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The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist Hardcover – Illustrated, January 17, 2017
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Nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks intended to go places and do things like anybody else.
So when she heard grown-ups talk about wiping out Birmingham’s segregation laws, she spoke up. As she listened to the preacher’s words, smooth as glass, she sat up tall. And when she heard the plan—picket those white stores! March to protest those unfair laws! Fill the jails!—she stepped right up and said, I’ll do it! She was going to j-a-a-il!
Audrey Faye Hendricks was confident and bold and brave as can be, and hers is the remarkable and inspiring story of one child’s role in the Civil Rights Movement.
- Print length40 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelKindergarten - 5
- Lexile measure720L
- Dimensions10 x 0.4 x 10 inches
- PublisherAtheneum Books for Young Readers
- Publication dateJanuary 17, 2017
- ISBN-101481400703
- ISBN-13978-1481400701
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
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*Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year*
*Carter G. Woodson Award*
*Julia Ward Howe Award*
*SCBWI Crystal Kite Award*
*Goodreads Choice Award Finalist*
*A United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Book Club Selection*
"It's one of the more shocking and little-known stories of the civil rights movement: In 1963, the City of Birmingham jailed hundreds of kids for joining the Children's March. Among them was 7-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks, taken from her family to spend a week behind bars, eating "oily grits" and sleeping on a bare mattress. Levinson and Newton keep her story bright and snappy, emphasizing the girl's eagerness to make a difference and her proud place in her community." ― The New York Times Book Review, February 12, 2017
"Readers can decide whether, were they in Audrey's shoes, they would make the same dangerous decision.... Levinson...carefully tailors her text to a level suitable to a younger audience. Newton's digital illustrations burst with color against a white background.... A vivid reminder that it took a community to fight segregation and the community responded." ― Kirkus Reviews, November 2016
"A significant portrayal of Audrey Faye Hendricks and the Children’s March." ― School Library Journal, November 2016
"Having honest and open discussions about race, tolerance, and acceptance from a very early age can set the stage for a much broader and deeper understanding of these issues as your child grows. Here [is a book] that can help spark these conversations.... The story of the youngest known civil rights protester in history will teach children that you’re never too small to stand up for what you believe in." ― Huffington Post, "20 Children’s Books To Spark Important Discussions About Race And Tolerance"
"Levinson returns to the subject of We’ve Got a Jobas she recounts, for a younger audience, the story of Audrey Faye Hendricks and her role in the 1963 Children’s March in Birmingham, Ala. Moving briskly through events, Levinson explains how the young Hendricks was eager to stand up to segregation, marching alongside thousands of fellow students, who were subsequently arrested. Newton’s bright, digitally assembled collages adeptly highlight the danger of the situation—grim cells, barbed-wire fences, children blasted with fire hoses—while emphasizing the power of the marchers’ collective efforts to push back against injustice." ― Publishers Weekly, December 2016
"Audrey’s third-person perspective is well represented and storytold, with short, punchy sentences especially vivid in conveying individual testimony and movement goals." ― The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, February 2017
"[This book] can introduce even the youngest children to the idea of rebellion in an age-appropriate and inspiring way. Give the princesses and pirates a rest and try these inspiring reads—just don’t be surprised if bedtime negotiations rise to a new level. Every activist has to start somewhere!.... The book tells the true story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, who was arrested at a civil rights protest in Birmingham, Ala., when she was 9 years old. In it, Audrey is introduced to stories about the Ku Klux Klan and police brutality, and she decides to join the protest. The compelling story about white supremacy and the civil rights era illustrates the courage and personal sacrifice that activism requires, and teaches kids why it matters." ― The Washington Post, "The best books for raising activist kids," March 10, 2017
"Levinson tells the true story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, the youngest participant in the 1963 Birmingham Children's March.... The well-paced text captures a child's voice and presents time and place realistically. Brightly colored digital collages clearly depict both the hopeful spirit and the rawer emotions of one community involved in the civil rights struggle; a double-page spread of Audrey curled up on a bare mattress in her jail cell is particularly effective." ― The Horn Book Magazine, May/June 2017
About the Author
Vanessa Brantley-Newton is a self-taught artist and has attended both FIT and SVA of New York, where she studied fashion and children’s illustration. Vanessa is the illustrator of A Night Out with Mama by Quvenzhané Wallis, The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson, Presenting…Tallulah by Tori Spelling, and Early Sunday Morning by Denene Millner, among others. She hopes that when people look at her work, it will make them feel happy in some way, or even reclaim a bit of their childhood.
Product details
- Publisher : Atheneum Books for Young Readers; Illustrated edition (January 17, 2017)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 40 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1481400703
- ISBN-13 : 978-1481400701
- Reading age : 5 - 12 years, from customers
- Lexile measure : 720L
- Grade level : Kindergarten - 5
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 10 x 0.4 x 10 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #145,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the story inspiring and honest, making it a great way to teach young children about the civil rights movement. They enjoy the illustrations and character development. The book is timely with marches occurring again, and the writing style is described as beautiful and easy for little ones to read.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the story engaging and honest. They appreciate the spunky character that keeps the heavy topic moving and upbeat for children. The illustrations provide solid history with great facts that help remember Audrey's sacrifice and importance in the ending.
"...This book helps us remember Audrey, her sacrifice and her importance in ending southern segregation...." Read more
"...The main character is spunky which keeps the heavy topic of the story moving and more upbeat for children...." Read more
"...A great story based on actual events. Contains a recipe for the girl's mother's rolls baptized in butter...." Read more
"Great book and enjoyed the illustrations as well- solid history, important history, a great early read for young kids to understand racism, history,..." Read more
Customers like the book for teaching young children about the civil rights movement. It helps them see that children can make a difference. The story is interesting about a young girl who is involved in the movement. They find it moving and upbeat, making it perfect for their classrooms.
"...illustrations by Vanessa Brantley Newton, this is a great book for kids of any age...." Read more
"...is spunky which keeps the heavy topic of the story moving and more upbeat for children...." Read more
"...Hearing a true story of a brave young girl really made it hit home for her. I would highly recommend." Read more
"A True Story of a young activist who was part of the children's march in Montgomery. A great story based on actual events...." Read more
Customers enjoy the illustrations in the book. They find the story lovely and inspiring, and appreciate the boldness and care with which it is told.
"...Featuring beautiful illustrations by Vanessa Brantley Newton, this is a great book for kids of any age...." Read more
"Great book and enjoyed the illustrations as well- solid history, important history, a great early read for young kids to understand racism, history,..." Read more
"...The students were really into the story and pictures. I can't wait to read her next book!" Read more
"...I loved the illustrations by Vanessa!" Read more
Customers appreciate the character development and portrayal of the civil rights era. They mention the main character's courage and thoughtfulness.
"...The main character is spunky which keeps the heavy topic of the story moving and more upbeat for children...." Read more
"...I love the true story and the courage and thoughtfulness displayed by the main character." Read more
"Great book. Wonderful portrayal of the civil rights era ......" Read more
Customers find the book a good way to teach children about civil rights and how they can make a difference. They say it's a wonderful portrayal of the era through the eyes of a child.
"This book was a great place to start to explain race and the civil rights movement to my 7 year old daughter...." Read more
"This book is a great way to teach children about civil rights and how even a child can make a difference. Read it in a mommy and me book club." Read more
"Great book. Wonderful portrayal of the civil rights era through the eyes of a child. Well written and nicely illustrated...." Read more
Customers find the book timely.
"This beautifully written and illustrated book is very timely considering the many marches and protests taking place recently...." Read more
"...Well written and nicely illustrated. Timely with marches happening again." Read more
"Fabulous book and very timely. Helped my daughters understand why we are marching so much these days." Read more
Customers appreciate the writing style. They find it beautifully written and illustrated, making it an easy read for young children.
"Very easy read for our little ones. Great purchase especially during these times." Read more
"This beautifully written and illustrated book is very timely considering the many marches and protests taking place recently...." Read more
"...Well written and nicely illustrated. Timely with marches happening again." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2020Wonderful book. I love books about history. Especially about those who were at the forefront of historical changes, but may not be remembered as well for one reason or another. This book helps us remember Audrey, her sacrifice and her importance in ending southern segregation. Featuring beautiful illustrations by Vanessa Brantley Newton, this is a great book for kids of any age. As a bonus, there is a recipe for "Hot rolls baptized in butter" included. I can't wait to try!
- Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2020I felt like this was an excellent book while teaching my 4 year old of the world. I did have to explain bits to her but overall the visuals really got her mind thinking about how “not nice” it is to act certain ways. The main character is spunky which keeps the heavy topic of the story moving and more upbeat for children. I’m very happy we have this book and recomend it to my friends!
- Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2017This book was a great place to start to explain race and the civil rights movement to my 7 year old daughter. It was easy for her to then relate what happened then to our recent history and how it was important for her to continue to fight and stand up for civil rights. Hearing a true story of a brave young girl really made it hit home for her. I would highly recommend.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2018A True Story of a young activist who was part of the children's march in Montgomery. A great story based on actual events. Contains a recipe for the girl's mother's rolls baptized in butter. Love books with recipes - read it, make the recipe and read it again. A lot of fun -- and a LOT of history that all children need to know.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2020Great book and enjoyed the illustrations as well- solid history, important history, a great early read for young kids to understand racism, history, and how kids can be a part of the solution.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2021Students loved this story. Perfect for elementary school. You can use all or parts to cover lessons on US and VA History!
- Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2022Got this book for my classroom when we were comparing and contrasting events that took place in history in regard to Black History. My students and I loved this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2020We bought this for our grandson but we all enjoyed this wonderful and inspiring story. So important for children these days to expand their view of the world.
Top reviews from other countries
- william hoodReviewed in Canada on February 18, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Excellent transaction, powerful book!