March Book One

                                                              March Book One

Lexile Level: GN760L

            This book is written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin. The illustrations are done by Nate Powell. This graphic novel discusses the movement that John Lewis was involved with. The book starts out with a mother and her two sons entering the congressman’s office. John Lewis takes time out to tell about his childhood and the movement’s he was involved in. He was a part of a movement where black people in the 60s would sit at restaurant counters, ones that would not allow black people to sit at. He discussed the rules of these movements, like to be courteous, and friendly. This book is brilliantly written and it really gives an interesting look about the movement from someone that was involved.
Is this a good story?
            I think this is a great story for students to read because it is a very informative, easy read. I think that this book is brilliantly written as a graphic novel, I think it will hold student’s attention to this story.  

Did the characters seem real? Did the characters’ personalities and reasons for their actions match?

            The characters are based on real people. From knowing who John Lewis is, the character portrayed in the book really reflects John Lewis. His personality is perfectly depicted. The character’s personalities and reasons for their actions do match. John Lewis is a very active member in civil rights.

Are the factual and historical detail accurate?

            The historical details are accurate. This book is co-written by John Lewis and he remember these movements and when they happened. It is an autobiography of his life and the things that he was involved in.

Did the characters in the story grow? Where did we see that happen?

            John Lewis did grow in the book. The book starts out by discussing how he lived in on a farm in Alabama. He discusses the chickens on that farm, and how he wanted to be a preacher. Then he experiences life in the north and he wants to be civil rights activist. At this point in the book the reader can see a difference in the character.
            The authors include onomatopoeia in this book like “creak” when doors open or “bzzzz” when alarms go off. The authors also include hyperboles, like “I found my way to the candy counter and it was like magic” (Lewis, Aydin, 44). The authors include flashbacks as well the story starts in present day and then flashes back to John Lewis’ life on the farm.
            The illustrations in this graphic novel are done in all black and white. They show a lot of emotions between characters. The illustrations also help the reader connect together what is going on in the story. On some pages of this story there is no words just pictures, and those pictures speak so loud to what the story is about.

            A mini lesson I would do with my students for this book is I would have the students do a container with a lid activity. Students would need to bring in items that represent themes or characters in this book. The students would need to bring ten things total. The student would then split into groups and discuss what they brought in and why. Then the students would choose two items from their groups, and write a 1-2 about why these items are important to the book.

Citation:
Lewis, J. Aydin, A., and Powell, N. (illustrator). 2013. March Book One. Top Shelf Productions.