Reynolds, A., & Cooper, F. (2010). Back of the Bus. New York: Philomel Books.Choice Book2011 ALSC Notable Children's Book ListThis is a very inspirational story about a young African American boy who's riding a city bus with his mother in Montgomery, Alabama. It's the same bus being ridden by Rosa Parks on the day when she refuses to give up her seat to a white person. The illustrator does a great job depicting what it may have really looked like on that bus all those years ago. You almost feel like you are really there! The author did a great job conveying the sense of how African American people must have felt being treated so unfairly and the injustices they had to endure. Readers can sense the determination and bravery that Rosa Parks had to stand up for what she believed in, even if it meant going to jail! The young boy's mother could see the determination that Rosa Parks had and you could tell she felt the same way. At first the young boy is a little scared about what happened, but after Ms. Parks is taken to jail he starts feeling stronger and more confident that it is possible to stand up to injustices. This would be a good book to read aloud to students when starting a unit on Famous Americans, especially Rosa Parks and the civil rights movement. I really liked this book and I believe in the importance of the Civil Rights movement very much! A great book to talk about history and how out country has changed from those past events. The students will see how far we have come and how we can continue to make improvements in our country. Having the students come up with ways they can help in the community is a good starting point and teaching citizenship. Teaching the skills in fun and engaging ways will help the students connect and want to know more about becoming a good citizen.
Rosa Parks told from a child's perspective. Great story witih great illustrations by Floyd Cooper.
—Madd_Dogg
Beautiful pictures and a nice imagining of a child witnessing the Rosa Parks bus event.
—dcollette
From the back of the bus, an African American child watches the arrest of Rosa Parks.
—Joeybuckets
A young child and his mother are on the bus when Rosa Parks is arrested.
—liselah
Excellent book for children, especially during black history month.
—josh
