Unstoppable John: How John Lewis Got His Library Card--and Helped Change History

by Pat Zietlow Miller, Jerry Jordan (illustrator)

A poignant picture book biography on how John Lewis got his library card and helped change history.All John Lewis wanted was a library card, but in 1956, libraries were only for white people.That didn't seem fair to John, and so he spent a lifetime advocating for change and fighting against unfair laws until the laws changed. Finally, black people could eat at restaurants, see movies, vote in elections, and even get library cards. With an in-depth author's note, a timeline of John Lewis's life, and a lengthy list of resources, Unstoppable John, illustrated by Jerry Jordan and written by New York Times bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller, explores the profound impact John had on the world and that books had on him.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 7, 2025

About the author

Pat Zietlow Miller knew she wanted to be a writer ever since her seventh-grade English teacher read her paper about square-dancing skirts out loud in class and said: “This is the first time anything a student has written has given me chills.” (Thanks, Mrs. Mueller! You rock!)

Pat started out as a newspaper reporter and wrote about everything from dartball and deer-hunting to diets and decoupage. Then, she joined an insurance company and edited its newsletter and magazine.

Now, she writes insurance information by day and children’s books by night. She has 11 picture books available and 12 more that will be coming out in the next few years.

Her books in print are: SOPHIE’S SQUASH, WHEREVER YOU GO, SHARING THE BREAD, THE QUICKEST KID IN CLARKSVILLE, SOPHIE'S SQUASH GO TO SCHOOL, WIDE-AWAKE BEAR, LORETTA'S GIFT, BE KIND, REMARKABLY YOU, MY BROTHER THE DUCK and WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE.

Pat has one wonderful husband, two delightful daughters and two pampered cats. She doesn’t watch much TV, but she does love "Chopped." Pat lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just a beautiful book. The words and the paintings really bring to life the experiences of John Lewis. When John was sixteen years old, he had read most everything he could read. He didn’t have many books in his house, so he tried to go to the library to get some. Now, John knew that he would probably not be able to get a library card because of the color of his skin. That was how things were, not so very long ago. And he didn’t get a card. But he kept on reading whatever he could. And he kept on fighting for equal rights whenever he could. He did not stop. His whole life, he never stopped fighting to make the world better. A lovely and important book. Thank you, John Lewis. And thank you to Pat Zietlow Miller and Jerry Jordan for this book!

Mia’s Year of Books: Day 329

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Picture Book

A really moving picture book about John Lewis. The story of John Lewis’ attachment to books and the library is told in a straight simple way that is clear and engaging at the same time. A good book to read.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring story that acknowledges the public library’s racist past.

[Dawn Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Lewis has always been someone I have admired, looked up to, and considered a true American hero. This children's non-fiction book, in picture book format, uses a small but pivotal event during John Lewis' teenage years as the impetus for his life-long mission to work for equality, access, and dignity for the Black community.
The book is written by well known, and prolific, WI children's author, Pat Zietlow Miller, and illustrated by Madison artist, Jerry Jordan; I'm looking forward to seeing them both in person tomorrow as they talk about their collaboration on the book!!

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The power of a library card is unstoppable. John Lewis best known for his faithful service in Civil Rights, serving the state of Georgia in the House of Representatives, and his faith, was also a voracious reader. At the age of sixteen, he approached his local public library for a card and passport to the books contained within. He was denied. Forty two years later and the toil of the movement, a card was granted him. This book has beautiful images that provide possibilities for justice.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

While there have been several biographies about Lewis, this offers a twist that librarians will love. After being denied a public library card in Virginia in 1956, Lewis embarked upon a storied career in helping to push boundaries and expand rights for Black citizens. He was glad to be able to access libraries and books in college, but there were other experiences that were denied to Black citizens. He and his colleagues staged protests at lunch counters, participated in protests, and worked to change the unfair laws. He even married a librarian! Lewis was always a great supporter of libraries; I saw him speak at the winter meeting of the American Library Association in Atlanta, Georgia in 2018.

There is a lot of information in this picture book, although it is not so long that it couldn't be read aloud. For readers who don't know as much about Civil Rights history, there's plenty of explanation about what the world was like during this time period. A timeline at the back, and an author's note, sheds more light on Lewis' life.

Jordan's interior illustrations have an almost pointilistic feeling to them, and lots of bright colors set against sky blue backgrounds, since many of the scenes are outdoors. They were painted in oil on canvas, and I noticed the textured background right away. Since so many books are designed on computers, this was a nice change!

Since Lewis' death at the age of 80 in 2020, there has been a renewed interest in the Civil Rights figure behind the graphic novel series March. Include Miller and Jordan's new title with the Ransomes' Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis and Patrick's John Lewis: Ready-to-Read Level 3 for young readers who want to know more about this influential historical figure.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out this January, Pat Zietlow Miller has written a must-read for all who remember this famous American and want to revisit his spectacular life of fighting for justice for his people. If you haven't read another book about the persistent John Lewis, this one will show his beginnings, when he so wanted more books, could not afford them, and could not get a library card! Miller shares this as his first protest. We should all remember there were many during his lifetime who tirelessly worked for what was right for all Black Americans. At twenty-three years old, he was the youngest speaker at the March on Washington! Jerry Jordan's paintings give the story authenticity to Lewis' powerful story, showing the many kinds of protests along with those who hated the work to gain the rights to eat in a restaurant, sit at the front of buses, vote, and more! I loved the double-page spread of an older Lewis, surrounded by the books he loved, and reading! There's an author's note and a timeline of his life that adds to the book's text. It will inspire more learning about his life.

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

John loved to read. All he really wanted was a library card so he could read more. Maybe he wanted more than that, but something as simple as being allowed to check out books is the root of his life’s mission in this book. Who doesn’t love going to the library and being able to read so many different books. It’s the great American gift. Tihe library can be an equalizing tool.

Anyway, so the library would give him a card and he couldn’t check out books. This began John’s life of doing his part to change the world. This book only lightly touches on all the troubles he goes through. It’s mostly how he worked for change and after 42 years, he finally got his library card.

This man helped change America for the better. I was sad to see him go. Our politics missed someone like him.

The artwork is oil on canvas. It’s nice artwork. There is some struggle in it and a bit of justice.

Kids looking for real-life heroes and kids interested in civil rights will enjoy this book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to imagine a time when not everyone could have a library card, but this is the story of just such a time. John Lewis loved to read and wanted more than anything to read lots of books, but his family didn’t have money to buy them. He could go the the library where he’d find more books than he could possibly ever read, but he had a problem. The library only allowed white people to borrow books, and John was black. The library turned him down.

This is such an important book to share with your children at home or in the classroom. It not only describes John’s frustration about the library, but also his work to peacefully pass the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. The story will surprise children and provides many opportunities to talk about living in the US before the passage of the laws. It’s one you don’t want to miss!

[Anitra Rowe Schulte · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Unstoppable John" is a powerful picture book biography, which captures the persistence and important contributions of trailblazing politician John Lewis. In this story, readers meet John as a child, as he faces numerous obstacles reflective of racism in America during the Civil Rights Movement. One such barrier is that John isn't allowed to get a library card in his community. But that doesn't stop him and his friends for working for the rights that they deserve. "Unstoppable John" clearly and directly reflects the biases that John faced, and how literature played a pivotal role in John's life story.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book biography tells a powerful story, and the illustrations are great. I am especially impressed with what a great job the author did keeping the topic limited and defined enough for a short, read-aloud picture book, while also including clear historical background information for kids who are unfamiliar with John Lewis and the Civil Rights Movement. This will appeal to people who admire John Lewis, and is an excellent introduction for kids to this historical hero and the struggle for equal rights.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Lewis is one of my heroes, and I love reading books that share his story. This one begins with a powerful moment from his childhood—being denied a library card at his public library because of the color of his skin. That moment becomes the starting point for a moving account of his lifelong dedication to justice and equality. The story comes full circle when he is finally honored with a library card from that very library. His remarkable life reminds us that no matter how small our role may seem, every action we take has the power to change lives.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of this please.

From the endpages with the adorable John and a stack of books to the circular story about how John was denied a library card from Pike County Library based on the color of his skin that he spent his whole life fighting for equality only to receive a note and a library card from that same library many years later-- able to celebrate a country that he changed history from within it's borders. John wanted to read books, then came to write books (about his journey), and now others write stories about him as well.

A moving tribute to a pillar of a scholar.

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book biography about an incredible Civil Rights activist that falls flat because of the vagueness of its text. It's important that juvenile nonfiction uses age-appropriate language and concepts in relaying history, but I felt that the author did her audience a disservice by stripping the story of details specific to John Lewis like the state he grew up in, the leaders and educators who influenced him as a young man, and the names of the literary awards he won throughout his life.

[Suzanne Hathon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick read but beautifully illustrated and written. The message is deeply humbling - how did he manage to do so much good in the face of so much bigotry and hatred? Educational, hopeful — complete with a full circle moment — and beautiful. I’m glad this sits in my community library but I plan to add it to my personal one.

[Sophia Sowle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the empowering story of John Lewis and how he got his library card in the south during segregation. This is a powerful story for young readers to hear to understand history and to understand the challenges people have faced. This would be a great book for black history month.

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars (I loved it)

This is a fantastic picture book biography. I love how it tells Lewis's story with a unique point of view (access to books). Of course, as a librarian, I definitely love the key role books and access to them played in this story. I highly recommend this one.

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is built as a story of John Lewis and the library and while it is that, it doesn't have as much focus on the library like I thought it would

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book showing the changes that John Lewis started all when he couldn’t get a library card bc he’s black. Author’s note, timeline, and resources at the end.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always fascinated with what angle writers will choose when writing about someone. I appreciate how more and more books are being written about John Lewis.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short bio of John Lewis that focuses on his actions around getting a library card. Also talks about a few other activist things he did. Great intro for younger kids to his legacy.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well done.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful tribute to a remarkable and inspiring gentle man!

[Mackenzie Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"They knew they were breaking laws. But they knew those laws were wrong."

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous biography that I used for John Lewis Black History Hero day in my class.

[E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read on audio. Besides the actual written story, it includes a detailed breakdown by timeline of the major events in his life and the books he wrote about them.

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Telling me I couldn't get a library card would kill a part of me- in John Lewis it made a hero.

[Melinda Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story about civil rights leader John Lewis and the part he played in history to help gain rights for black Americans.