“Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice” by Phillip Hoose

In addition to winning the National Book Award, this nonfiction title has picked up pretty much every award out there. The story of the 15 year-old girl who really started the Montgomery Bus boycott, it is an important book to share. We all know Rosa Parks and Brown v. Board of Education, how is it we don’t know of Claudette Colvin and Browder v. Gayle? The answer to the first part is that Claudette may have gone before Mrs. Parks, but she wasn’t the poster-girl the civil rights leaders were looking for. The answer to the second is less clear … Browder v. Gayle was the case that ended the boycott by striking down Plessy v. Ferguson not only in the schools, but in public venues like mass transit. Like Brown v. Board of Education, the Browder decision was ignored by the city heads until they received an express letter from Washington making it clear they were to abide by the ruling. The book is excellent in the historical data that is mined and presented – images of all sorts are attractively arranged on the pages. After the opening section, Mr. Hoose manages to avoid my pet-peeve with such works – opinionated preachiness. I maintain that if the story is compelling enough, you don’t need to inject the author’s viewpoint. The story is compelling and told in a direct, clear manner. Voices of those who were there infuse the events, making the reader feel as if they are part of this history. Mr. Hoose did his research well and is deserved for the praise that has been heaped upon him – but he keeps his perspective. When accepting the National Book Award he brought Ms. Colvin onstage with him. Rosa Parks may have been put forward as the shining beacon for a movement, but Claudette Colvin reminds us that those who speak up and speak out for human rights are not always championed. It’s a good lesson for all – that often, those who do the right thing face hardships.