The Bus Ride that Changed History: The Story of Rosa Parks

by Pamela Duncan Edwards, Danny Shanahan (Illustrator)

In 1955, a young African-American woman named Rosa Parks took a big step for civil rights when she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. The bus driver told her to move. Jim Crow laws told her to move. But Rosa Parks stayed where she was, and a chain of events was set into motion that would eventually change the course of American history.

Fifty years later, The Bus Ride That Changed History retraces that chain of events by introducing the civil rights movement one idea at a time. Take a ride through history with this unique retelling of what happened when one brave woman refuses to stand up so that a white passenger could sit down.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Picture Books, Childrens, African American, Biography, Biography Memoir

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 26, 2005

About the author

Pamela Duncan Edwards is a British-born children's author living in the United States. She has written over forty picture books published in both the U.S. and the U.K., known for their playful language and engaging storytelling.

Reviews

[Reva Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: This book tells the story of Rosa Parks and her adventure on the bus she got on. It talks about how Rosa Parks got on the bus and refused to give up her seat to a white passenger, and how she stood up for civil rights. Jim Crow laws were in place so african americans were forced to move to the back of the bus when white passengers got on.
Evaluation: I gave this book an overall rating of a 4. I think this story accurately tells the story, however I do not think it goes into depth as much as it should, and I also think that the illustrations in this book lack a lot of detail.
Teaching Point: I would use this book as an interactive read aloud during a social studies lesson about historical figures in 1st or 2nd grade. After reading the book, I would ask my students to write an opinion piece about how they would have felt if they were Rosa Parks and whether or not they thought that Rosa Parks was brave for what she did. I would expect my students to write at least 4-6 sentences about the topic.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book describes some facts about the early years of Rosa Parks and focusing on her refusal to move for a white man leading to her arrest, a watershed moment in the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

The narration is styled in a cumulative way, akin to The House that Jack Built, but it is a bit awkward and this repetition does not work as well as I hoped it might.

Still, the information is provided in a manner that is appropriate for younger children and the illustrations complement the narrative nicely.

The author provides a note about some of the awards and honors given to Mrs. Parks as well as a timeline of major events in her life. The final page has a picture of her with the following quote: "Love, not fear, must be our guide." (p. 32 - unpaged)

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary
Rosa Parks sparked a Civil Rights Movement when she refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. There was a law that stated that Black passengers had to give up their seats for white passengers. Rosa Parks courageous actions helped to turn things around for all Black people.

Response
This book deserves a five star rating. The illustrations were beautiful and definitely helped with understanding the story. This book kind of reminds me of the book "The House that Jack Built." The story lines repeat and add another piece as the story goes on. The repetition can help children remember important facts from the story. This story also have children conversing and asking important questions on each page. Their conversation can also assist with better understanding the story. Finally, the book has a timeline in that back that has important dates and information to remember.

Classroom Connection
I would use this book as part of a Black History lesson. It discusses events that are important for understanding the Civil Rights Movement. I would have the students to discuss what we read in the book, then, extend the lesson by asking students to go out and find more information about the Civil Rights Movement and people who were involved.

Text Complexity
This book is 800 Lexile and GR level W. It is appropriate for grades 3 to 5.

[Lindsey Dardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very informative. I will for sure have this in my classroom for my students to read. I loved how throughout the book it was spoken from two kids' perspectives. Along with the kids explaining what was going on in the top left corner on every page, it was explained what was going on in history at the time. At the end of the story, there was a timeline that was two pages long. I LOVE a good timeline and this was perfect to sum the story up and see it all on one page. I recommend this book to any child and definitely think that every teacher should have it in their classrooms.

This book would be a great resource for a history lesson. The timeline in the very back of the book was my favorite part and I would love to do an activity with it. This book would be a super asset to your classroom library. It brings the content down to a level where lower-level students are able to understand what is happening. This book could be used, especially, to introduce civil rights in a social studies unit.

[Libby.dorger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book starts with a historical introduction of the civil rights events surrounding the bus incident in Montgomery, Alabama on December 1, 1955. Four narrators, two African American boys and two girls, provide additional input to the main story about segregation in all aspects of life. As the book explains the story of Rosa Parks that day in the bus, the children make it easier for younger readers to understand why segregation is wrong. Each page introduces a new character that is in opposition to Parks on that famous day, but there is a repetitive line on each page that says “which was overturned because one woman was brave” which enforces the significance of Parks’ actions in the context of the setting in history. The narrators go through the court cases that ensued, as well as the bus boycott and into the civil rights movement and how our country learned that we are all equal!

[Noah Sayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deals with the topic of segregation, and civil rights that were being denied to African Americans. Particularly, Rosa Parks, and her refusal to give up her seat to a white man.
Themes in this book aren't exclusively about the incidences that occurred on that bus, though. In a classroom, this book would not only bring about discussion of rights for minorities, but also the empowerment of women.

[Kady White]

Everyone grows up knowing about Rosa Park and her bus ride that changed history. However, I personally did not know a lot of other movements that were effected because of Rosa Parks. The story also gave information about the Court. They mentioned that Rosa's attorneys didn't defend her at court the first time, so she could take it to the Suprem Court because the Suprem Court is the only one that can change laws. I learned a lot of new information reading this book, and I am an adult. I liked how the author also made it with cartoon bubbles to explain the big text. She also had a concept in bold on each page so by the end of the book you would know that Rosa Parks was brave, and helped the Jim Crow Law in Alabama. I honestly felt that I learned more in this children's book than I did in my text books. There was no point of view, it was written as if these kids were explaining the life of Rosa Parks to us (the readers). Overall, the author did a great job making this book easy to understand, but the readers may have a hard time understanding vocabulary because some words were not defined in the text it was just assumed you understood the text.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have had better presentation. Sometimes they don't try on these types of books because of its historical signifance. But I think that's why they should try all the harder. Got the point across fairly well, but could've had better illustrations, worked harder on getting the significance, and so on. Cover is boring too.

[Erica Trollope · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book showed how the timeline of the bus injustice to African Americans. Only thing I would say it is very repetitive. Teachers can use this to teach history.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Use in American Girl Program- Melody Ellison.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Biographical

Summary: this book tells of the events leading up to the Civil Rights Movement and what happened the day Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat

Critique:
A) Setting
B) This book tells the actual events of what happened the day Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. This book details the setting of who/what/when/where
C) Specifically, when the children are going back in time and explaining what terms mean "colored", and sitting in different part of the bus, the text describes Montgomery Alabama, and why Rosa Parks did what she did.

CC) This is a great supplement when discovering the social studies SOLs on the Civil Rights Movement. Children could write their own book similar to this, describing a different event, like the March on Washington.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book in my classroom to trace the Civil Rights movement in American history. A great book, starting with a few well-selected words on a two page pictorial view, with the words getting longer and the pictures getting smaller as the events changed. The nuances of the words, repeating similar to the familiar "House that Jack Built," and the changing span of the picture background subtly magnifies the message.

This is a wonderful book, not only for the classroom, but for a child's personal library.

[Sabrina Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author did a wonderful job in retelling this story at children's level. It was simple and clear. This story is built around the historical event of Rosa Parks of the famous bus ride.

It helps to give children a taste of a part of important history in America. The illustrations are simple and created in a somewhat cartoon-like style; which I find to be child-friendly. A great book to use to teach children new vocabulary and comprehension.

[Debra Landay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story introduces the segregation laws of the South, and introduces us to Rosa Parks. The author and illustrator work together to tell the story in a picture and cartoon format in which we have cartoon figures mediating the pictures. As the story builds, the text is uses a pattern similar to "This is the House That Jack Built." The books message is "Sometimes it just takes one person to be brave."

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time with this book even though it is written on a topic that kids have to learn about our history. It was very confusing. I agree with another reviewer about The House that Jack Built comparison. The cartoons didn't help with explaining this important story in history. It was in bits and pieces which made it difficult to follow.

There are much better books out there on the Rosa Parks story.

[Jamie]

Rosa Park is an African woman who was brave enough to stand up against a white man in the mid 1950's. This book tells its readers about the fight that Rosa Parks went through to help her 'people' gain desegregation. After many years of fighting Rosa Parks wins and her 'people' get the fairness that they deserve. This is a historical fiction picture book that would be useful for history lessons in Elementary schools.

[Seher Patka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that incorporates writer's craft and S.S.--the civil rights movement. A book about how Rosa Parks took a heroic step in history which led to a chain of events in the Civil Rights Movement. Every page adds a line to the previous lines from previous pages. Helps students remember the chain of events.

[Cathleen Grissom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed how the author retold the story of Rosa Parks and her involvement in the civil rights movement. I think elementary level kids could definitely understand how Mrs. Parks changed history through reading this book. The illustrations are not very detailed but still manage to get the story across.

[Jane-Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations by the cartoonist from the New Yorker were interesting, but the narration was sometimes confusing, sometimes boring, and sometimes trite. It's a shame, this could have been a really great introduction to Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Movement.

[Natalie Schmitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explains the story of Rosa Parks through kids talking. Find out what happens to Rosa Parks and how everything happened through the voices of children! This book is great to teach students how to narrate stories and shows the students a different style of writing.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because it gives accurate information about what happened with Rosa Parks. There is commentary at the bottom of each page from kids. This is like having a built in read aloud. This is a great book to get students thinking about the Civil Rights movement.

[Brandi North · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does an excellent job of re telling the story of Rosa Parks at the children's level. I would use this book in my social studies class to inform the students about rosa parks and how she took a stand for herself and everyone of her kind! Excellent! Picture were also good!

[Shelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Often times stories are redone in that redundant slowly building This is the House that Jack Built kind of way. Sometimes they are done well and other times not so much; this was in the latter category. I can’t think of any age group that would enjoy hearing this book.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how the author put this book together. By using children in the story, guiding the story along, it created a child friendly environment for a pretty serious situation (that children should learn about). This is a great book to teach younger children about Rosa Parks and her story.

[Jeffrey Riley]

During this read aloud, students shared how they would feel if they were asked to move to another seat because of the color of their skin.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Use with Racial Prejudice Unit.

[Mina Saeed · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book they tell about Rosa Parks and how she didnt move to the back of the bus when a white man told her to
Use it during the topic of the civil rights movement

[Haim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book that shows how one person can change the country. A good basic book for children

[Taylor Kundel-Gower · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy Birthday, Rosa!

[RLL22017-Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bus Ride that Changed History: was a well written and illustrated book for students in elementary. It is the story line of how Rosa Parks refused to move from her seat so a white lady can sit instead. I loved the idea that the illustrations had the thinking bubbles every time a character was talking, I found that to be very unique. Also, it was a easy read and very understandable for students in elementary to read and also take a look at the pictures that had a powerful meaning towards them.