Who Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott?: Rosa Parks

Who HQ Graphic Novel Series

by Insha Fitzpatrick, Who H.Q., Abelle Hayford (Illustrator)

Discover the story behind Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott in this compelling graphic novel -- written by Oh My Gods! author Insha Fitzpatrick and illustrated by #DrawingWhileBlack organizer Abelle Hayford.

Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: an exciting new addition to the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Who Was? series!

From refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger to sparking civil rights protests across America, explore how Rosa Parks's powerful act earned her the title Mother of the Civil Rights Movement. A story of resistance, strength, and unwavering spirit, this graphic novel invites readers to immerse themselves in the life of the American Civil Rights leader -- brought to life by gripping narrative and vivid full-color illustrations that jump off the page.

Genres: Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, History, Comics, Race, Biography

64 pages, Paperback

First published December 21, 2021

About the author

☀ Cancer | ↑Capricorn | ☾ Gemini
She/They

Insha Fitzpatrick is a New Jersey-based writer and editor.

She’s the founder of DIS/MEMBER, a horror genre website.

She’s the writer of the upcoming Who Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott: Rosa Parks for WHO HQ, illustrated by Abelle Hayford. She’s also the co-writer of the middle-grade graphic novel series Oh My Gods (Etch) with Stephanie Cooke and illustrator Juliana Moon.

Her bylines include Geek.com, Birth.Movies.Death, Women Write About Comics, Frederator Studios, and more. She giggles on the podcast Film Runners. She also wrote the game “The Pollution of Conatha” in Uncaged Anthology Vol. 2, 2019.

When she’s not writing, she’s watching horror movies or reality tv, deep-diving into all things true crime, and learning how to ink comics.

She’s rep’d by Maria Vicente of P.S Literary Agency.

Reviews

[Katy Boehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

In true “Who Was…” fashion, the graphic novel was short but filled with information. I liked that the book focused a lot on Rosa Park’s perspective rather than just on information about her.

[Al Capwned · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's cute but it's too educational, meaning there's a ton of exposition in the dialogue.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Presumably, most school children have heard the story of Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her bus seat and sparked the civil rights movement in Montgomery, Alabama. But there's more to her story and the movement than is typically covered in classrooms and children's books. This graphic version of that event, its inspiration, and the aftermath are covered in accessible fashion in this recent entry to the WHO HQ history series featuring important individuals who changed the world in some way. In these pages, readers learn about the threats and harassment Rosa faced and how the bus boycott was organized after her arrest. There is a timeline of events included as well as details about Jim Crow laws, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Montgomery Improvement Association, and Claudette Colvin, another young activist who also refused to move from her seat on another bus before Rosa took her stand. Fans of civil rights history and those who are just dipping their toes into it will find the book interesting and a good introduction to the topic, especially because of its format and accessibility.

[Emily Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The biography book for my nonfiction book pair is a graphic novel about Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. It starts with a brief summary of what happened to Rosa Parks, when she refused to give up her seat for a white man. It then turned into a graphic novel, which simply explained what happened while Rosa was in jail, during her trial, how Martin Luther King, Jr. was involved, how the boycott started (MLK), and how Parks and the other black rights activists changed the future for all people of color. I loved how it was in simple enough terms for children to understand, but also told the real truth of the story, including the NAACP, jail bonds, and more. The illustrations were perfect for the story because they looked realistic and you could tell that Parks actually looked like herself as well as MLK. I think children would greatly enjoy the illustrations, as well as the book itself. I would use this book in 3rd-5th grade. It would be a great addition to black history month or a lesson specifically on Rosa Parks. It could definitely be paired with a similar type of book about MLK or another historic figure.

[Kryssy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first who hq graphic novel and I enjoyed it. We got more than just spitting facts. We got to see the whole process and her interactions with her husband. She was acting for the greater population

- Rosa was sitting in the “black and white section” when another white man came on so she was asked to move to the “black section”
- Want Rosa to file a lawsuit
- Mention claudette colvin
- Boycott the bus company and other businesses
- Her mom doesn’t think she should test the system
- Contact key people to help make the entire black population aware
- MLKJ helped with Rosa
- Carpools and cheap taxi prices to help
- Rosa doesn’t tell her side in court
- Want to be found guilty to go to Supreme Court
- Rosa and husband both lost jobs because of the boycott
- Try to charge boycott leaders with conspiracy
- Ignorant reporters still thinking that black people are like dirt
- However, some white people helped with carpools
- Supreme Court found the segregation to be unconstitutional
- Moved her family to michigan because couldn’t find work
- Died in the 21st century (??!!) and became the first woman buried in the capital building

[Shan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was overall a very well-done book, but there were a few small details I didn't really care for. The main thing that I didn't like so much was the language. I understand that writing about court cases in books made for younger readers can be difficult, but I think that certain words could have been changed to simpler terms to make for a less confusing reading experience.
Other than that, though, I think that this book gives a very thorough lesson on the Montgomery Bus Boycott and builds a great foundation on the topic.

[Hinnah Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative! Great book explaining Rosa parks story with just enough information to understand what happened, why, the key points in the trial and boycott, along with key figures involved. The layout makes it well organized, illustrations are well done and are a great supplement to the story, and there’s a timeline of Rosa Parks’ life at the end as well.

[Hillary Scholz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very information heavy, which makes sense it's a non fiction book. I liked that they included the three other women who refused to give up their seats. That's an important detail that often gets overlooked when looking at the Bus Boycott and Parks' involvement.

Quick read and informational.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story about Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Gave several pieces of information that I had not known before. Loved the graphic novel history format of the book. Illustrations are excellent.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really does a great job breaking down life in America in the 1950s, and all the events that led up to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the aftermath. The books hits on all the key players of the time, including a great section on MLK. Jr.

[Paula Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Rosa Parks and how she made a difference in many lives just by saying no on the bus one day. It's her interesting story and how much it's made a difference to the world. Thank you Rosa Parks. This is worth reading.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one looked great in my GRAPHIC NOVEL square on my Black History Month Book BINGO. It would have fit in the SET IN ALABAMA square nicely, too.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tells young people about the events leading up to and during the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955-1956. Graphic novel format and easy to understand.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This brief yet informative graphic novel about an important figure should appeal to the big "Who Was" crowd of readers.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty basic recap of the Montgomery boycotts, but it's very accessible.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are a lot of fun to read.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Lucy G · Rating 5 out of 5]

It turns out it taught me a lot! It’s a cool combo, fun, and educational way to experience Rosa’s life.😇

[Alivia Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was good but it has a lot of details i already know about this amazing person.

[Krys · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[Alyssa Ferguson]

I love this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice illustrations, contains information on more than just Rosa Parks

[Michael Daines · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5)

Seems like a great introduction for elementary school kids.

[Megan Royce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended for Ages 8-12, Grades 3-6. This graphic novel is very text-heavy, with lengthy word bubbles on each panel, but the content is very appropriate for this age range as the text is easy to read at these grade levels.

Who Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott?: Rosa Parks takes readers through the events that led up to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, including Rosa Parks’ arrest, trial, and appeal. In addition to “real-time” events in the story, the segmented timeline of the book is broken up by information pages that give additional context to the events.

I really enjoyed this take on Rosa’s story and the Civil Rights Movement as a whole. This book is such a great way to learn about Rosa Parks and her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. Her story is one we hear over and over again in history classes, but reading about it in this format gave it a more personal feel. Readers are able to see a more humanized side to Rosa and her family, as well as to the movement itself, rather than just the heroically celebrated name.