Nobody Gonna Turn Me 'Round: Stories and Songs of the Civil Rights Movement

by Doreen Rappaport, Shane W. Evans

A powerful trilogy concludes with a look at both famous and lesser-known forces in the ongoing struggle for civil rights.

In the summer of 1955, Moses Wright braved mortal danger to testify against three white men accused of murdering Emmett Till — a brutal event that helped to spur the American civil rights movement. Nine black teenagers in Little Rock, Arkansas, headed out to a formerly white high school, despite warnings that "blood will run in the streets." James Lawson trained activists not to fight back with fists or words, no matter how many billy clubs rained down on them. Through ten turbulent years, black southerners filled jails and public places with the songs and strength passed down from their ancestors. This final book in a trilogy about the African-American experience is a tribute to the crusaders for equality and peace in America, a crusade that continues to this day.
Back matter includes important dates, an artist’s note, source notes, a bibliography, sources for further information, and an index.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Music, Picture Books

64 pages, Hardcover

First published October 10, 2006

About the author

Doreen Rappaport has written many books of fiction and nonfiction for young readers, specializing in thoroughly researched multicultural history, historical fiction, retellings of folktales and myths, and stories of those she calls the "not-yet-celebrated." Among her recent books is Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., illustrated by Bryan Collier, which received a Caldecott Honor Award and a Coretta Scott King Honor Award for illustration. Doreen Rappaport divides her time between New York City and a rural village in upstate New York.

Reviews

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This journey of the Civil Rights Movement, culminating with the Voting Rights Bill, through history, poetry, and song is a treasure. The scores of music are an added bonus, along with important dates of the movement.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to incorporate historical events when teaching civil rights. This subject matter would be for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade levels. The events that Rappaport highlights in the book depict actual events, but are presented from the point of view of the participant. This helps the reader to indentify with the characters. The artwork is an excellent representation of the struggle going on during this time in history. This book is an excellent resource for intergrating many subjects into one. Music: Songs from the Civil Rights Movement History: Events such as the creation of the SCLC (the Southern Christian Leadership Conference), CORE (Congress of Racial Equality), and the SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee), the murder of Emmitt Till and the subsequent trial, the Montgomery bus boycott, lunch counter sit-ins, the desegregation of Little Rock, Arkansas schools, voter registration efforts, freedom schools, and finally, the Voting Rights Bill of 1965. Art: The oil paintings by Shane Evans

I liked this book very much and appreciated the stark look at the tribulations of the Civil Rights Era.

[Kourtnie Bussey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Nobody Gonna Turn Me 'Round," is a children's book that focuses on very important facts, people, and events of the Civil Rights Movement. It also has songs in poems in as well. Even though the author, Doreen Rappaport doesn't relate to the African American culture, she does a good job of retelling the events. I can tell that she did a plenty of research, as the book is filled with some people that I never knew about such as Diane Nash and many more. The illustrator, Shane W. Evans, does a wonderful job with the pictures. I would read this book to my class because the illustrations are very appealing as they leap right out of the book. The book is filled with various characters such as, Rosa Parks and Emmett Till. I would recommend this book to anybody that would love to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement.

[♥T♥I♥N♥K♥E♥R♥B♥E♥L♥L]

This book is about the events of the Civil Rights Movement. Rappaport takes stories and songs from those of that time, and put it all into a book in chronological order from the time Rosa Parks went to jail from refusing to give up her seat, to the time when the Civil Right Act was passed. This book is has mutual characteristics because, not only are you reading, you are finding out some important facts about segregation.
I think the authors main purpose is to show others how life was during the Civil Rights Movement. It seem as though, Doreen Rappaport, wanted others to see what it was like living in that time. The book to me was an experience as if though I was there.

[Emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is a close look at the civil rights leaders and other people who are the unsung heroes of this era. We hear so much about Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Malcom X. But who helped get the word out to stop riding the bus after Rosa was arrested. This book share stories of the unsung hero. Very informative and fascinating.

[Hannah]

This picture book is more advanced, on a 4th grade level. It covers events in the Civil Rights Movement and accompanies the accounts with beautiful illustrations. It starts in the 50s, whereas many of the other texts in the set start in the 60s. It covers Emmett Till, Little Rock, and more.

[Rachel]

includes NAACP,rosa parks,jo ann robinson, mlk and many, many other key people during civil rights movement. great pics

[Yadira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories and songs of the civil rights movement

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I felt it really didn't hold back, yet wasn't overly graphic, about the cruelty of events during the Civil Rights Movement. One of the last pages is very inspiring - it updates the reader on several of the important people of the movement.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Description: Hear the voices, songs, and words of the heroes that led so many African-Americans through the events of Civil Rights Movement.

Genre: Informational - History

Intended Audience: 4th - 7th Grade

Curriculum Connection: This can be brought into any history class whether learning about the Civil Rights Movement or not, because it brings in the tactics that were used by African-Americans at the time to overcome oppression and adversity. Since the book focused on the first hand accounts, writings, songs and poems of people who led the movement I would also like to see this used in an English class when examining poetry. Even a music class can use this book as they have to learn about different styles and genres of music, focusing on the reason people use music in various locations, times, and cultures.

Personal Reaction: What I enjoyed most about the book was the vast array of perspectives given. I feel like most curriculums focus on Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. without even mentioning any other individuals. There are other stories and leaders and everyday people who had a great influence on the Civil Rights Movement. I also liked how the book included different aspects of the movement such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, freedom rides, sit ins, school integration among others.

Assessment of Visual Appeal: The illustrations are simple yet bold to match the text. The story of Diane Nash has a painted image of a girl curled up on the floor, a powerful image, as she practices what to do if she is attacked during a sit in. Another page with a full page painting of James Farmer behind bars. The image for the March on Washington is also an image that stuck out to me as silhouettes of people stand with the Washington Monument in the background. Again, all of these are simple, yet striking illustrations.

[Gloria Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account of the beginnings of the Civil Rights movement through ike figuresm fron 1952 to 1965. Puts a face on the dates, and brings it to life.