March: Book Three

Lewis, J., Aydin, A. & Powell, N. (2016). March : Book Three. Marietta, GA: Top Shelf Productions.

Awards:

National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2016)

Sibert Medal (2017)

Michael L. Printz Award (2017)

Coretta Scott King Award for Author (2017)

Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards for Best Reality-Based Work (2017)

NAIBA Book of the Year for Nonfiction (2017)

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction (2017)

Walter Dean Myers Award (2017)

Summary:

The March series is Congressman John Lewis’ memoir about his time fighting for Civil Rights. Book Three focuses on registering black people to vote and the events of “Bloody Sunday”, the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.

Reaction:

Dr. Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech, Rosa Parks refusing her seat, the March on Washington, these are all synonymous with the Civil Rights Movement. What many Americans are unaware of are events such as “Bloody Sunday” or “Freedom Summer”, where volunteers attempted to help African-Americans register to vote. That’s where the book series March comes in.

March: Book Three can be read without prior knowledge from the first two in the trilogy. It begins with the bombing of a church in September of 1963 that left four little girls dead. Four children. Dead. All because of the color of their skin. A few months later, news of President Kennedy’s death make the airwaves. Any hope of Civil Rights being achieved any time soon vastly dwindle.

Following the heinous bombing are the events of Freedom Summer in Mississippi. Three volunteers disappear in the summer. No honest attempt by police is made to find the missing volunteers. It wasn’t until months later their bodies were found, buried deep in the ground.

The final section of the book focuses on the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. According to John Lewis, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. could not attend that day. So Lewis and another leader led the way. That day, March 7, 1965, is forever known as “Bloody Sunday” for the violence that ensued.

Because of the amount of violence in the book - the bombing, various beatings, etc. - the black and white images are best. The black and white images also help represent the time period of the 60s. The videos are recorded in this way as well.

Many Americans are unaware of the march from Selma to Montgomery. They are unaware of either attempt. The film industry made an effort to inform citizens with the 2014 film Selma. Marketing did not reach many film-goers, however, despite it’s Oscar and 59 other awards. By writing this trilogy, John Lewis is ensuring that the youth of America is aware of this important time period in history. The format of a graphic novel engages readers by helping them picture the struggles African-Americans went through to have the same rights as others. ELA and Social Studies teachers alike need to have this series in their classrooms.

Connections:

Activities:

- PBS provides a detailed lesson plan and videos that could be used in teaching the series: https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/fyr12.socst.us.1950pres.lpfaicha/faith-in-change-john-lewis/
- The book is from John Lewis’ perspective during this time period. The film Selma (2014) is mainly from Dr. Martin Luther King’s perspective. Show clips from the film to compare to the novel. How are they different? Which perspective is more powerful?
- Students can attempt to take the Literacy Test African-Americans were required to take to register to vote.
- Show students an image of a sit-down protest. Have students complete a quick write about what they believe to be happening in the image.
- If your school has a Scholastic Scope subscription, have students read the drama “The Girl Who Dared” and the speech “My America” by Barbara Posey. This will give background information before beginning March: Book One.
- There were six Civil Rights organizers that were well known in this time period. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Philip Randolph, James Farmer Jr., John Lewis, Whitney Young Dr., and Roy Wilkins. Have students get into groups to research each person and create a presentation about their contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.
- Several organizations were mentioned in March: Book Three. Have students do a jigsaw activity about the different organizations and how they contributed to promoting Civil Rights.

Civil Rights Picture Books:

Shelton, P. & Colón, R. (2010). Child of the civil rights movement. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.

Weatherford, C. & Lagarrigue, J. (2005). Freedom on the menu : the Greensboro sit-ins. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

Wiles, D. & Lagarrigue, J. (2001). Freedom Summer. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Video:

[CBS News]. (2012, March 5). Selma’s “Bloody Sunday” Remembered [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/00xojzOYdz8

[Willie Tolliver]. (2013, February 28). Selma March [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/tVymzWrBTww

[CNN]. (2015, January 6). Selma 1965 [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/QAJzlwcWEcE

[All Classic Video]. (2015, July 19). Selma Alabama Marches (1965) - Historic Footage [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/2SFoYryF1zU

[Time]. (2017, January 15). John Lewis: The Selma To Montgomery Marches | MLK | TIME [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/DRwnXUbJdfg