DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

Rosa's Bus

The Ride to Civil Rights

Jo S Kittinger author Steven Walker illustrator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Astra Publishing House

Published:26th Jan '17

Should be back in stock very soon

Rosa's Bus cover

In 1950s Montgomery, Alabama, segregated Bus #2857 becomes a symbol of change when Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat, igniting the Montgomery Bus Boycott led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Rosa's Bus tells the poignant story of the segregation that characterized public transportation in Montgomery, Alabama during the 1950s. At the heart of this narrative is Bus #2857, a symbol of the racial divisions of the time. White passengers occupied the front seats, while black passengers were relegated to the back. This status quo persisted until a courageous act by Rosa Parks, who, on a fateful day, refused to relinquish her seat to a white passenger. Her defiance became a catalyst for change, igniting a movement that would reshape American society.

Rosa Parks' arrest was not just an isolated incident; it marked the beginning of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the Civil Rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a young minister at the time, emerged as a prominent leader during this period. His advocacy for nonviolent resistance inspired many to join the cause. The boycott lasted for 382 days, during which the black community of Montgomery chose to walk rather than use the segregated buses, demonstrating their determination and solidarity in the fight for equality.

Through the lens of this significant historical moment, Rosa's Bus highlights the bravery of individuals who stood up against injustice. The book not only chronicles the events surrounding the boycott but also emphasizes the broader implications of Parks' actions and the resilience of the African American community. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the importance of standing up for what is right.

"Employing direct, accessible, relentless language arranged in free-verse stanzas, the author brings to life the drama of Parks's act (neither busting myths nor exploiting them) and the events it sparked. Walker's double-page, large-scale oils evoke the emotions of a determined people and perfectly complement the text. The author's note contextualizes the boycott and names Claudette Colvin and Mary Louise Smith as Parks's forerunners. Powerful." —Kirkus Reviews

"An inventive approach... kids will connect with the unsentimental, contemporary message: 'Imagine where it has been / and where we have yet to go.'" —Booklist

ISBN: 9781629798486

Dimensions: 276mm x 229mm x 4mm

Weight: 204g

40 pages