Book Review: “Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott” by Mara Rockliff
Age recommendation: 4 to 8 (though children of all ages can enjoy reading this with their families)
What Makes This One of the Best Children’s Books
The story of Rosa Parks‘ arrest and the resulting bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama remains famous as a turning point in the civil rights movement. But there is much more to these events than many might know.
Mara Rockliff’s “Sweet Justice” chronicles the empowering story of a lesser-known — but still important — participant in this boycott. It also paints a full picture of this historic protest, including society’s many attempts to stop it.
The book introduces young readers to 1955 segregated Montgomery, Alabama through the eyes of a real-life activist, Georgia Gilmore. Even before Rosa Parks’ arrest, she refuses to ride the city’s buses, on account of a driver who took her fare then drove off without her.
As the bus boycott begins, Gilmore becomes an active supporter. She sells her homemade food as a fundraiser for gas money, allowing many Black citizens to carpool, and creates a secret club for supporters. She even testifies on behalf of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he’s arrested for starting the boycott.
The book goes a step further than most accounts of this protest, by depicting the city’s many plots to end it. Police intimidate protesters at their church meetings, and arrest boycotters simply for awaiting car rides. Even Gilmore loses her job after testifying in support of Dr. King (after which he buys her supplies to start her own business).
Because the story highlights the hardships during the year-long protest, readers can fully understand the relief and jubilation when the protest ends with the desegregation of buses.
The book offers powerful lessons by portraying this story from Georgia Gilmore’s perspective. She might not be famous, but she represents the thousands of Black people who united to fight systemic oppression in Montgomery – demonstrating the power of a community to rally and stand together.
Georgia’s personal viewpoint also reveals how the injustices of racism affected so many aspects of Black citizens’ everyday lives, like being barred from the park and being hidden from sight even in their workplaces.
This story offers young readers a valuable overview of pivotal historic events, with a heartfelt message about the urgency to fight for justice.
How My Child Reacted to This Book
I wasn’t sure what to expect with my preschool-age son while reading this book. But to my surprise, he reacted very strongly to the injustices highlighted in the story.
He became especially vocal while he read the author’s note at the end, describing how the city of Montgomery fought further desegregation, even filling swimming pools with dirt rather than welcoming integration.
My son actually halted our reading several times to describe what he learned to another family member, and he continued to bring up events in the book hours after we read it. I think it’s made an impression on him even at a young age, and I look forward to reading this with him again as he grows older.
Potential Conversations to Pair with This Book
Families can cover a variety of significant topics after reading “Sweet Justice” together.
They can speak with kids about America’s tragic history of racism, and the importance of treating all people with kindness and respect. They can also discuss the power of protesting, and what forms of protest might help in addressing issues that kids care about.
As the main character aids many others in this book, families can also chat about ideas for supporting other community members in need.
More Children’s Books Like This
‘Finding Lincoln’ – A Boy Takes a Stand in a Segregated Town
‘Stompin’ at The Savoy’ Celebrates a Legendary Musician with a Disability
‘The Singer and the Scientist’ – A Historic, Musical Friendship that Defied Intolerance