March Book 1,2, & 3

March Book 1, 2, & 3
John Lewis & Andrew Aydin

Nate Powell, Illustrator

Top Shelf, 2013, 2015, & 2016

Grades 7-Up

Graphic Novel/Non-Fiction

March Trilogy

Congressman John Lewis relates his journey from a poor, southern farm boy growing up in the Jim Crow South to leading the Bloody Sunday March of 1965 in Selma, all within the context of Barak Obama's inauguration in 2009. We see the discrimination faced by Lewis and his loved ones and the motivation to join the civil rights movement. Though always a disciple of Martin Luther King and a great proponent of peaceful protest, he went on to help found and eventually lead the student movement called SNCC. Standing up for the rights of African Americans in the south did not come without a price. Lewis was repeatedly beaten brutally and countless lives were lost. Through it all, the reader learns about the brave men and women of the movement and the differences between the organizations, who both had their differences, but ultimately worked together to create a place where everyone can vote, regardless of skin color. Lewis is there every step of the way from the early events of the movement to speaking at the March on Washington to finally being present as President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

With the recent death of Congressman and Civil Rights hero, John Lewis, and the release of a continuing trilogy titled Run last month, I felt that it was finally time to read the trilogy that started it all and won countless amounts of awards. I was not disappointed! The books are fantastic and should be part of every school and public library. We see Lewis's struggle as the narrative flips back and forth between the past and Obama's inauguration, demonstrating how far the cause has come. The alternating time periods never are confusing and young readers will understand the intent. The illustrations are stark and amazing, perfectly capturing the mood and conflict of the times. Because of the graphic nature of the material and the persistent violence endured by the protestors, including deaths, this is not for young readers. That said, it is an important story and older youth should know of our country's troubled struggles. Especially in light of current events, it is important to know that discrimination is not a new problem and equality is a goal for which all Americans need to stand up. This trilogy should be required reading for all teenagers. I thought I knew about the Civil Rights movement, but after reading these books I realized how little I actual did know. Because of the graphic format, it reads quickly and painlessly, yet the serious message or historical accuracy of events is never diluted and the graphic format allows readers to personally experience Lewis' struggle in a very tangible way.