African American Literature Book Review: Sit In

 

Sit In by Andrea Pinkney

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Pinkney, Andrea. Sit-In. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 3 Feb. 2010.

 

PLOT SUMMARY:

This book tells the story of 4 college friends completing a sit in protest at Woolworth’s in the 1960’s. This book uses information and a metaphor to link the experience of freedom and equality with that of food. It is an interesting way to tell this difficult story. This event takes place in Greensboro, North Carolina during the height of the civil rights movement. This book make you feel disgusted with the choices that people made at this time in history. To reflect on how these 4 young people felt so compelled to stand up for their freedom is inspiring.

 

CRITICAL REVIEW:

The book is factual and shows the true experience these people endured during these sit-in protests. Taking place in the South, it is indicative in the book through the clothes the students wore and the general theme of the diner. This was an ugly event, though rewrote in history through the bravery of these young people. It is interesting to experience their moment. The illustrations are very informative of the story. They are almost sketch style which invokes emotion from this situation. The author writes in a clear, succinct way that conveys the message of the book.

 

AWARDS:

Carter G. Woodson Book Award

Jane Addams Children's Book Award Honor for Younger Children

 

CONNECTIONS:

This book could be used to teach events that occurred during the Civil Rights movement. What other peaceful protests existed?

 

Book Review by Barbara Jean Thompson