Last night as I listened to my bedtime YouTube music the letters J O H N L E W I S scrolled across the screen. There was no need to click on them. I knew what it meant. We had lost another soldier of the Civil Rights Movement and an award-winning children’s book author.
Four years ago, the Brown Bookshelf honored Congressman Lewis in our 28 Days Later campaign. He led an amazing life well lived and of service to all Americans.
In case you missed the Day 25 post from 2016, it’s copied below.
Day 25: Congressman John Lewis
Today our honoree is not only a children’s book author, he is a congressman representing Georgia’s 5th District. Along with writer Andrew Aydin and graphic artist Nate Powell, Mr. Lewis has written three books for young readers about his life in the Civil Rights movement: March Book One, March Book Two, and a third one, March Book Three to be released August 2016.
Mr. Lewis witnessed segregation first hand while growing up on an Alabama farm. As a college student, he decided to work in a nonviolent way so that African Americans could eat at lunch counters, book rooms in any hotel, and attend schools of their choice.
Why did he write about his life?
“I want young people to know that another generation of young people had the same type of zeal, the same type of ‘get up, let’s do it,’” Lewis told Fusion’s Alicia Menendez. “But they did it in an orderly, peaceful, nonviolent fashion.” Listen to the complete interview here John Lewis talks to Fusion.
In Move Book One, Lewis remembers his life as a four-year-old pulling corn, picking cotton, and gathering peanuts on his family’s 110-acre farm. They raised hogs, cows, and chickens. He loved taking care of the chickens. He chose names like Big Belle and his favorite, Li’l Pullet. He goes on to tell about his first meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and why the non-violent movement was so instrumental in his life.
Congressman Lewis continued his graphic novel memoir with a second book March Book Two. Here is an NPR review.
He also spoke about his life and books at the San Diego Comic Con. At the urging of Nate Powell, his co-author, he dressed as he did when he was 25 years old marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama with 600 Civil Rights workers. He wore a trench coat and a backpack filled with two books, an apple, a toothbrush, and toothpaste.
After reading March Book One and March Book Two, I’m sure readers will line up for March Book Three!
The Buzz
March Book One
“A riveting and beautiful civil-rights story… Lewis’s gripping memoir should be stocked in every school and shelved at every library.” — The Washington Post
“A powerful tale of courage and principle igniting sweeping social change, told by a strong-minded, uniquely qualified eyewitness… the heroism of those who sat and marched… comes through with vivid, inspiring clarity.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
March Book Two
“This memoir puts a human face on a struggle that many students will primarily know from textbooks… Visually stunning, the black-and-white illustrations convey the emotions of this turbulent time… This insider’s view of the civil rights movement should be required reading for young and old; not to be missed.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Powell captures the danger and tension in stunning cinematic spreads, which dramatically complement Lewis’ powerful story… The story of the civil rights movement is a triumphant one, but Lewis’ account is full of nuance and personal struggle, both of which impart an empowering human element to an often mythologized period of history… this is a must-read.” — Booklist (starred review)
Keep up-to-date on the authors and artist on Twitter:
John Lewis @repjohnlewis
Andrew Aydin @andrewaydin
Nate Powell @Nate_Powell_Art