What do you think?
Rate this book
Ordinary People Change the World
I am Rosa Parks
Civil Rights leader Rosa Parks is the 3rd hero in in the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series for ages 5 to 8. (Cover may vary)
Each picture book in this series is a biography of a significant historical figure, told in a simple, conversational, vivacious way, and always focusing on a character trait that made the person heroic. The heros are depicted as children throughout, telling their life stories in first-person present tense, which keeps the books playful and accessible to young children. And each book ends with a line of encouragement, a direct quote, and photos on the last page. This story focuses on Rosa Parks and how she always stood up for what's right.
This friendly, fun biography series inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these books encourage kids to dream big.
Included in each book
• A timeline of key events in the hero’s history
• Photos that bring the story more fully to life
• Comic-book-style illustrations that are irresistibly adorable
• Childhood moments that influenced the hero
• Facts that make great conversation-starters
• A virtue this person Rosa Parks's strength is highlighted in this biography. You’ll want to collect each book in this dynamic, informative series!
Each picture book in this series is a biography of a significant historical figure, told in a simple, conversational, vivacious way, and always focusing on a character trait that made the person heroic. The heros are depicted as children throughout, telling their life stories in first-person present tense, which keeps the books playful and accessible to young children. And each book ends with a line of encouragement, a direct quote, and photos on the last page. This story focuses on Rosa Parks and how she always stood up for what's right.
This friendly, fun biography series inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these books encourage kids to dream big.
Included in each book
• A timeline of key events in the hero’s history
• Photos that bring the story more fully to life
• Comic-book-style illustrations that are irresistibly adorable
• Childhood moments that influenced the hero
• Facts that make great conversation-starters
• A virtue this person Rosa Parks's strength is highlighted in this biography. You’ll want to collect each book in this dynamic, informative series!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2014
59 people are currently reading
1130 people want to read
About the author
Brad Meltzer
322 books7,369 followersBrad Meltzer is the Emmy-nominated, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lightning Rod, The Escape Artist, and eleven other bestselling thrillers. He also writes non-fiction books like The JFK Conspiracy, about a secret plot to kill JFK before he was sworn in – and the Ordinary People Change the World kids book series, which he does with Chris Eliopoulos and inspired the PBS KIDS TV show, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. His newest kids books are We are the Beatles, We are the Beatles, and I am Simone Biles. His newest inspirational book is Make Magic, based on his viral commencement address.
In addition to his fiction, Brad is one of the only authors to ever have books on the bestseller list for Non-Fiction (The Nazi Conspiracy), Advice (Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter), Children’s Books (I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln) and even comic books (Justice League of America), for which he won the prestigious Eisner Award.
He is also the host of Brad Meltzer’s Lost History and Brad Meltzer’s Decoded on the History Channel, and is responsible for helping find the missing 9/11 flag that the firefighters raised at Ground Zero, making national news on the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Meltzer unveiled the flag at the 9/11 Museum in New York, where it is now on display. See the video here. The Hollywood Reporter recently put him on their list of Hollywood’s 25 Most Powerful Authors.
He also recently delivered the commencement address at the University of Michigan, in front of 70,000 people, including his graduating son. Entitled Make Magic and called “one of the best commencement addresses of all time,” it’s been shared millions of times across social media. Do yourself a favor, watch it here and buy the book here.
For sure, it’s tough to find anyone being so successful in so many different mediums of the popular culture. But why does Brad thrive in all these different professions? His belief that ordinary people change the world. It is that core belief that runs through every one of his projects.
His newest thriller, The Lightning Rod, brings back characters Nola and Zig in a setting that will blow your mind (you won't believe where the government let Brad go). For now, we'll say this: What's the one secret no one knows about you? It's about to come out. Nearly 2,000 five-star reviews. Raves by everyone from the Wall Street Journal, to James Patterson, to Brad's mother-in-law. Plus that twist at the end! And yes, the new Zig & Nola thriller is coming soon!
His newest non-fiction book, The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy -- and Why It Failed, which he wrote with Josh Mensch, is a true story about a secret assassination plot to kill JFK at the start of his Presidency and, if successful, would’ve changed history.
His illustrated children’s books I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln, which he does with artist Chris Eliopoulos, were written for his own children, to give them better heroes to look up to. Try them. You won’t believe how inspired you and your family will be. Some of our favorites in the series are I am Mister Rogers and I am Dolly Parton.
His other non-fiction books, Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter, are collections of heroes – from Jim Henson to Sally Ride — that he’s been working on since the day his kids were born and is on sale now, as well as History Decoded: The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time.
He’s also one of the co-creators of the TV show, Jack & Bobby.
Raised in Brooklyn and Miami, Brad is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Columbia Law School. The Tenth Justice was his first published work and became an instant New York Times bestseller. Dead Even followed a year later and also hit the New York Times bestseller list, as have all thirteen of his novels. The First Counsel came next, which was about a White House lawyer dating the President’s daughter, then The Millionaires, which was about two brothers who
In addition to his fiction, Brad is one of the only authors to ever have books on the bestseller list for Non-Fiction (The Nazi Conspiracy), Advice (Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter), Children’s Books (I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln) and even comic books (Justice League of America), for which he won the prestigious Eisner Award.
He is also the host of Brad Meltzer’s Lost History and Brad Meltzer’s Decoded on the History Channel, and is responsible for helping find the missing 9/11 flag that the firefighters raised at Ground Zero, making national news on the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Meltzer unveiled the flag at the 9/11 Museum in New York, where it is now on display. See the video here. The Hollywood Reporter recently put him on their list of Hollywood’s 25 Most Powerful Authors.
He also recently delivered the commencement address at the University of Michigan, in front of 70,000 people, including his graduating son. Entitled Make Magic and called “one of the best commencement addresses of all time,” it’s been shared millions of times across social media. Do yourself a favor, watch it here and buy the book here.
For sure, it’s tough to find anyone being so successful in so many different mediums of the popular culture. But why does Brad thrive in all these different professions? His belief that ordinary people change the world. It is that core belief that runs through every one of his projects.
His newest thriller, The Lightning Rod, brings back characters Nola and Zig in a setting that will blow your mind (you won't believe where the government let Brad go). For now, we'll say this: What's the one secret no one knows about you? It's about to come out. Nearly 2,000 five-star reviews. Raves by everyone from the Wall Street Journal, to James Patterson, to Brad's mother-in-law. Plus that twist at the end! And yes, the new Zig & Nola thriller is coming soon!
His newest non-fiction book, The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy -- and Why It Failed, which he wrote with Josh Mensch, is a true story about a secret assassination plot to kill JFK at the start of his Presidency and, if successful, would’ve changed history.
His illustrated children’s books I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln, which he does with artist Chris Eliopoulos, were written for his own children, to give them better heroes to look up to. Try them. You won’t believe how inspired you and your family will be. Some of our favorites in the series are I am Mister Rogers and I am Dolly Parton.
His other non-fiction books, Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter, are collections of heroes – from Jim Henson to Sally Ride — that he’s been working on since the day his kids were born and is on sale now, as well as History Decoded: The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time.
He’s also one of the co-creators of the TV show, Jack & Bobby.
Raised in Brooklyn and Miami, Brad is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Columbia Law School. The Tenth Justice was his first published work and became an instant New York Times bestseller. Dead Even followed a year later and also hit the New York Times bestseller list, as have all thirteen of his novels. The First Counsel came next, which was about a White House lawyer dating the President’s daughter, then The Millionaires, which was about two brothers who
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 422 reviews
February 19, 2021
A picture book biography written by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos.
The book covers some of Rosa Parks childhood including how blacks were treated at that time. Separate schools, separate water fountains, separate elevators, etc. Blacks and whites lived in different neighborhoods. Schools were also separate, but, not equal. Rosa's school was a one room wooden building with all grades sharing the same room and teacher. The white school was brick building with nice windows and rooms for each grade.
Rosa endured these discriminatory practices, but, at age forty-two (42) something happened that caused her fight against the status quo. While riding on the city bus in Montgomery, Alabama, she refused to give up her seat to a white man. She was arrested. This led to a bus boycott by blacks who refused to ride the bus for 381 days. This led to changing the rules, now blacks no longer had to ride in the back of the bus. This led to many other changes giving blacks more rights.
Rosa Parks was a catalyst for civil rights and not the ordinary person she thought she was.
The book is for children 5 - 8.
Black History Month Read
The book covers some of Rosa Parks childhood including how blacks were treated at that time. Separate schools, separate water fountains, separate elevators, etc. Blacks and whites lived in different neighborhoods. Schools were also separate, but, not equal. Rosa's school was a one room wooden building with all grades sharing the same room and teacher. The white school was brick building with nice windows and rooms for each grade.
Rosa endured these discriminatory practices, but, at age forty-two (42) something happened that caused her fight against the status quo. While riding on the city bus in Montgomery, Alabama, she refused to give up her seat to a white man. She was arrested. This led to a bus boycott by blacks who refused to ride the bus for 381 days. This led to changing the rules, now blacks no longer had to ride in the back of the bus. This led to many other changes giving blacks more rights.
Rosa Parks was a catalyst for civil rights and not the ordinary person she thought she was.
The book is for children 5 - 8.
Black History Month Read
June 4, 2020
I don’t think this story, which is one of the first in this series, gives as much background on Rosa parks as some of the other books do. I feel like details of her are scant here.
This is pretty much about the buses and about Rosa not giving up her seat and starting the boycott. She changes laws here and that’s no small thing. There wasn’t a whole lot to learn besides how terrible school for people of color were back then. It was such an unfair society. So, that is a big deal to learn, but I felt it could have been more.
The nephew didn’t have a lot of say about this. He thought it was an OK story. I have read several of these to him in a matter of only a few days and I think he is a little tired of them. He gave this 2 stars and doesn’t understand the big deal about where one sits on a bus. It's great some things have changed, but there is still so much work to be done.
I've been listening to stories people of color have with police officers and I'm appalled at how often police pull their guns on them. I've been intimidated, but they never pulled a gun on me. It's funny, I grew up watching police shows and movie and in the movies cops never want to pull their guns and there are always these dramatic moments when an officer takes a shot and the perp has a gun and it's missing. They have to find the gun to prove it was there. I assumed that was really how it works. Yet, over the past 10 years we see case after case of black men being uparmed and shot or beaten or something and nothing happens to these officers. There are supposed to be rules to avoid this. I support laws and police, but no one who is unarmed should be afraid for the life around the law. It's time to reform and change some things.
This is pretty much about the buses and about Rosa not giving up her seat and starting the boycott. She changes laws here and that’s no small thing. There wasn’t a whole lot to learn besides how terrible school for people of color were back then. It was such an unfair society. So, that is a big deal to learn, but I felt it could have been more.
The nephew didn’t have a lot of say about this. He thought it was an OK story. I have read several of these to him in a matter of only a few days and I think he is a little tired of them. He gave this 2 stars and doesn’t understand the big deal about where one sits on a bus. It's great some things have changed, but there is still so much work to be done.
I've been listening to stories people of color have with police officers and I'm appalled at how often police pull their guns on them. I've been intimidated, but they never pulled a gun on me. It's funny, I grew up watching police shows and movie and in the movies cops never want to pull their guns and there are always these dramatic moments when an officer takes a shot and the perp has a gun and it's missing. They have to find the gun to prove it was there. I assumed that was really how it works. Yet, over the past 10 years we see case after case of black men being uparmed and shot or beaten or something and nothing happens to these officers. There are supposed to be rules to avoid this. I support laws and police, but no one who is unarmed should be afraid for the life around the law. It's time to reform and change some things.
January 13, 2017
This book belongs to a series of biographies, and the subjects (at least so far) are drawn in a way that makes them look like kids even when they grow up (their age doesn't seem to change, but other people are represented in adult form). I find it jarring and a little off-putting, but Lena (my 6 year old neighbor) looooooves these books and is very happy with the art as is.
This biography isn't doing too much new in terms of kids picture books about Rosa Parks but for its particular cartoon aesthetic (very cartoony, first person POV, conversational narrative text as well as speech bubbles) and Meltzer's silly humor.
It starts out with Rosa as a kid being a bit small for her age and being teased affectionately by her brother. Next she's at a park and gets pushed by a white boy. She pushes him back and stands up to his mother, too, who threatens to have her put in jail. From there, we learn about racism, segregation and economic injustice and then the busses and Rosa's arrest and the bus boycott.
Lena gives this a 5 and I give it a 3, and so it gets a four.
This biography isn't doing too much new in terms of kids picture books about Rosa Parks but for its particular cartoon aesthetic (very cartoony, first person POV, conversational narrative text as well as speech bubbles) and Meltzer's silly humor.
It starts out with Rosa as a kid being a bit small for her age and being teased affectionately by her brother. Next she's at a park and gets pushed by a white boy. She pushes him back and stands up to his mother, too, who threatens to have her put in jail. From there, we learn about racism, segregation and economic injustice and then the busses and Rosa's arrest and the bus boycott.
Lena gives this a 5 and I give it a 3, and so it gets a four.
October 18, 2017
This is the 8th book I've read of Brad Meltzer's I AM children series of books. After finishing I AM ROSA PARKS, I ordered the rest of the books of the series, convinced that Meltzer is not capable of writing a bad one. The subjects are varied and unique, the message about 'ordinary people changing the world' through their persistence and courage is wonderful, and the illustrations are top-notch. I can't say it enough...these books are a MUST for any child's library. In addition, adults will find they're pleasantly surprised how much they enjoy reading them as well!
March 21, 2016
"Always stand up for yourself."
At a young age Rosa Parks was taught to not only respect others, but also respect herself. Respecting one's self is empowering. It is something that helped Rosa in standing her ground, and standing up for herself when she wasn't being treated fairly or with respect. It proved vital in her powerful stance for change during a time of segregation in our country. She is an example of how one person can make a huge impact in a world that is afraid of change. She peacefully stood up for herself, and the fair treatment of others. Her refusal to give up her seat sparked a movement, and changed the rules of segregation in her town. Though change didn't happen right away, it did happen.
Rosa Parks is proof of how one person can inspire others, and bring about change. She's proof that no matter what, always stand up for yourself, and what you believe in. No matter how many times Rosa Parks was told no, or treated unfairly, she never let that get her down. She stood unmovable. She stood strong for what's right. I have always admired the courage and bravery that Rosa Parks had. Not just to defy the law, and what society at the time deemed acceptable (which it wasn't), she stood for what Thomas Jefferson long ago wrote, that we're all created equal.
"The only tired I was, was tired of giving in." - Rosa Parks
Rose Parks is an incredible example of how an ordinary person can do extraordinary things. Like every book in this fabulous series, at the end of the story is a quote, along with pictures, and facts about this incredible person! This is another fantastic book to pick up and add to your personal, classroom or public library.
Full Review here http://mundiekids.blogspot.com/2016/0...
At a young age Rosa Parks was taught to not only respect others, but also respect herself. Respecting one's self is empowering. It is something that helped Rosa in standing her ground, and standing up for herself when she wasn't being treated fairly or with respect. It proved vital in her powerful stance for change during a time of segregation in our country. She is an example of how one person can make a huge impact in a world that is afraid of change. She peacefully stood up for herself, and the fair treatment of others. Her refusal to give up her seat sparked a movement, and changed the rules of segregation in her town. Though change didn't happen right away, it did happen.
Rosa Parks is proof of how one person can inspire others, and bring about change. She's proof that no matter what, always stand up for yourself, and what you believe in. No matter how many times Rosa Parks was told no, or treated unfairly, she never let that get her down. She stood unmovable. She stood strong for what's right. I have always admired the courage and bravery that Rosa Parks had. Not just to defy the law, and what society at the time deemed acceptable (which it wasn't), she stood for what Thomas Jefferson long ago wrote, that we're all created equal.
"The only tired I was, was tired of giving in." - Rosa Parks
Rose Parks is an incredible example of how an ordinary person can do extraordinary things. Like every book in this fabulous series, at the end of the story is a quote, along with pictures, and facts about this incredible person! This is another fantastic book to pick up and add to your personal, classroom or public library.
Full Review here http://mundiekids.blogspot.com/2016/0...
February 3, 2025
I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer ✊🏾📖✨
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
This inspiring children’s book tells the story of Rosa Parks, the brave woman who refused to give up her bus seat and sparked a movement. 🚌❌
Her courage helped change history, proving that one person’s stand can make a difference. 💪🏾🔥
With simple language and engaging illustrations, young readers learn about equality, standing up for what’s right, and never backing down. ❤️🖤💛
📚 Perfect for little activists and future history makers! 🌎🚀
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
This inspiring children’s book tells the story of Rosa Parks, the brave woman who refused to give up her bus seat and sparked a movement. 🚌❌
Her courage helped change history, proving that one person’s stand can make a difference. 💪🏾🔥
With simple language and engaging illustrations, young readers learn about equality, standing up for what’s right, and never backing down. ❤️🖤💛
📚 Perfect for little activists and future history makers! 🌎🚀
November 2, 2015
I LOVED this book! I am Rosa Parks is the wonderful biography told in kid friendly language about the brave Rosa Parks and the events that led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Civil Rights movement for equality and desegregation. It is told from Rosa Park's point of view. It is a blend of graphic novel with narrative and at the end of the book it has real life pictures. I loved how it tells us about Rosa Parks and her various incidents in her life and how she stood up for herself in a very respectable manner.
This biography explains segregation with pictures, which is always very interesting to see how not long ago, things were not the same as they are now. This is an inspiring biography about fighting for your beliefs and making a difference!
This book is great for children in grades 3-5, it could be used in grades beyond that too. I am Rosa Parks is great for a real aloud and to have a wonderful class discussion after reading. It can be read during Black History month, while reading about civil rights activists or just at any time of the year if you want to inspire and read something that is part of our history.
This was truly an amazing book that should be part of every teacher's library!
This biography explains segregation with pictures, which is always very interesting to see how not long ago, things were not the same as they are now. This is an inspiring biography about fighting for your beliefs and making a difference!
This book is great for children in grades 3-5, it could be used in grades beyond that too. I am Rosa Parks is great for a real aloud and to have a wonderful class discussion after reading. It can be read during Black History month, while reading about civil rights activists or just at any time of the year if you want to inspire and read something that is part of our history.
This was truly an amazing book that should be part of every teacher's library!
Read
April 8, 2025Galen read on April 8, 2025.
Read
February 15, 2022Text-to-World
I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer is a great book for older students. This book gave a back story of who Rosa Parks was and how she was raised. I liked how she said that to make change it can take a very long time. This helped bring a realistic mindset to goals for students. You may want something, but I am not going to come as quickly as you may want. Rosa Parks made a stand many many years ago that is still making an impact today. Hard work is not executed in a day, it's a lifetime of scarifice.
I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer is a great book for older students. This book gave a back story of who Rosa Parks was and how she was raised. I liked how she said that to make change it can take a very long time. This helped bring a realistic mindset to goals for students. You may want something, but I am not going to come as quickly as you may want. Rosa Parks made a stand many many years ago that is still making an impact today. Hard work is not executed in a day, it's a lifetime of scarifice.
December 18, 2017
Who says biographies are inaccessible old stuffy stories read only by adults?
"I am Rosa Parks" is a lively, engaging story aimed at elementary school readers. If more of these existed when I was a child, I might have developed the habit of reading biographies instead of fiction.
The story captures a time different from today and should be read with the supervision of adults to explain the differences, why things changed, and how we work on making the changes stick. This is very much a HISTORY book.
Two issues:
One, the ongoing "hooray, less school - school bad" found so often in children books. I don't think this attitude should be endorsed or pushed - children will develop it on their own if the adults are not doing the education thing right. The story lightly touches on the kids having to work when not in school. If teaching with the book, I highly recommend making the children aware of why child labor laws exist and what children did before school was a thing. Only five months of school meant seven months in the fields.
Two, the initial story from Ms. Parks childhood to get the young readers to identify with her with her being pushed and then "I pushed back", may be problematic, especially if the child(ren) being read to already has an issue with physical confrontation. Again needs supervision.
So much context for this book is not available to today's child. I don't know if this subject can OR SHOULD be made accessible to young children who don't really see color. By fifth grade though, totally needed.
A challenge is finding ANY biographies on females and/or blacks. But this twelve book series on "ordinary people" is changing some of that. Seven of the books are biographies on females, and six are people of color.
Teacher curriculum help for the series can be found here:
http://www.ordinarypeoplechangethewor...
AMENDMENT: After sleeping on this review, I downgraded the stars from four to two. The book requires too much intervention, too much supervision for the appropriate age level. The point of a book at the age level aimed at this book is to give and go, at least after the first read, and it just *doesn't work* for its intended purpose. The two issues mentioned above are part of the deal breakers.
"I am Rosa Parks" is a lively, engaging story aimed at elementary school readers. If more of these existed when I was a child, I might have developed the habit of reading biographies instead of fiction.
The story captures a time different from today and should be read with the supervision of adults to explain the differences, why things changed, and how we work on making the changes stick. This is very much a HISTORY book.
Two issues:
One, the ongoing "hooray, less school - school bad" found so often in children books. I don't think this attitude should be endorsed or pushed - children will develop it on their own if the adults are not doing the education thing right. The story lightly touches on the kids having to work when not in school. If teaching with the book, I highly recommend making the children aware of why child labor laws exist and what children did before school was a thing. Only five months of school meant seven months in the fields.
Two, the initial story from Ms. Parks childhood to get the young readers to identify with her with her being pushed and then "I pushed back", may be problematic, especially if the child(ren) being read to already has an issue with physical confrontation. Again needs supervision.
So much context for this book is not available to today's child. I don't know if this subject can OR SHOULD be made accessible to young children who don't really see color. By fifth grade though, totally needed.
A challenge is finding ANY biographies on females and/or blacks. But this twelve book series on "ordinary people" is changing some of that. Seven of the books are biographies on females, and six are people of color.
Teacher curriculum help for the series can be found here:
http://www.ordinarypeoplechangethewor...
AMENDMENT: After sleeping on this review, I downgraded the stars from four to two. The book requires too much intervention, too much supervision for the appropriate age level. The point of a book at the age level aimed at this book is to give and go, at least after the first read, and it just *doesn't work* for its intended purpose. The two issues mentioned above are part of the deal breakers.
March 20, 2015
Ruth and the Green Book
By Calvin Alexander Ramsey
Copyright: 2010
Historical Fiction
Rationale and Connections for Twin Text:
*Both have strong female characters.
*Both are set in the 1950’s South during the time of the Jim Crow Laws of discrimination.
*Both reveal the pain of discrimination.
*Both reveal strength in the face of hardships.
Text Structure of nonfiction book:
*Chronological Order: Tells the story of Rosa’s life and provides a timeline.
*Cause and Effect: Clearly tells how the actions (causes) of some effect the lives of others.
*Problem and Solution: It takes much hard work, sacrifice, and many years, but solutions do come.
*Question and Answer: Answers the when, how and why of Rosa and Ruth’s lives during the 1950’s.
Strategy Application:
*Before the reading, discuss historical fiction vs. nonfiction and record a list of characteristics of each on an anchor chart for future reference.
AND/OR
*Before the reading, discuss "cause and effect" explaining cause is the first thing that happens and effect the second thing that happens.
*Throughout the reading stop to ask: What happened here first? What happened second?
*After the reading, create a Venn Diagram - to compare and contrast Rosa and Ruth or the Green Book to the Montgomery Bus Boycott
*After the reading, guide students to research for more facts about the 1950's, the 1960's and The Civil Rights Movement, famous people during that time frame, etc.
Teacher or Student Book Talks on other books with similar historical themes:
*I Have a Dream by Nelson (2012)
*Brown Girl Dreaming by Woodson (2014)
*The Story of Ruby Bridges by Coles (2010)
*One Crazy Summer by Williams-Garcia (2011)
By Calvin Alexander Ramsey
Copyright: 2010
Historical Fiction
Rationale and Connections for Twin Text:
*Both have strong female characters.
*Both are set in the 1950’s South during the time of the Jim Crow Laws of discrimination.
*Both reveal the pain of discrimination.
*Both reveal strength in the face of hardships.
Text Structure of nonfiction book:
*Chronological Order: Tells the story of Rosa’s life and provides a timeline.
*Cause and Effect: Clearly tells how the actions (causes) of some effect the lives of others.
*Problem and Solution: It takes much hard work, sacrifice, and many years, but solutions do come.
*Question and Answer: Answers the when, how and why of Rosa and Ruth’s lives during the 1950’s.
Strategy Application:
*Before the reading, discuss historical fiction vs. nonfiction and record a list of characteristics of each on an anchor chart for future reference.
AND/OR
*Before the reading, discuss "cause and effect" explaining cause is the first thing that happens and effect the second thing that happens.
*Throughout the reading stop to ask: What happened here first? What happened second?
*After the reading, create a Venn Diagram - to compare and contrast Rosa and Ruth or the Green Book to the Montgomery Bus Boycott
*After the reading, guide students to research for more facts about the 1950's, the 1960's and The Civil Rights Movement, famous people during that time frame, etc.
Teacher or Student Book Talks on other books with similar historical themes:
*I Have a Dream by Nelson (2012)
*Brown Girl Dreaming by Woodson (2014)
*The Story of Ruby Bridges by Coles (2010)
*One Crazy Summer by Williams-Garcia (2011)
November 29, 2016
I am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer is a part of the Ordinary People Change the World series. This biography, along with the others in the series, is an engaging way for children to learn about the history and lives of people who have had such an outstanding impact on our world today. This is a wow book for me because of the way it is written in a friendly, conversational way. This really bring the books to life for younger children.
I purchased this book through Scholastic for my classroom library and so many of my students have gravitated towards it. My students have shown interest towards this book because of the way it seems similar to a comic book. While reading this book, students are always eager to share some new and interesting facts that they have learned about Rosa Park’s life. Students also love to contrast how her life is different from our life today.
This book has been used as an independent reading book in my second grade classroom this far into the school year. During the second quarter, my class will be focusing on biographies and written reports. I am Rosa Parks will be a book that I read aloud to the class to introduce biographies and discuss the importance of them.
I purchased this book through Scholastic for my classroom library and so many of my students have gravitated towards it. My students have shown interest towards this book because of the way it seems similar to a comic book. While reading this book, students are always eager to share some new and interesting facts that they have learned about Rosa Park’s life. Students also love to contrast how her life is different from our life today.
This book has been used as an independent reading book in my second grade classroom this far into the school year. During the second quarter, my class will be focusing on biographies and written reports. I am Rosa Parks will be a book that I read aloud to the class to introduce biographies and discuss the importance of them.
August 17, 2019
I can't wait to give this book to my granddaughter!
Some of the reviewers have commented on how confusing it is that Rosa is drawn as a child throughout the book. I think with the target age group that this book is obviously for, that is a non-issue. I've never had my kids, when they were younger, wonder why the character isn't getting older in the illustrations. Plus, the pictures are just there to get the child engaged - the text is where the heart of the story is.
This is a great, simply written, telling of Rosa Parks, both as a child and an adult. It not only explains what she did, but why she did it, which really is the important part of the story.
My granddaughter has one grandparent who is black, so I think it is important for her to understand some of the history of that side of the family and what they have had to go through.
Some of the reviewers have commented on how confusing it is that Rosa is drawn as a child throughout the book. I think with the target age group that this book is obviously for, that is a non-issue. I've never had my kids, when they were younger, wonder why the character isn't getting older in the illustrations. Plus, the pictures are just there to get the child engaged - the text is where the heart of the story is.
This is a great, simply written, telling of Rosa Parks, both as a child and an adult. It not only explains what she did, but why she did it, which really is the important part of the story.
My granddaughter has one grandparent who is black, so I think it is important for her to understand some of the history of that side of the family and what they have had to go through.
November 1, 2016
This is the second book I've read in this Brad Meltzer biography series for kids. He does an exceptional job, and the mixture of text and graphic-novel-like speech clouds has been a surefire hit for all the kids I've shared these books with. This one is more about the civil rights movement including Rosa Parks' huge part in it than her actual life (not a problem) - it's a wonderful overview and starting place for young kids on the roots of the civil right movement! Real photos of Ms. Parks at the end.
February 4, 2019
As part of @BLMAtSchool week I am reading "I am Rosa Parks" to my K-2 students.
Part of the Ordinary People Change The World series, each book tells and engaging story of one of America’s icons in a way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers. A great segue to the Who Was biography series.
This series is the perfect way to bring American history to life for young children, providing them with the right role models and inspiring them to dream big, because each of these hero's started off as ordinary children, just like them.
Part of the Ordinary People Change The World series, each book tells and engaging story of one of America’s icons in a way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers. A great segue to the Who Was biography series.
This series is the perfect way to bring American history to life for young children, providing them with the right role models and inspiring them to dream big, because each of these hero's started off as ordinary children, just like them.
January 30, 2019
A picture book biography of Rosa Parks, one of the books in the Ordinary People Change the World series. The fact that Rosa Parks looks like a child throughout the book, even when she has grown up, is confusing. The use of first-person narration as well as the invented dialogue place this book in an odd hybrid category blending fact with fiction, perhaps most appropriately labelled as historical fiction rather than biography.
December 9, 2016
I love the way this story is told. The illustrations are great and I really think young kids will be inspired to stand up for themselves and what they think is right.
I want to read the rest of the series!
I want to read the rest of the series!
September 14, 2019
This book is written in the first person and because of that, this book resonated with my kids in a way that other Rosa Parks books haven’t. We also had good conversations about good intentions vs bad intentions and standing up for yourself and others. My kids love this book!
January 22, 2015
Excellent book about Rosa Parks! The book teaches kids to stand up for themselves when someone is mistreating them.
February 7, 2018
Got goose bumps reading this. Sparked an important conversation with my 4 & 6 year old.
February 25, 2019
This is a wonderfully written biography about Rosa Parks that I would read to my 4th and 5th grade students. This book does a great job of encapsulating and informing all ages of readers in the admirable life of Rosa Parks. It accurately and appropriately displays the struggles she and many others underwent during that time due to the color of their skin. Not only is this book well-written, but it is also beautifully illustrated. The images in this book do a great job at showcasing the hardships African Americans faced during the Civil Rights Movement. To finish it off, there is a simple timeline in the back of the book that could be used as an instructive tool or just to summarize the events you just read about in the book.
There are so many different ways you could use this book in your classroom! Of course, this book covers two content areas of ELA and Social Studies. Focusing on the Civil Rights Movement and the important impact that Rosa Parks had on our nation, one of the first activities I would do after reading is to give my students the chance to discuss some of the following questions:
-What motivated Rosa Parks to refuse to give up her bus seat?
-How did Rosa Parks’ actions contribute to the Civil Rights Movement?
-If you were Rosa Parks, what would you have done when told to move to the back of the bus? Why?
-Do you think that activists like Rosa Parks are important in fighting injustices today? Do you know of some other leaders like her?
-What impact did Rosa Parks have on todays society and the way we treat people?
-How could you be an activist like Rosa Parks?
Then I might have my students do a quick-write about how Rosa Parks has inspired them to stand up for what they believe is right and why. You could even use this as a form to teach comprehension strategies. For example, throughout their reading they could also be writing down some questions, thoughts, or inferences they might be making while reading.
You could also have your students reflect on a time when they felt they (or someone else they knew) were excluded on an unfair basis and why. Then, they can place themselves in the role of being an activist, just like Rosa Parks, where they write a letter to the person or organization responsible. They could also write a poem addressing how they felt.
In addition, you could turn this into a Social Studies lesson where you discuss what civil rights are, who has access to them, how they are protected under the law, and how Rosa Parks made a change in the law by refusing to give up her seat on the bus.
This book is a WOW book for so many reasons. First of all, I love the message behind this book. I think it so important for students to know about the people that have come before them and how their actions contributed to our lives today. I think one of the best ways to teach students about history is to teach them about the people who were there during it. I hope by introducing my students to a book like this they would feel inspired to make a difference in our classroom, school, community, or world! In addition, I think it addresses some of the main issues of the Civil Rights Movement beautifully. The final reason I love this book is because of the incredible graphics on each page. They are so fun to look at while reading and I really think they help readers comprehend what it is they are reading about and the emotions behind it.
There are so many different ways you could use this book in your classroom! Of course, this book covers two content areas of ELA and Social Studies. Focusing on the Civil Rights Movement and the important impact that Rosa Parks had on our nation, one of the first activities I would do after reading is to give my students the chance to discuss some of the following questions:
-What motivated Rosa Parks to refuse to give up her bus seat?
-How did Rosa Parks’ actions contribute to the Civil Rights Movement?
-If you were Rosa Parks, what would you have done when told to move to the back of the bus? Why?
-Do you think that activists like Rosa Parks are important in fighting injustices today? Do you know of some other leaders like her?
-What impact did Rosa Parks have on todays society and the way we treat people?
-How could you be an activist like Rosa Parks?
Then I might have my students do a quick-write about how Rosa Parks has inspired them to stand up for what they believe is right and why. You could even use this as a form to teach comprehension strategies. For example, throughout their reading they could also be writing down some questions, thoughts, or inferences they might be making while reading.
You could also have your students reflect on a time when they felt they (or someone else they knew) were excluded on an unfair basis and why. Then, they can place themselves in the role of being an activist, just like Rosa Parks, where they write a letter to the person or organization responsible. They could also write a poem addressing how they felt.
In addition, you could turn this into a Social Studies lesson where you discuss what civil rights are, who has access to them, how they are protected under the law, and how Rosa Parks made a change in the law by refusing to give up her seat on the bus.
This book is a WOW book for so many reasons. First of all, I love the message behind this book. I think it so important for students to know about the people that have come before them and how their actions contributed to our lives today. I think one of the best ways to teach students about history is to teach them about the people who were there during it. I hope by introducing my students to a book like this they would feel inspired to make a difference in our classroom, school, community, or world! In addition, I think it addresses some of the main issues of the Civil Rights Movement beautifully. The final reason I love this book is because of the incredible graphics on each page. They are so fun to look at while reading and I really think they help readers comprehend what it is they are reading about and the emotions behind it.
February 11, 2020
"I Am Rosa Parks", is one of my many WOW books that I truly enjoyed reading in class this semester. I liked how this book shows the importance of a person being courageous and strong no matter what size and gender they are. This picture book is a great way to introduce students to powerful women that had a huge impact on our society, and allows them to look up to amazing role models such as Rosa Parks.
This book can be geared towards a third and fourth grade level as a great biography about females who impacted the world we live in today. I really found it interesting how this book puts a biography in a short and fun way with some comic sections, that children of different ages could enjoy (8-9 years). I believe this book can be used with students to form discussions about the importance of bravery and hardworking. Rosa Parks was very small in size, poor, and was treated very bad and despite that kept fighting for her right to be treated like a human. Moreover this book can provide a relation from text to self , where student's can connect to a time the felt brave and stood up for themselves, and also when they felt they were treated poorly.
This book can be geared towards a third and fourth grade level as a great biography about females who impacted the world we live in today. I really found it interesting how this book puts a biography in a short and fun way with some comic sections, that children of different ages could enjoy (8-9 years). I believe this book can be used with students to form discussions about the importance of bravery and hardworking. Rosa Parks was very small in size, poor, and was treated very bad and despite that kept fighting for her right to be treated like a human. Moreover this book can provide a relation from text to self , where student's can connect to a time the felt brave and stood up for themselves, and also when they felt they were treated poorly.
April 16, 2020
Text to teaching
Black History Month
The story of Rosa Parks can complicate Kindergarten students, and this is an excellent book about her story to introduce the topic and help ensure that students know exactly what happened. After reading the story to the students, I will ask the students questions about the story and if they think the bus boycott was a good idea and why they feel boycott worked. During the art class, give the students a black and white copy of pictures of Rosa Parks bus boycott and have them paint it in watercolors. This activity allows the students to reflect on the story and improve fine motor skills.
Black History Month
The story of Rosa Parks can complicate Kindergarten students, and this is an excellent book about her story to introduce the topic and help ensure that students know exactly what happened. After reading the story to the students, I will ask the students questions about the story and if they think the bus boycott was a good idea and why they feel boycott worked. During the art class, give the students a black and white copy of pictures of Rosa Parks bus boycott and have them paint it in watercolors. This activity allows the students to reflect on the story and improve fine motor skills.
June 24, 2022
Lovely book for young children carrying messages about treating everyone with respect, daring to stand up for what your heart tells you is right, and how ordinary people can help change the world. I do wish it contained the vital bit of Rosa Parks' bio that she did not act randomly nor alone when refusing to sit at the back of the bus: the Highlander Center trained her in effective civil rights and this was actually planned. I think that should be more widely known, as its deliberately planned collectivity adds to the power of this action.
February 6, 2022
Apart from the obvious fact that kids really enjoy the comic style of these books, in this one in particular I found a lot of opportunities to do some deeper digging. The story about Rosa and the boy with the roller skates at the beginning allows for good discussions on author’s craft (why did the author choose to include this specific story? What does it tell us about Rosa?), character traits, and theme.
June 13, 2017
This is a biography written as if Rosa Parks was telling her story herself. This book tells her story while also telling the story of segregation. The story describes the different drinking fountains, schools, etc for the different races and then talks about what Rosa Parks did for people of her race and what it resulted in.
I thought this book was very well written in a way that kids would be able to understand without getting frightened of that time. I think it also did a very good job explaining what she did and why she did it. I thought the words on the pages were divided up nicely and it would be an easy read for an advanced reader while still being challenging but not impossible for the reader that is in between beginner and intermediate.
I thought this book was very well written in a way that kids would be able to understand without getting frightened of that time. I think it also did a very good job explaining what she did and why she did it. I thought the words on the pages were divided up nicely and it would be an easy read for an advanced reader while still being challenging but not impossible for the reader that is in between beginner and intermediate.
December 8, 2020
I read this as part of Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge and am not the intended audience but still very good. I appreciated that Meltzer clarified that Rosa Parks's act of defiance was intentional. She acted with purpose and agency to create the change that she and other Civil Rights leaders wanted to bring about. Good lesson for children that "ordinary" people can change the world.
March 2, 2023
عنوان ترجمهٔ فارسی: این منم رزا پارکس
(مجموعه کتابهای آدمهای معمولی جهان را تغییر میدهند!)
(مجموعه کتابهای آدمهای معمولی جهان را تغییر میدهند!)
April 12, 2023
kalenić ulov i knjige za decu, zauvek!
February 20, 2022
My favorite; child's least favorite.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 422 reviews