Freedom Summer

Rating:
Summary: Winner of '02 EJ Keats New Writer and New Illustrator Award
Review: ...When I heard the Declaration of Independence said "all men are created equal," I assumed that was fairly obvious. But, of course, there were always those who thought there were created more equal than others. Deborah Wiles tells a simple story of two friends, who do not pay as much attention to the fact that one of them is white and the other black as other people do in their Southern town. In 1964 the Civil Rights Act is passed forbidding segregation, which the two boys think means they can now use the town pool together. However, there is a lesson to be learned regarding how far some people will go to perpetuate ignorance and stupidity.

Jerome Lagarrigue's paintings for this book have an impressionistic quality, but what stands out for me is how he highlights the light areas on the black boy's face and the dark areas on that of the white boy. But what really stands out is the simplicity of Wiles's story, which finds a tiny victory as the first step towards a better world. After young students read "Freedom Summer," they may well have a better understanding of the power and import of King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

Rating:
Summary: An end to segregation
Review: As segregation ended, two boys, one white, one black, celebrated their friendship. They looked forward to the fact that they'd finally be able to swim in the town pool together. Though both were aware of their color differences, they were best friends and hung out together during the day. When laws are passed to end segregation, the boys thought it would mean big changes were going to overcome their small Southern town. Unfortunately, this is not the case as they learned when they get to the pool to see it being filled with cement.

FREEDOM SUMMER was a very eye-opening acknowledgment of racism, narrated by a young white boy. While blacks celebrated the Civil Rights Act being passed, there were whites all across the South who refused to cooperate and open their doors in equality for all. Instead, they found it better to close establishments, treat blacks poorly, or come up with other loopholes -- in the case of this book, by shutting down a public pool.

The dialogue between the two boys is innocent and hopeful, and the images created by Jerome Lagarrigue are subtle, yet inviting. This book speaks volumes on racism and friendship, and reminds one that treating others justly should not be limited by skin color. It is a great lesson on history as it touches on the emotional impact of civil rights and integration. I'm happy to see that this book has been awarded both the Coretta Scott King Award and the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award, because it is not only wonderfully told, but is educationally sound. It would make a wonderful addition to any child's library, regardless of race.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers



Rating:
Summary: Friendship for Freedom
Review: Freedom Summer, written by Deborah Wiles and illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue, is a wonderful book for all ages. Children can understand it, and adults will appreciate the message this book is trying to send. It is about a white boy whose name is Joe, and his best friend, John Henry, who is black. The book takes place in 1964 when there was still segregation, and Joe and John Henry live in the Deep South. They do everything together. When they go to get something from the store John Henry has to stay outside because he isn't allowed inside. One day when Joe and John Henry were at Joe's house they overheard his mom talking about the new law that was passed that made segregation illegal. They were so happy that they ran down to the town pool because now, finally, John Henry will be allowed to swim in it. They find out that some people aren't ready to change what they think just because of a new law. The people who own the pool have filled it with asphalt. They don't want black people to be able to swim in it. Joe and John Henry are so disappointed, but they decide to go enjoy whatever they can together. In the book the artwork is beautiful! I love all of the different colors that the artist uses. The pictures really help tell the story. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do!

Rating:
Summary: CYRM Best Book!!!!
Review: Joe and John Henry are best friends. They both enjoy playing together and share a common love of swimming. It seems as nothing can separate these two, except race. John Henry's skin is "the color of browned butter" while Joe's skin is "the color of the pale moths." Although the boys see nothing wrong with one another's skin color, the small, rural, Southern community in which they live, sees things differently. FREEDOM SUMMER shows the lengths that racist people went through to prevent integration under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and how the friendship of two young boys transcended across racial barriers. The story is written in a manner that young children will be able to understand and relate to while the bold, colorful illustrations complement the story. Deborah Wiles has done an excellent job tackling the serious and touchy topic of racism in way that young children will be able to comprehend.

Reviewed by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Joe and John Henry are best friends. They both love to play marbles, eat ice pops and swim in Fiddler's Creek. And, when they grow up, they're both planning to be firemen. But as Joe tells it there is one big difference between them... "John Henry's skin is the color of browned butter" and "my skin is the color of the pale moths that dance around the porch light at night." In the early 1960's, there are some things they just can't do together. John Henry's not allowed to swim in the town pool or buy his ice pops at Mr Mason's General Store. But all that is about to change. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act becomes law and segregation has to end. The town's swimming pool will be open to everyone, together and John Henry and his family will be able to shop at Mr Masons. The boys are so excited they can hardly sleep and race to the town pool extra early so that they can be there when it opens. But instead of cool blue water, they find workmen filling the pool with asphalt..... Deborah Wiles has written a gentle, yet powerful story of one small southern town's struggle with integration, as seen through the eyes of her white narrator, Joe. Her beautiful, heart-felt text, combined with Jerome Lagarrigue's stunning artwork will pull your children into the story and let them become part of Joe and John Henry's experience. Freedom Summer is a story of racism, friendship and the triumph of the human spirit, told with great insight and wisdom. A story you won't soon forget.

Rating:
Summary: The Color of Friendship
Review: Joe and John Henry are best friends. They both enjoy playing together and share a common love of swimming. It seems as nothing can separate these two, except race. John Henry's skin is "the color of browned butter" while Joe's skin is "the color of the pale moths." Although the boys see nothing wrong with one another's skin color, the small, rural, Southern community in which they live, sees things differently. FREEDOM SUMMER shows the lengths that racist people went through to prevent integration under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and how the friendship of two young boys transcended across racial barriers. The story is written in a manner that young children will be able to understand and relate to while the bold, colorful illustrations complement the story. Deborah Wiles has done an excellent job tackling the serious and touchy topic of racism in way that young children will be able to comprehend.

Reviewed by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: Important history . . . and a timeless lesson
Review: Making this a compelling story for young people isn't easy, but Miz Deborah (as she would have been called then) and Mistah Jerome have done so very well. Just as the Germans must not forget Hitler, we cannot forget the institutionalized racism of our past (which, sadly, remains with us more than National Socialism does with Germany), and Freedom Summer tells that story in a way that is both powerful and positive. As someone who lived through those times and finds this tale haunting, I only wish that Freedom Summer had been written 15 years ago, when I could have read it with my children. This is what children's literature should do.