Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement
Author: Angela Joy
Illustrator: Janelle Washington
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press/MacKids Books/Holzbrinck
The resourcefulness and steel of a mother seeking justice for her son’s heinous murder is dramatized in free verse, with stained-glass like paper cut illustrations. Extensive back matter.
Our Young Reviewer Says:
“This book inspires young people to stand brave in the face of fear and injustice by highlighting a touching example of a mother who had to do the same. It shows young readers the racism and prejudice of the time while encouraging them to keep making change in the present. It is both educational and encouraging, while not shying away from darker themes.”
–Lucia, age 17, New York, NY.
Our Young Reviewer Says:
“Choosing Brave is a very good book. It is a sad story but people need to know about it so we can all be free.”
–Chloe, age 9, Eastchester, NY.
Winner: Flora Stieglitz Straus Award for Nonfiction
Children’s Book Committee: ⭐ 2023 Best Book of the Year with Outstanding Merit
Young people who are interested in reviewing are invited to do so as we welcome the individual perspective of our age appropriate readers. If you are interested in being a reviewer, contact youngreviewers@bankstreet.edu.
See our Monthly Picks Archive 2012–2018, and our Monthly Picks 2019–present.