Rose Recommends: July | March

Wait, July March? July? March? I’m confused…

This Rose Recommendation for the month of July is a book called March. March, as in when you walk in rhythm to a beat, or as in when you walk in a group for demonstration or protest.

March is a graphic memoir written by John Lewis (with co-author Andrew Aydin and artist Nate Powell), a congressman from Georgia and a leader of the Civil Rights Movement. It is a trilogy, and I was required to read Book 1 for a class I’m taking on Children’s/Young Adult non-fiction. I also checked out the second book (but have not yet read it; I will once I’m done with the other required class readings). The third installment is scheduled to be released in August.

This book is reasonably well-known, but I think it needs to be a bigger thing, so I’m spreading the word. I usually don’t like to do well-known books for these posts, but I’m making an exception because this was just so darn good, and of course, so darn relevant.

The story is a frame narrative that begins with John Lewis getting ready for the inauguration of President Obama in January of 2009. He is visited in his office by a grandmother and her 2 grandsons, who ask Lewis about his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement. Lewis begins to tell his story, from childhood to his youth, during which he became devoted to MLK’s teachings of nonviolent protest and participated in many sit-ins at lunch counters serving only whites. Because he’s narrating his life to young boys, he does an excellent job (along with the artwork of Nate Powell) illustrating what is was like growing up black during this time in a way that young adults can understand and appreciate. But this is by no means just a book for YAs; it definitely has crossover appeal for adults.

With the final book coming out soon, I highly encourage you to check out this series. It is a well-written, quick read, and something to add to your reading list that (especially in the US right now) is an essential part of our past and present history.

GENRE:

YA/Graphic novel/memoir

PAGES:

Book 1: 128; Book 2: 192; Book 3: 256

FOR THOSE WHO LIKE:

• Graphic novels
• Memoirs
• Black history

THINGS PEOPLE MIGHT NOT LIKE:

• I know some people aren’t fans of graphic novels (ya crazies!)
• Literally nothing else. This book is great.

 

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