Twelve Days in May: Freedom Ride 1961

by Larry Dane Brimner Narrated by Kevin R. Free

Overview

On May 4, 1961, thirteen activists-black and white, young and old, male and female-board two buses in Washington, D.C., for New Orleans, Louisiana. Their Freedom Ride will last just twelve days. But their mission is clear. The laws prohibiting segregation on buses crossing state lines and at bus stations are being violated. These Freedom Riders are determined to draw attention to the laws' lack of enforcement. But what starts as a peaceful protest turns violent as they travel deeper into the South.

This is their story.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
An ALA Notable Children's Book
Booklist Editors' Choice
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books

“Brimner ... presents a straightforward narrative approach to the subject that will appeal to readers. ... An essential part of civil rights collections and a worthy addition to all nonfiction shelves.”-School Library Journal, starred review

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

★ “An engaging and accessible account . . . presents a straightforward narrative approach to the subject that will appeal to readers. The stark, black-and-white design of the text emphasizes the directness of the prose, while the riveting, full-page photos and descriptive captions enhance the reading experience . . . an essential part of civil rights collections and a worthy addition to all nonfiction shelves.” —School Library Journal, starred review

★ “Brimner, whose books on the civil rights era include Birmingham Sunday (2010) and Black and White (2011), presents a tightly focused, present-tense account of what happened during the May 1961 Freedom Rides. Presented on spacious pages with striking design, the many large, archival black-and-white photos transport readers back in time. While the introductory and concluding sections offer helpful summaries of four major Supreme Court rulings on segregation from 1896 to 1960 and short biographies of the 13 Freedom Riders, the heart of the book is its straightforward, concise, day-by-day reporting of the journey. A memorable presentation of inherently dramatic and historically significant events.” —Booklist, starred review
 
“Sibert Honor-winning author Brimner (Black and White, 2011) explores the first Freedom Ride in May 1961 . . . Brimner does an excellent job giving the necessary context for the events, and the day-by-day focus provides dramatic tension for the narrative. Useful backmatter includes biographical sketches, bibliography, source notes, index, and picture credits. Richly illustrated with period photographs and strikingly designed, this is a clear, accessible depiction of a major story in the civil rights movement.” —Kirkus Reviews
 
“A superb overview of Freedom Summer, Brimner’s merger of history with photographs imparts the drama and significance of the Freedom Ride of 1961. A powerful message about daring and persistence . . . Crucial to the even-handed writing of the text is a controlled tone, free of unnecessary accusations and sensationalism… Brimner’s organization of print, video, and website source material . . . stress to young readers the elements of bias-free research. An essential addition to public and middle school libraries, the gripping history of the Freedom Summer promotes understanding of a turning point in U.S. race relations.” —VOYA
 
“Readers will get a true sense of the violence and fear that the riders were subject to the closer they got to their destination. Thanks to well-placed b&w historical photos, the discrimination, confrontations, and violence surrounding this Freedom ride are clearly depicted. Simply written, the text succinctly describes the events of the trip . . . This volume will serve as an excellent resource on this historic event and its participants.” —School Library Connection

“Using a straightforward, present-tense narrative and a diary-style format . . . this [is a] well-researched and accessible account of a precedent-setting protest.” —Publishers Weekly
 
“Brimner’s presentation—with its oversized trim and photographs, and its dramatic black and white layout—is well suited for readalouds and use by readers of diverse ages, reading levels, and backgrounds. This title should spring off the nonfiction shelves and into the attention of middle-school readers.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books  

“Brimner’s narrative summarizes and recounts the highlights of those violent, turbulent days, but the main attraction of this book is its photographs. A striking and spacious book design with black-and-white images provides immediacy.” —The Horn Book Magazine

Kirkus Reviews

2017-07-15
Even after some Jim Crow laws were declared unconstitutional, many states continued to refuse to adhere to the changes. Sibert Honor-winning author Brimner (Black and White, 2011) explores the first "Freedom Ride" in May 1961, as seven black and six white activists ranging in age from 18 to 61 set out to bring attention to this resistance. Recruited by the Congress of Racial Equality, they left Washington, D.C., on commercial buses, planning to arrive in New Orleans on May 17 to celebrate the seventh anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. As they traveled south, they encountered expected resistance. White Freedom Riders were denied service at colored-only lunch counters. Joseph Perkins, a black rider, attempted to get a shoeshine in the "white chair" and, when he refused to move, was arrested. As the bus continued south, the responses to the riders became increasingly more violent. Three of the group, including John Lewis, were severely beaten even though they remained nonviolent. As they approached Birmingham, Alabama, they were met by the Ku Klux Klan and abandoned by law enforcement. Brimner does an excellent job giving the necessary context for the events, and the day-by-day focus provides dramatic tension for the narrative. Useful backmatter includes biographical sketches, bibliography, source notes, index, and picture credits. Richly illustrated with period photographs and strikingly designed, this is a clear, accessible depiction of a major story in the civil rights movement. (Nonfiction. 10-18)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192599273
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	08/13/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

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