1955 (Exploring Civil Rights: The Movement) - by Nel Yomtov

About the Book

"Key events of the Civil Rights Movement will be brought to life in this exciting and informative new series. The year 1955 saw a range of events that brought attention to the civil rights movement. In August, Emmett Till, a Black teenager, was brutally murdered in Mississippi. In December, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man while riding on a bus in Alabama. Parks' brave action resulted in the year-long Montgomery bus boycott, an event that brought transformational change to the city. These events and more sparked a movement that in the following years would bring Black youth to the forefront of much needed reform in the nation.The years from 1955 to 1965 are at the heart of the civil rights movement-from the Montgomery bus boycott to the Voting Rights Act. The contributions of key activists, including Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Barbara Nash, and Malcolm X, are part of the narrative. Demonstrations of passive resistance and legal challenges were often met with bloodshed and violence against Black Americans fighting to end segregation and discrimination. Yet the courage of those yearning for equal opportunities under the law ultimately produced legislation affirming that every American should have the same constitutional rights, regardless of color, race, or gender. Key features: Each book addresses major moments in civil rights history, organized chronologically, ties into the school curriculum Sidebars, at least one per chapter (mix of cultural references and explanations of more complex terms) Back matter: timeline, glossary, reference materials, mini-bio of a modern civil rights activist, and more Brand new series design, historical photos throughout Opportunities for series expansion (pre & post-civil rights)"--

Book Synopsis

Key events of the Civil Rights Movement will be brought to life in this exciting and informative new series.

The year 1955 saw a range of events that brought attention to the civil rights movement. In August, Emmett Till, a Black teenager, was brutally murdered in Mississippi. In December, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man while riding on a bus in Alabama. Parks' brave action resulted in the year-long Montgomery bus boycott, an event that brought transformational change to the city. These events and more sparked a movement that in the following years would bring Black youth to the forefront of much needed reform in the nation.

ABOUT THE SERIES:

The years from 1955 to 1965 are at the heart of the civil rights movement--from the Montgomery bus boycott to the Voting Rights Act. The contributions of key activists, including Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Barbara Nash, and Malcolm X, are part of the narrative. Demonstrations of passive resistance and legal challenges were often met with bloodshed and violence against Black Americans fighting to end segregation and discrimination. Yet the courage of those yearning for equal opportunities under the law ultimately produced legislation affirming that every American should have the same constitutional rights, regardless of color, race, or gender.

With stunning photographs throughout and rich back matter, each book focuses on a specific year and chronologically follows the detailed events that occurred and the changes that took place.

About the Author

Nel Yomtov is an award-winning author of nonfiction books and graphic novels about American and world history, geography, sports, science, mythology, and military history. He has written numerous titles in Scholastic's True Books, Enchantment of the World, Cornerstones of Freedom, and Calling All Innovators series. Nel lives in the New York City area with his wife, Nancy, an educator. His son, Jess, is a sports journalist and website producer.