-By Congressman John Lewis and Andrew Aydin
-Art by Nate Powell
A Non-fiction Comic-style Book Publication
To wrap up this review on MARCH I will tell you that there was a march before the MARCH. I never knew about it until this read.
I continue to be inspired by this book. I’m reminded that these movements of lunch counter protests, personal protests (choosing to be better a person) and marches were led or highly occupied by young people.
Congressman Lewis was just a boy when he first heard Dr. King speak. From the telling of his childhood story, you can sense that young Lewis had the energy to challenge and help change the problems of racism—before he would first hear King speak. Lewis’ passion and purpose was already inside him. The speech of Dr. King is what encouraged him to see it.
In every situation in this book there was a young person involved. John Lewis was a student at a small college, his friends and fellow protestors were university students and some of the key figures delivering speeches were young professionals- all in Nashville at the time. Keep in mind that it was young boys that asked questions of Congressman Lewis that started the story at the beginning of this book.
Young people, encouraged by young John Lewis, marched right up to the mayor of Nashville, TN. John Lewis and his nonviolent ‘gang’ were students fed up with the evils of violence against them and their supporters. It was time. They had to march. So they marched in mass numbers to city hall in Nashville. They publicly demanded change. It made a difference. I love the ending. It will make you proud.
As a finale for this review I’ll just add one thing. As much as I appreciate all of the civil rights work and accomplishments like MARCH I won’t ignore the wrongs of Today. It is important that young people continue to recognize your contributions for change.
This book has the type of energy to light your fire. I hope you get a chance to read it.
I look forward to checking out Books Two and Three of MARCH.
To find recent Book Reviews look under ‘youth lifestyle’ then ‘book of the month’.