Module 10: Freedom Summer

Summary

In the book, Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles and illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue, two kids who were best friends in the early 1960s find out the world isn't as simple to let two boys be friends and share experiences together in the age of open racism and segregation. The two boys, John Henry who is black and who is white, enjoy their summer by sharing there time together with fun activities that include swimming and eating ice cream. However, it is these two simple activities that bring them to discover the cruel reality of segregation and racism. When the boys go to an ice cream shop, the John Henry must enter though a back door while Joe gets to go through the front door. Then when segregation legally ends, they both decide to go swimming at the pool, but when they get to the pool they find that it has closed down because the owners do not want black people to swim in the pool with white people. However, they find that they can go into the grocery store together in the same entrance. 

Reference

 Wiles, D., & Lagarrigue, J. (2001). Freedom Summer. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Impressions

This book really encaptures the innocence of children and how racism is not inherent in human nature, but taught. The book begins with all the fun the two boys have with each other and it makes the common human element very apparent, but when the boys find disappointment in not being able to share a simple activity such as swimming, it really shows how racism and segregation is based on ignorance. The two boys seem to be caught in the wave of the times, which I think many people can relate in this present day. Near the end of the book, John Henry becomes aware of the reasons for segregation and deeply wishes to be treated like an equal human being, which I think does a good job of showing the way to fight for social and racial justice is through awareness that can change the mass consciousness for society for the better.

Professional Review

Children's Book Review: Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles, Author, Jerome Lagarrigue, Illustrator Atheneum Books $18.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-689-83016-7. Retrieved October 30, 2016, from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-689-83016-7 

Library Uses

This book could be used in an inclusive storytime that promotes friendship and a way to address some of the issues that have stood in the way of social and racial justice.