Freedom Summer

One caveat: this book tells a story of the realities of segregation through the eyes of a white boy who has a black friend. One wonders how John Henry--the black boy--might have told his own story..Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles and illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue won both the 2002 Ezra Jack Keats Award as well as a Coretta Scott King Award. It begins with two friends enjoying the leisurely pace of summer, hanging around, being friends together, swimming in a local creek. “John Henry swims better than anybody” the narrator knows. They ecstatically anticipate the prospect of the local community pool’s opening day. But, when they arrive at the gates, the boys discover that the facility has been bulldozed. No one will swim there again.Why?.Because this story takes place in a segregated America. In 1960, laws ensured blacks could not share facilities with whites. After desegregation legislation passed, instead of complying, Mobile, Alabama opted to close the town pool, ice cream parlor, and roller rink. Hate and prejudice blinded people to fairness and the rights of all citizens to equality and access to facilities. To deny blacks access, they denied the entire community access.This award-winning book splendidly captures the boys’ friendship so when they encounter the closed pool, the reader feels dazed by the community’s betrayal. The conversations this book might open are important one on issues such as racism, prejudice as well as loyalty, friendship and thinking for oneself.The forward by the other offers additional insights about her motives for writing the book as well as her personal encounters with segregation during her own childhood.Adoption-attuned Lens:The potential for adoption-related conversations is broad. In addition to racial and cultural bias, adoptive families frequently encounter bias against their families. Our family ties are often questions in terms of permanency, depth and reality. This book can help families talk about standing up for ourselves as well as being a voice for others who face discrimination and bias. --Gayle H. Swift, "ABC, Adoption & Me: A Multicultural Picture Book

This is a very evocative book about racism and hatred. Here's this boy, excited to play in the pool for the first time - and he can't. The city was so upset about integration that they filled the pool with concrete rather than let black people swim there. Terrible.This book is realistic, and we can always use more books about history. It's well-written, I like the artwork.But...See, now, I have to ask this. Here's this book about integration, about hatred, about racism. It features a white boy and his black best friend. Best friend's big brother makes an appearance, too. The best friend is the one who feels heartbroken, he's the one who's suffering here...So why is the white kid the narrator?Is this story of friendship, and of hatred, really his story to tell? Why couldn't John Henry have told his own story?

Great story showing a true friendship after the civil rights act was passed.

GOOD BOOK

Timely and sweet

This book shows how, even if laws are changed, people's hearts are slower to change. It also is a beautiful picture of friendship.

I bought this book as a gift for my granddaughter. The pictures alone were enough to keep you bound to this old story of life in a earlier time. I want my grandchildren to know how far we have come in a short time.

My second-grade students loved it!

It is worth noting that this book is a could-be-true rather than an is-true book. It is beautifully drawn and could provoke excellent discussions. The sheer perversity of the white community destroying their town swimming pool rather than sharing it is stark and may well shock young readers into a fuller understanding of thinking at the time.

Excellent book, creates some great talking points with children about segregation and and the 1960’s in the south.

It's the 1960s in the American south. Two boys, one black, the other white, are best friends. Even with desegregation, society would keep them apart, but they stay true to their friendship. It's a beautifully illustrated book, and the story brings the history of segregation--and what it meant to live in a segregated society--alive for readers.

Great book to teach about diversity/differences and acceptance. Great condition and very fast shipping

J'ai adoré ce livre. Une très belle histoire entre deux enfants, deux amis, qui ne faisaient aucune attention à la différence de leur couleur de peau.