Marching for Freedom

Gr 6 Up—After the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 outlawed segregation in public places, civil rights leaders turned their attention to removing the barriers put in place to keep African Americans from voting in the South. Selma, Alabama, became the focal point for this important fight, and Elizabeth Partridge's book (Viking, 2009) details the rallies, protests, arrests, and violence that occurred there in early 1965—including the horrific Bloody Sunday in which state troopers brutally attacked peaceful marchers. The protestors regrouped and set off on a five-day march to Montgomery where they were joined by thousands of supporters. The focus Partridge places on the children and teens who demonstrated remarkable bravery and who were integral to the success of the protests will resonate with listeners. Alan Bomar Jones narrates the taut prose with an even, measured pace interspersed with a rich rendition of the excerpts of the freedom songs and spirituals that were so inspirational to the participants. The text is filled with quotes, and Jones's unembellished reading lets listeners appreciate the individuals' words. A bonus CD includes the book's powerful photographs as well as the source notes and bibliography. A poignant author's note gives more insight into Partridge's motivation for writing the book. The superior text, narration, and bonus materials make this a worthy addition to non-fiction audiobook collections.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL