Title: Freedom Summer
Author: Deborah Wiles
Illustrator: Jerome Lagarrigue
Publisher: Antheneum Books for Children
Topic: African Americans, Race relations, Friendship, Prejudice
and Racism
Age: 4-8
Opening: John Henry Waddell is my best friend.
Summary: In 1964, Joe is pleased that a new law will allow
his best friend John Henry, who is colored, to share the town pool and other
public places with him, but he is dismayed to find that prejudice still exists.
Resources:
Discussion questions at Teach Peace Now website.
4th grade lesson plan with activities for the
classroom:
Lesson plan template with activities
for the classroom:
Why I Like the Book:
This is a touching and simply written story that tackles the
very complex issue of racism and prejudice in the south and the 1964 civil
movement that would change the south, Freedom Summer. The story is written in first
person and told by Joe, a young white boy who is friends with John Henry, an
African-American boy. Freedom Summer follows two best friends in a time and
place where segregation and racial inequality ruled. When a law is finally
passed that ensures the two boys could finally visit public places together,
they realize, it takes more than just a new law to change old ways of thinking.
