97 pages • 3 hours read
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
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Book Brief
160
Biography • Nonfiction
Montgomery, Alabama • 1950s
2009
YA
12-18 years
1000L
Super Short Summary
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose recounts the story of Claudette Colvin, a courageous teenager who resisted Jim Crow laws in 1955 Montgomery, Alabama, by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white person. Despite her arrest and the challenges she faced, including prejudice due to her age and economic status, Claudette played a pivotal role in the court case that ended bus segregation, though she struggled with a lack of support from the activist community afterward. The book addresses anti-Black racism, racial violence, and contains references to sexual assault and exploitation.
Informative
Inspirational
Challenging
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
6,836 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Phillip Hoose’s Claudette Colvin garners praise for its gripping narrative and detailed research, illuminating a lesser-known civil rights hero. Reviewers appreciate its engaging prose and historical significance. However, some critique the book's pace and desire more depth in certain areas. Overall, it is heralded as an inspiring and informative read for all ages.
Who Should Read Claudette Colvin?
Readers who enjoy Claudette Colvin by Phillip Hoose are typically interested in civil rights history and young protagonists who make significant impacts. Fans of The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis and March by John Lewis will find this book compelling and educational.
6,836 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Claudette Colvin
Claudette Colvin
A determined young woman from Montgomery who, at age 15, refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus, setting the stage for the civil rights movement and contributing significantly to the Browder v. Gayle court case.
Mary Ann Colvin
Mary Ann Colvin
Claudette's adoptive mother who provided strong support for her daughter’s activism and sheltered her through significant events. She played a key role in Claudette’s upbringing in a loving environment.
Q. P. Colvin
Q. P. Colvin
Claudette’s adoptive father, known for his hard work and steadfast support of Claudette’s civil rights efforts, ensuring her actions had family backing.
Delphine Colvin
Delphine Colvin
Claudette’s younger sister who died of polio, her death profoundly affecting Claudette’s outlook and resolve in challenging racial injustices.
Baby Tell and Mama Sweetie
Baby Tell and Mama Sweetie
Close family friends of Mary Ann who played nurturing roles in Claudette’s life, providing her with wisdom and support as she navigated her teen years and activism.
Reverend H. H. Johnson
Reverend H. H. Johnson
A supportive pastor who actively defended Claudette after her arrest and encouraged her participation in crucial civil rights efforts.
Jeremiah Reeves
Jeremiah Reeves
A talented musician and neighbor of Claudette, whose wrongful conviction and execution highlighted racial injustice and influenced Claudette’s activism.
Miss Geraldine Nesbitt and Miss Josie Lawrence
Miss Geraldine Nesbitt and Miss Josie Lawrence
Teachers at Booker T. Washington High who inspired Claudette with lessons in critical analysis and African history, shaping her understanding of civil rights.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
A national civil rights organization that initially supported Claudette’s case but later shifted focus to better-known figures like Rosa Parks.
Fred Gray
Fred Gray
Claudette’s lawyer who represented her in court cases challenging bus segregation, playing a pivotal role in the eventual success of the Browder v. Gayle case.
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks
A civil rights icon whose subsequent refusal to relinquish her bus seat became a key event in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, overshadowing Claudette’s earlier stand.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
A rising civil rights leader during Claudette’s case who later became the prominent figurehead of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Mayor W. A. “Tacky” Gayle
Mayor W. A. “Tacky” Gayle
The mayor of Montgomery who opposed integration efforts during the bus boycotts and was a key defendant in the Browder v. Gayle case.
160
Biography • Nonfiction
Montgomery, Alabama • 1950s
2009
YA
12-18 years
1000L
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