2011 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People, Grades Pre-K - 3 A 2011 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
"Each moment is narrated in the present tense, providing sensory details to evoke atmosphere and just enough background to create meaning for the audience. Bootman's illustrations clearly portray the emotions—fear, determination, joy—of the people present at each moment. The final two-page spread of the First Family viewing the Memorial is especially moving."—Kirkus Reviews
"This handsome picture book outlines the history of the civil rights struggle and its leaders…The book's title is a powerful metaphor, and the beautiful watercolor paintings feature stirring scenes of huge, mobilized crowds, as well as close-up portraits of inspiring leaders."—Booklist
"This attractive, accessible title uses the Lincoln Memorial as a vehicle to outline the history of the Civil Rights Movement…Bootman's realistic watercolor spreads are striking…'Change. It happens slowly. One small step at a time,' is the refrain that echoes repeatedly along with the 'Pitter-patter…Click, click, click…Clomp, clomp' of the children, women, and men who climb the steps of the iconic structure."—School Library Journal
"Terrific snapshots of history are shown through the text and are further enhanced by the watercolor illustrations, which could stand alone. The repetition of imagery and a key phrase add to the literary strength…This is an excellent chronicle of important steps made toward equality since Abraham Lincoln in a picture book format."—Library Media Connection
Gr 2–5—This attractive, accessible title uses the Lincoln Memorial as a vehicle to outline the history of the Civil Rights Movement from the Emancipation Proclamation to Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech to the 2008 presidential election. Other pivotal moments include world-renowned singer Marian Anderson's 1939 performance at the memorial when she was barred from singing at Constitution Hall. Slade explains in clear, descriptive prose how the memorial "was created from twenty-eight smaller pieces carved out of white marble." Bootman's realistic watercolor spreads are striking; one of them features portraits of several accomplished African-Americans, including Toni Morrison, Mae Jemison, Colin Powell, and Oprah Winfrey. "Change. It happens slowly. One small step at a time," is the refrain that echoes repeatedly along with the "Pitter-patter….Click, click, click….Clomp, clomp" of the children, women, and men who climb the steps of the iconic structure. An afterword asks youngsters, "Can you help make change happen?" and describes the steps taken by Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Jackie Robinson, and Rosa Parks. A time line that begins with Douglass's escape from slavery highlights some African-American "firsts."—Barbara Auerbach, PS 217, Brooklyn, NY
When work was begun on the Lincoln Memorial in 1914, no one could have imagined the history that would later unfold at the site. Slade uses the Memorial to create a brief series of snapshots of African-American history, beginning with the background that connects Abraham Lincoln to African-Americans. She moves on to Marian Anderson's legendary performance and Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington and culminates with the inauguration of Barack Obama. Each moment is narrated in the present tense, providing sensory details to evoke atmosphere and just enough background to create meaning for the audience. Bootman's illustrations clearly portray the emotions—fear, determination, joy—of the people present at each moment. The final two-page spread of the First Family viewing the Memorial is especially moving. Readers will find in this introduction a good overview and a solid base on which to continue building their knowledge of not only African-American history but the history of the United States. Thumbnail biographies of other changemakers and a timeline follow the text. (Informational picture book. 5-8)
