes she could have a banana split like the little girl sitting at the counter. At the time, she did not realize why she and her mom always stand while having their coke or never use the same facilities as the white people. One day, on their weekly shopping trip, Connie saw four of her brother's friends sitting at the snack counter. She watched as these boys were asked to leave but remained seated. The weeks following this historical day, Connie begins to understand why she and her family are treated differently and she wants to help.

Personal Response:
I think that this book is very well written. While the language and writing style is geared toward a younger audience, all of the information seemed to be unbiased and accurate. Because this story is written from the point of view of a young girl, most elementary aged students will be able to relate to this story and understand the message that is being shared here.

Classroom Use:
Freedom on the Menu is referenced from documents that were written from the time of the civil rights movement. This book in particular has a very nice "Author's Note" after the story. It tells all about the events that took place surrounding the setting of Freedom in the Menu. After reading this book, I like to encourage my students to write a news paper article in which they tell about the events that took place.

[Kristina Wise]

Freedom on the Menu is an extraordinary story that tells historical events during the Greensboro Sit-Ins in the South during the 1960’s. This remarkable story is told from the perspective from a little girl named Connie, a very fearless and audacious little girl. Connie and her mother were shopping downtown one day when Connie noticed major changes that were going on in her town. From not being able to sit at a counter, drinking from different water fountains, and signs to tell Connie and her mother where they could and couldn’t go were indications that something consequential was occurring. Through times of adversity and racial discrimination, Connie and her family remained true to what they believe was fair and equal. Standing up for what they believed in and fighting for their equality as African-Americans. Even though, this story is told from a young girl’s perspective, we as readers, are able to understand what has happened to her and her family as the historical events teach us an important lesson; treat others with respect.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It is a perfect example of a read-aloud, particularly for 3rd and 4th graders. Freedom on the Menu is be a great representation for a history lesson or an overall lesson on equality. Providing background knowledge of events during the Civil Rights Movement and painting a vivid picture in our minds of their expression and disbelief.
Reading this particular read-aloud, students will be able to digest what has occurred during these horrific and persevering times. As teachers, we should always remind our students that you should never judge someone by the color of our skin, but by the character in their heart.

[Erin Ramai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-ins is appropriate for children in grades 1-4. It could also serve as an anchor text for older readers. The illustrator, Jerome Lagarrigue, is a recipient of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award for his work in Freedom Summer

This text explains the Greensboro Sit-ins in a way that is accessible to children. The story is told from the perspective of a young girl named Connie. The opening scene of the book shows Connie and her mother standing in the middle of the snack bar, sipping their Cokes, because they are not permitted to sit down. Throughout the book Connie makes observations and asks questions about the racially charged environment she lives in. She notices the signs that keep African Americans out of swimming pools, movie theaters and bathrooms and from drinking out of certain water fountains. When she sees four African American students from A&T College sitting at the snack bar she asks her mother, “Do they know they’re in the wrong place?” At home she asks her father, “Why’d your friends do that?” Her questions are apt and will help child readers comprehend the gravity of the situations being described. Although she is too young to participate in the sit-ins, she is old enough to make picket signs and to understand the progress made by her family members and in various communities throughout the south. I especially appreciated that the role of Caucasians was not one sided. At one point in the text, an elderly white woman approaches the students and says, “I’m so proud of you.” And at the end, the waitress at the snack bar smiles as she adds another cherry to Connie’s banana split.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not partial to this type of artwork where everything just looks blurry and out of focus (like I forgot to put my glasses on before viewing), which is the main reason I didn't give this book a higher rating.

But the story itself, about the sit-ins and other civil disobedience begun at the Woolworth's lunch counter by four young men in Greensboro, North Carolina on February 1st, 1960, and told from the perspective of an 8-year-old black girl, was very moving and very informative. I wonder how many children and teens - or even adults - in our society today even know who are the Greensboro Four.

The struggles experienced by the main characters of the story - not being allowed to use certain public facilities (i.e. lunch counters, water fountains, and especially bathrooms) - simply because of the color of their skin, are so poignant because of similar fights being waged today by others because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

I was especially happy that the book included references to those who had nothing to gain and much to lose by supporting the Greensboro Four and their efforts - such as the old white lady who told them loudly how proud she was of them. And those caught in the middle who (probably like the majority of people at the time) didn't have strong feelings either way but were just trying to do their job and get along under the prevailing system - such as the waitress at the lunch counter who had to refuse them service.

Definitely a book I would recommend to those wanting to learn, and a simple and straight-forward way, more about the happenings of the time.

[Ariel Filion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freedom on the Menu follows Connie as she watches history unfold in front of her eyes. She sees that her family and friends who are black cannot drink, eat, or sit in the same facilities as white people. She always wants to go to this diner and cannot because the waitress will not serve her or her brothers and sisters. The book follows the sit-in's at Woolworth's in Greensboro North Carolina. The book follows Connie's family's dedication to the movement.

This is one of the best children's books I have ever read.

This book is historical fiction, but not a watered down whitewashed version at all. The author’s insider perspective is shown through Connie’s honest experiences and the beautiful pastel illustrations. This book was culturally specific and really could be a door to any student to see what it was like to live in the times of sit-ins. This book allows students to reflect on their own life experiences and privileges, such as being served at a diner. The book does a good job at educating in the narrative with the thoughtful additions of the NAACP and Dr. King. These additions are intertwined in Connie’s experience and are purposeful in teaching students more about the movement. I would read this book to all elementary schoolers aloud. This book is engaging and holds many lessons. I would also use this book as an aid in a history lesson on sit-ins and the Civil Rights Movement.

[Brittany Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connie is a young girl growing up in the civil rights era. She doesn't understand why she can't eat banana splits at the counters like the other little girls. Her mom tries to explain, but it still seems unfair to young Connie. One night, Daddy talks about a Dr. King coming to their town. Connie asks who is sick, but Daddy said he wasn't a medical doctor. After Dr. King came to town, Connie's brother and sister joined a group called the NAACP. Her siblings as well as other students started sitting at lunch counters and protesting for civil rights, but then her sister gets sent to jail. Connie doesn't understand why her sister wouldn't want her daddy to come get her. In the end, the rules change and Connie is amazed at what all she gets to do.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought that the author did a great job of recounting historical events while also keeping it at a kid friendly level. I think that it is important for the main character to have been a child, because it kept the story kid-friendly and easy to understand.

I think that this would be a great resource for discussing civil rights. As I mentioned earlier, it is kid-friendly and easy to understand. This book allows children to be able to better understand what it was like for children during the era of civil rights.

[Chase Vombaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is based on the sit ins at Woolworth's in Greensboro, North Carolina. The story is based around a young African American girl named Connie who notices that black and whites can't sit together. She notices that they eat at different restaurants, drink out of different water fountains and play at different parks. Everywhere they went there was a sign telling them what they could and couldn't do. Connie wishes she could eat at the counter and enjoy her banana but can't. Her family begins to protest against segregation, Connie pitches in by making signs. She starts to see things changing very fast. She sees four black kids refusing to leave the counter and finish eating. In the following months more sit ins and other examples of protest begin to spread across the country

I really appreciated this book. It was one of the better books that I have read. Although I really enjoyed the story I wasn't a fan of the illustrations. I have never been to found of the water mark style pictures. They just seem smeared and hard to really get a clear picture of what's going on. Other then that this book is awesome. It even included real events that happened in North Carolina at the time. I would recommend this from anywhere from 2nd grade and above.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully told & illustrated; a superb story. Reviewed for my daughter's pre-k class; I very much recommend this.

When these events happened, I was in about 5th grade, and I remember hearing about them. Where I lived was a farm town in Central Illinois, about as non-diverse of a place as you could get, then. So I had not seen discrimination with my own eyes, and did not even know a single person who was not European American. Yet I still had a strong sense -- shared by just about the whole town -- that discrimination was very, totally wrong. At complete odds with the Pledge of Allegiance that we had to say every single morning at school.

Years later, at the Univ of Illinois, I experienced reverse discrimination. I remember thinking this was stupid, and wondering if anybody (meaning, society as a whole) ever learns anything????

Many more years later, the legacy of MLK remains strong, and "I Have a Dream" stands as one of the greatest speeches of all time. That, and the Gettysburg Address, serve as extremely powerful guides to American culture. And yes, society does appear to learn things, albeit slowly.

All of which owes so much to the brave people who stood up for their rights at a Woolworth's lunch counter in 1960.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grades 2-8
This fictionalized story depicts the events surrounding the Greensboro Sit-Ins in a way that is particularly well-suited for children of a wide age range. Through the main character's eyes, many questions are answered. Although Connie is too young to directly participate in the protests, she helps make signs. It is effective to answer contemporary children’s' questions through the questions that she asks the adults around her. Also commendable is the recognition that some white people were also in favor of the change. The paintings are magnificent in their use of perspective, shape, and color. Bare patches of canvas peek through to give the illusion of light. This would be an excellent first text before students enter a more in-depth study of the civil rights movement.