Someday Is Now - by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich (Hardcover)

About the Book

Learn to stand against what you know is wrong by following the example of civil rights leader Clara Luper in Someday Is Now.

Book Synopsis

"Not only does this book highlight an important civil rights activist, it can serve as an introduction to child activism as well as the movement itself. Valuable." --Kirkus Reviews starred review

"Relatable and meaningful ... A top addition to nonfiction collections." --School Library Journal starred review

More than a year before the Greensboro sit-ins, a teacher named Clara Luper led a group of young people to protest the segregated Katz Drug Store by sitting at its lunch counter. With simple, elegant art, Someday Is Now tells the inspirational story of this unsung hero of the Civil Rights Movement.

As a child, Clara Luper saw how segregation affected her life. When she grew up, Clara led the movement to desegregate Oklahoma stores and restaurants that were closed to African Americans. With courage and conviction, she led young people to "do what had to be done." Perfect for early elementary age kids in encouraging them to do what is right and stand up for what is right, even at great cost, this is a powerful story about the power of nonviolent activism.

Someday Is Nowchallenges young people to ask how they will stand up against something they know is wrong. Kids are inspired to follow the lessons of bravery taught by civil rights pioneers like Clara Luper.

This moving title includes additional information on Clara Luper's extraordinary life, her lessons of nonviolent resistance, and a glossary of key civil rights people and terms.

Review Quotes

"Not only does this book highlight an important civil rights activist, it can serve as an introduction to child activism as well as the movement itself. Valuable."--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"Rhuday-Perkovich powerfully teaches young readers that standing up sometimes means standing out. A top addition to nonfiction collections."--Lauren Younger, School Library Journal, Starred Review

"An authentic tribute to a brave and compassionate activist."--Publishers Weekly

"Introduce students to the activism of Clara Luper, an African American high school teacher who organized lunch counter sit-ins for her students to protest segregation in 1958. The narrative functions as a history lesson and as a guide for when and how to challenge injustice (now and with nonviolent direct action). The author does not shy away from describing the humiliating abuse the children suffered during the sit-in. The artist shows images of Black children covered in food while white patrons yell, throw, and shake their fists. The art is simple but stunning."--Social Justice Books

About the Author

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich is the author of 8th Grade Superzero, a Notable Book for a Global Society, as well as a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People. She is a co-author of the NAACP Image Award nominated Two Naomis and the forthcoming Naomis Too and is the editor of The Hero Next Door, an anthology from We Need Diverse Books.

A member of The Brown Bookshelf and the Advisory Board of We Need Diverse Books, Olugbemisola holds a master of arts in education and writes frequently on literacy and parenting topics. She lives with her family in New York City. Visit her online at olugbemisolabooks.com.

Jade Johnson is a New Orleans-based children's illustrator and educator. She graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. Her work has been recognized by Creative Quarterly, The Society of Illustrators, and Applied Arts.