I am Rosa Parks was written by
Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos in 2014, for ages 5 to 8
years old. This is a picturebook biography series about Rosa Parks and how she
stood up for herself and helped to pave the way for other African American
people. Ms. Rosa Parks stayed seated when others demanded for her to move. This
may seem like a small statement but it was strong and bold, and through it, changes
were made. Rosa Parks helped to end bus segregation. She also helped to launch
the Civil Rights Movement. This story is told in a way that children can comprehend.
Children can learn to appreciate American history and its importance.
The
illustrations are comic style in which children can appreciate. The beautiful
artwork is both charming and entertaining. The illustrations enhance the story
of Rosa Parks. The illustrations and the story are educational but they keep
the interest of the young readers. The illustrations are unique in that there
are captions with the pictures. The reader can see the emotions of the
characters throughout the book. You can see movement through the illustrations
and the words of importance are in bold print. There are actual real pictures
present of Rosa Parks at the end of the book.
Discussion Questions:
Do
you think that Rosa Parks is a leader?
What
did she do that makes her be heroic?
Why
do you think Rosa parks stayed seated?
Do
you think that Rosa Parks did the right thing by staying seated? Why/Why not?
What
type of positive things can you do to make a powerful statement like Ms. Rosa
Parks?
Leadership Activity:
Have
students write down a list of at least ten traits of a leader. Then ask them to
name a person who was a great leader in our American history that made a
positive difference. They can name a leader that best fits their list of
leadership traits and discuss this with their classmates. They can also have
fun practicing being a great leader in class. Each week the teacher can pick a
dfferent student to be the leader.
Books by the Author:
I am
Jackie Robinson
I am
Abraham Lincoln
I am
Amelia Earhart
I am
Albert Einstein
The
Inner Circle
Heroes
for my Daughter
Resources:
Meltzer,
Brad. (2014). I am Rosa Parks. Dial
Books Publishing.
This is a great book to read during Black History Month. Rosa Parks is a huge part of history. Rosa parks refused to give up her seat on the bus because she wanted change. An activity I would do is have the students chose a change in the classroom . I would pair the students up in groups. The students would present their change , and we would chose our favorite. I would use their change in the classroom.
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