Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER AND NEWBERY HONOR BOOK ● Before Rosa Parks, there was 15-year-old Claudette Colvin. Read the first in-depth account of an important yet largely unknown civil rights figure in this multi-award winning, mega-selling biography from the incomparable Phillip Hoose.
“When it comes to justice, there is no easy way to get it. You can't sugarcoat it. You have to take a stand and say, ‘This is not right.’” —Claudette Colvin
On March 2, 1955, an impassioned teenager, fed up with the daily injustices of Jim Crow segregation, refused to give her seat to a white woman on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Instead of being celebrated as Rosa Parks would be just nine months later, fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin found herself shunned by her classmates and dismissed by community leaders. Undaunted, a year later she dared to challenge segregation again as a key plaintiff in Browder v. Gayle, the landmark case that struck down the segregation laws of Montgomery and swept away the legal underpinnings of the Jim Crow South.
Based on extensive interviews with Claudette Colvin and many others, Phillip Hoose presents the first major biography of a remarkable civil rights hero, skillfully weaving her riveting story into the fabric of the historic Montgomery bus boycott and court case that would change the course of American history.
Awards and Praise for Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
National Book Award Winner
A Newbery Honor Book
A YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Finalist
A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
Amazon.com 100 Biographies and Memoirs to Read in a Lifetime
“Hoose's book, based in part on interviews with Colvin and people who knew her—finally gives her the credit she deserves.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Claudette's eloquent bravery is unforgettable.” —The Wall Street Journal
★ “This inspiring title shows the incredible difference that a single young person can make.” —Booklist, starred review
Frequently asked questions
Is Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book discusses violence related to civil rights, including mentions of bombings, lynchings, and arrests. It frames these events as part of the historical context of the civil rights movement. The book addresses themes that may be frightening, such as racial violence and the fear associated with civil rights activism during the 1950s. This content is presented in a way that is suitable for middle school readers.
Does Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice have violence?
The book discusses violence related to civil rights, including mentions of bombings, lynchings, and arrests. It frames these events as part of the historical context of the civil rights movement.
Does Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice have scary content?
The book addresses themes that may be frightening, such as racial violence and the fear associated with civil rights activism during the 1950s. This content is presented in a way that is suitable for middle school readers.
Does Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice have religious themes?
No religious content or practices mentioned in the book's narrative.
Does Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice have racial/cultural content?
The book centers on Claudette Colvin's experiences as an African American girl during the civil rights movement, highlighting systemic racism and the struggle for civil rights. It discusses how Colvin's actions challenged racial segregation.
Does Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice have profanity?
Some reviews mention the presence of mild swearing in the context of the book's discussions about violence and social issues.
Does Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice have climate change?
No climate themes or discussions detected in the search results.
Does Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice have sexual identity?
There are mentions of sexual content related to the historical context, including references to rape. The book does not delve deeply into these topics but acknowledges their presence in the narrative.
Does Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice have gender roles?
No specific gender roles or themes related to gender expectations are mentioned in the search results.
Does Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes detected in the search results.
