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Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

(2009, Non-Fiction - Biography, Written by Phillip M. Hoose)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    Dramatic story of forgotten teen civil rights hero.

Themes in this book include:   peer pressure

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    The book gives an in-depth look at a time and movement that was initiated by a little known or remembered teen girl. There are great sidebars with golden nuggets of information like "Who was Jim Crow?" and photos of actual newspaper articles from the time. It all makes the history feel more real and relevant to younger readers.

  • Messages:

    The message of standing up to injustice no matter the costs is prevalent throughout the book.

  • Role models:

    At the time Claudette Colvin was not deemed a good role model. Looking back she is a teen that never gave up, embraced her own features at a time when it was unpopular, and stood up to intimidation and institutionalized racism.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    A girl is dragged off a bus by police. There are tales of women being raped and beaten by police, and one teen is sentenced to die for a crime he did not commit. Stories of lynchings and retaliation crimes including bombings of homes and churches.

  • Sex:

    A teen becomes pregnant by an older, married man.

  • Language:

    The "N-word" is referred to but not used.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

Parents need to know that amidst this award-nominated, inspirational history lesson there are mentions of upsetting violence: stories of women being raped by men in the segregated South; several teens are arrested; a girl becomes pregnant by a much older, married man; and a teen is wrongly convicted of a crime and sentenced to die. There are also several bombings of homes and churches.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about embracing your features. Claudette embraced her natural hair when straight hair was more desired and the norm. What is considered the beauty ideal now? What do you embrace about yourself that other people may not support?
  • Families can also talk about standing up for injustice. While institutionalized segregation no longer exists, there are other injustices that need attention. Can you name a few? How can you help bring awareness and work to stop the problems?
  • Does racism still exist in America? If yes, can you name specific examples? What can you do about it?
Tools and tips that can help

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