sarful's review against another edition
5.0
What a great look at Rosa Parks the civil rights activist. She pays close attention to what Rosa did before and after the bus boycott with careful detail and it's so refreshing go read. I very much enjoyed every word. Why a woman Rosa was. And her legacy is that much more rich.
rosiewants2read's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
5.0
smfields's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
beccakatie's review against another edition
4.0
I can’t believe this book took me 6 months to finish! Had to put it down for ages because of university and work but I’ve finally read it.
I loved this book, I love studying the civil rights movement and already knew a little about Rosa Parks, although only the bus boycott (I did know the true story of that though, not the myth), and it was great to read such an in-depth book about her life before and after.
The way the book challenges how Rosa Park’s legacy has been co-opted is fascinating and thought provoking, and her decades of campaigning and dedication are truly inspiring.
I found that the book did get quite repetitive in the middle, a lot of the same ideas and information were rehashed and could have done with editing.
Overall this book was an illuminating and authoritative work on a leader of the civil rights movement who has too often been overlooked or misunderstood.
I loved this book, I love studying the civil rights movement and already knew a little about Rosa Parks, although only the bus boycott (I did know the true story of that though, not the myth), and it was great to read such an in-depth book about her life before and after.
The way the book challenges how Rosa Park’s legacy has been co-opted is fascinating and thought provoking, and her decades of campaigning and dedication are truly inspiring.
I found that the book did get quite repetitive in the middle, a lot of the same ideas and information were rehashed and could have done with editing.
Overall this book was an illuminating and authoritative work on a leader of the civil rights movement who has too often been overlooked or misunderstood.
lizmart88's review against another edition
4.0
An essential book to read to understand one of the most important figures in civil rights history.
The life of Rosa Parks is often misunderstood. She is either a woman who was just tired or a strategic political operative. Neither are the whole truth.
This book covers her early life and her parent's experience in community activism. It explores her lifelong involvement in the naacp as secretary and active member. And it reviews not just Claudette Colvin, the 15 year old who refused to give up her seat, but the half dozen others who had refused to give up their seats. This thorough context helps explain why her civil disobedience was so powerful.
Most importantly, it covers her life afterward. She suffered many years of inability to find steady work. She moved away from Alabama to Detroit. But through all the challenges, she maintained her activism.
Highly recommend this book to everyone! Women too often get the short end of the stick in history. MlK and Malcolm X are so important, but Rosa Parks also deserves a thorough biography.
The life of Rosa Parks is often misunderstood. She is either a woman who was just tired or a strategic political operative. Neither are the whole truth.
This book covers her early life and her parent's experience in community activism. It explores her lifelong involvement in the naacp as secretary and active member. And it reviews not just Claudette Colvin, the 15 year old who refused to give up her seat, but the half dozen others who had refused to give up their seats. This thorough context helps explain why her civil disobedience was so powerful.
Most importantly, it covers her life afterward. She suffered many years of inability to find steady work. She moved away from Alabama to Detroit. But through all the challenges, she maintained her activism.
Highly recommend this book to everyone! Women too often get the short end of the stick in history. MlK and Malcolm X are so important, but Rosa Parks also deserves a thorough biography.
trisaratops86's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating book about a woman who is simultaneously very famous and little-known. Rosa Parks was far more than a tired seamstress who refused to get off a bus one say, she was a revolutionary activist who spent her life fighting for equality and an end to oppression.
laurabrantreads's review against another edition
4.0
This is such an important book. Theoharis documents the life long commitments of Mrs. Rosa Parks. The author provides a vital breadth of information regarding her relationships with other civil rights leaders and causes. I learned about the past of Mrs. Parks and her tireless work toward a better future. Mrs. Parks brought us a long way but Theoharis clearly shows that we must fight against a singular narrative that allows us to think of the civil rights movement as complete. Until the percentages of wealth by race reflect the population of the race we have not achieved liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Mrs. Parks and Ms. Theoharis for making the current needs so clear.
emmkayt's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent biography. Theoharis probes Rosa Parks' iconography (the tired, meek seamstress; a single, unplanned moment ), looking at how it was created and has been deployed both by the civil rights movement and, in more modern times, by those who want to suggest that the US is now 'post-racial.' At the same time, she shows how Parks in fact was much more than her role as a symbol would suggest, having been active in civil rights long before the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott, and having continued as an activist in the north after her move to Detroit - admiring Malcolm X, attending Black Power meetings, protesting the Vietnam War. The writing is workmanlike and a little repetitive, but the scholarship is impressive and the content is fascinating. Really glad to have read it.
bluehairedlibrarian's review
3.0
While it's full of great information, I can't help but feel that a lot of this is written for a middle grade audience rather than YA. Also, it feels really unfocused at times, meandering through the history of side characters and lacking the focus on Rosa Parks that the title and cover implies. There is also many moments of conjecture that bothered me in what's supposed to be a history book for teens. Over all, I learned a lot of things I didn't previously know, but I read this for an awards committee and I can't say that this is at the level I was expecting.
beverleefernandez's review against another edition
5.0
Mrs. Parks was a rebellious soul & for that she commands a high level if respect. She believed in equality for all & never gave up the fight for equal treatment under the law.
While I'm glad that Ms. Theoharis has documented what happened to Mrs. Parks after 12/1/55, it's appalling to know that she is taught as quiet, non threatening, & tired. It takes courage, strength, and faith to fight for freedom. Mrs. Parks was a fighter her entire life. It is not enough to talk loudly, one must be bold & decisive in their actions as Mrs. Parks taught us. I definitely believe this text should be mandatory reading.
While I'm glad that Ms. Theoharis has documented what happened to Mrs. Parks after 12/1/55, it's appalling to know that she is taught as quiet, non threatening, & tired. It takes courage, strength, and faith to fight for freedom. Mrs. Parks was a fighter her entire life. It is not enough to talk loudly, one must be bold & decisive in their actions as Mrs. Parks taught us. I definitely believe this text should be mandatory reading.