March: Book One

Book review by Michael Berry, Common Sense Media
March: Book One Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 12+

Powerful graphic novel captures spirit of desegregation.

John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell History 2013
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Parents say

age 8+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 9+

Based on 3 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Stands out for and .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that March is a powerful look back at the early days of the civil rights movement in the American South. Both a history and a memoir of Congressman John Lewis' early life, this first of a planned trilogy emphasizes the power of nonviolent protest and shows how people can band together to effect social change. It contains some violence, including beatings by police and the murder of a 14-year-old boy, but these scenes are not graphic or lingered upon. Bigoted characters use the "N" word throughout the book, but there's no other objectionable language.

Community Reviews

Emi B.
Emi B. Adult
May 26, 2020
age 9+

Am buying books 2 and 3 of this series immediately!

I love that John Lewis was inspired by a comic book based on Martin Luther King's quest for civil rights, and have no doubt that March will go on to galvanize future leaders making gains in social justice as well. This book truly is on par with Maus and Persepolis for historical accuracy, unflinching realism, and cultural ethos. Both my 12-yr olds agree with me.

This title has:

Educational value
Great role models
Alben2
Alben2 Adult
January 13, 2017
age 7+

Excellent compelling real history

This book is an honest and forthright book about Representaitve John Lewis and his participation in the Civil Rights movement. The events and language are harsh but true to life. Our boys started listening to the trilogy (read aloud by parents) when they were 5 and this led to many difficult but necessary discussions about race relations then and now. We have now read all three books and even we're able to hear the authors speak about the impetus for this novel. We continue to reread them. The period that is described in the book is very violent and the language was awful. And I think it is important for families to read this book together.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

MARCH follows real-life U.S. Representative John Lewis (D-Ga.) from his early days on his family's Alabama chicken farm, where he objected to the way his beloved birds were killed, through his education about the birth of the civil rights movement, up to his experiences as a nonviolent student protester. Much of this graphic novel focuses on the sit-ins at Nashville department-store lunch counters in 1960 and how they led to a confrontation on the steps of the town's city hall.

Is It Any Good?

March is a powerful testament to the courage and resourcefulness of those who fought and died for equal rights. By writing about his childhood and education, John Lewis, with the scripting assistance of Andrew Aydin, makes the tale personal, while offering glimpses of larger-than-life figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr.

Nate Powell's black-and-white artwork clearly illustrates the action and gives each character a mark of uniqueness. Highly recommended.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the United States is different now compared with 50 years ago. How have attitudes about race changed over the course of those decades?

  • Is nonviolence more effective than other methods of protest? Why do you think Martin Luther King, Jr. told his followers to always be polite and to not fight back?

  • What role did religion play in the civil rights movement? What religious practices or beliefs foster social change?

Book Details

Our Editors Recommend

For kids who love history and civil rights

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