March Trilogy by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell.
Published in 2013, 2015, and 2016 by Top Shelf Productions. 128, 192, & 256 pages. Recommended for ages 13-16 years, Lexile 760, 850.
The March trilogy is a graphic novel memoir written by John Lewis about his days in the civil rights movement in the 50s and 60s. Lewis was a key figure in the movement, particularly among young people, and sometimes worked side-by-side with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to push for non-violent protest in order to accomplish their goals of desegregation, anti-discrimination, and equal voting rights for all Americans. The series juxtaposes the historical accounts with modern scenes from Barack Obama's inauguration, showing the progress that has been made thanks, in part, to Lewis' legacy.
(Lewis, Aydin & Powell, 2015, p.50-51)
This series, aimed at older teen readers, is densely packed with history. Quotes from real speeches and conversations are used. Some parts of this series are uncomfortable, as the books include the derogatory terms that were thrown at Lewis and his colleagues. The violence they were met with at almost every turn, from both citizens and police, is also depicted. The gruesome aspects of the fight for civil rights is laid out on the page, including some of the horrific murders that happened in the South. His fight was dangerous, but over and over again he showed up for the cause that meant so much to him.
(Lewis, Aydin & Powell, 2013, p.100-101)
(Lewis, Aydin & Powell, 2016, p.230-231)
This trilogy is timely for modern teen readers, who have been watching news of the Black Lives Matter movement in recent years. Some of the images in the book feel eerily similar to recent videos and pictures of the protests that have been making headlines in their lifetime, and Lewis' story shows the important work that young people can do to push for the changes that they want to see in their government and country.
The March trilogy has received numerous starred professional reviews, literary awards, and critical acclaim. March: Book Three won, among several awards, the National Book Award, the Printz Award, and the Coretta Scott King Award. The graphic novel format makes the story feel even more personal and immediate, and it's clear that this series has struck a cord with teens and readers all of ages.
Other books to consider:
The murders of activists James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were discussed in the March trilogy, but this narrative nonfiction book gives a more in-depth look into these three young individuals and the role their deaths played in the civil rights movement.
Before Rosa Parks, there was Claudette Colvin, a fifteen-year-old African American girl who refused to give up her seat to a white woman on a bus. This award-winning biography tells Colvin's story, and her personal fight in the civil rights movement.
This award-winning, bestselling work of non-fiction pulls the history of racism into the modern day, shows how we got to where we are, and teaches young readers how to continue to fight for equality for all moving forward. A timely work for 2020, and an excellent companion to studying the civil rights movement.
References:
Lewis, J., Aydin, A., & Powell, N. (2013). March: Book one. Top Shelf Productions.
Lewis, J., Aydin, A., & Powell, N. (2015). March: Book two. Top Shelf Productions.
Lewis, J., Aydin, A., & Powell, N. (2016). March: Book three. Top Shelf Productions.
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