Elementary Secondary Higher Ed Common Reads

Secondary Education


Guides
Collections
News
(0)
Wish List (0)
Wish List
Download high-resolution image Look inside
Listen to a clip from the audiobook
audio pause button
0:00
0:00

Because Claudette

Author Tracey Baptiste
Illustrated by Tonya Engel
Look inside
Listen to a clip from the audiobook
audio pause button
0:00
0:00
Hardcover
$18.99 US
Penguin Young Readers | Dial Books
8.88"W x 11.31"H x 0.34"D  
On sale Feb 01, 2022 | 32 Pages | 9780593326404
Grades 1-3
Reading Level: Lexile NC980L | Fountas & Pinnell O
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies
See Additional Formats
From NYT bestselling author Tracey Baptiste comes a singular picture book that is both a biography about Claudette Colvin, the teen whose activism launched the Montgomery bus boycott, and a celebration of collective action.

When fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin boarded a segregated bus on March 2, 1955, she had no idea she was about to make history. At school she was learning about abolitionists like Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth, which helped inspire her decision to refuse to give up her seat to a white woman, which led to her arrest, which began a crucial chain of events: Rosa Park's sit-in nine months later, the organization of the Montgomery bus boycott by activists like Professor Jo Ann Robinson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the Supreme Court decision that Alabama's bus segregation was unconstitutional—a major triumph for the civil rights movement.

Because of Claudette's brave stand against injustice, history was transformed. Now it's time for young readers to learn about this living legend, her pivotal role in the civil rights movement, and the power of one person reaching out to another in the fight for change.
© Latifah Abdur
Tracey Baptiste is the New York Times bestselling author of several works of fiction and nonfiction for children, including the Jumbies series, Marley and the Family Band, Because Claudette, and Minecraft: The Crash. Baptiste teaches in Lesley University's creative writing MFA program and volunteers with The Brown Bookshelf. You can find her on Twitter @TraceyBaptiste and on Instagram @TraceyBaptisteWrites. View titles by Tracey Baptiste
Tonya Engel View titles by Tonya Engel
Jane Addams Children's Book Award finalist
Texas Topaz Reading List unanimous recommendation

*“A gorgeous tribute to a young Black activist that will inspire many readers. Add this to all picture book biography shelves. Luminous.”—School Library Journal, starred review

*“A powerful narrative that showcases generative energy of acts of resistance both big and small.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

*“This approachable biography of the young activist highlights her bravery, commitment, and vulnerability. Young readers will appreciate learning about a regular kid who did something extraordinary. . . . An engaging profile of an inspiring civil rights hero whom readers will enjoy learning about and cheering for.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“The book’s unusual title echoes the many sentences beginning with the word because and forming a chain of connected circumstances and events. . . . Created with acrylic underpainting and oils, the vivid illustrations capture the look of the times and the satisfaction of those who challenged injustice and prevailed. An effective picture book portraying Colvin and her significance in the civil rights movement.”—Booklist

About

From NYT bestselling author Tracey Baptiste comes a singular picture book that is both a biography about Claudette Colvin, the teen whose activism launched the Montgomery bus boycott, and a celebration of collective action.

When fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin boarded a segregated bus on March 2, 1955, she had no idea she was about to make history. At school she was learning about abolitionists like Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth, which helped inspire her decision to refuse to give up her seat to a white woman, which led to her arrest, which began a crucial chain of events: Rosa Park's sit-in nine months later, the organization of the Montgomery bus boycott by activists like Professor Jo Ann Robinson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the Supreme Court decision that Alabama's bus segregation was unconstitutional—a major triumph for the civil rights movement.

Because of Claudette's brave stand against injustice, history was transformed. Now it's time for young readers to learn about this living legend, her pivotal role in the civil rights movement, and the power of one person reaching out to another in the fight for change.

Author

© Latifah Abdur
Tracey Baptiste is the New York Times bestselling author of several works of fiction and nonfiction for children, including the Jumbies series, Marley and the Family Band, Because Claudette, and Minecraft: The Crash. Baptiste teaches in Lesley University's creative writing MFA program and volunteers with The Brown Bookshelf. You can find her on Twitter @TraceyBaptiste and on Instagram @TraceyBaptisteWrites. View titles by Tracey Baptiste
Tonya Engel View titles by Tonya Engel

Praise

Jane Addams Children's Book Award finalist
Texas Topaz Reading List unanimous recommendation

*“A gorgeous tribute to a young Black activist that will inspire many readers. Add this to all picture book biography shelves. Luminous.”—School Library Journal, starred review

*“A powerful narrative that showcases generative energy of acts of resistance both big and small.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

*“This approachable biography of the young activist highlights her bravery, commitment, and vulnerability. Young readers will appreciate learning about a regular kid who did something extraordinary. . . . An engaging profile of an inspiring civil rights hero whom readers will enjoy learning about and cheering for.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“The book’s unusual title echoes the many sentences beginning with the word because and forming a chain of connected circumstances and events. . . . Created with acrylic underpainting and oils, the vivid illustrations capture the look of the times and the satisfaction of those who challenged injustice and prevailed. An effective picture book portraying Colvin and her significance in the civil rights movement.”—Booklist

Additional formats

Other Books by this Author

Related Articles

English Language Arts Social Studies History

Books for Native American Heritage Month

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month this November, Penguin Random House Education is highlighting books that detail the history of Native Americans, and stories that explore Native American culture and experiences. Browse our collections here: Native American Creators Native American History & Culture

Read more

Books for Native American Heritage Month

English Language Arts Social Studies History
Social Studies Books in Spanish The Arts History High School Middle School General Education & Professional Learning Graphic Novels English Language Arts Environmental Science Favorite Authors & Series Science

2024 Middle and High School Collections

The Penguin Random House Education Middle School and High School Digital Collections feature outstanding fiction and nonfiction from the children’s, adult, DK, and Grupo Editorial divisions, as well as publishers distributed by Penguin Random House. Peruse online or download these valuable resources to discover great books in specific topic areas such as: English Language Arts,

Read more

2024 Middle and High School Collections

Social Studies Books in Spanish The Arts History High School Middle School General Education & Professional Learning Graphic Novels English Language Arts Environmental Science Favorite Authors & Series Science
new penguin random house education high school collections sixteen thematic collections and resources for grades 9-12 curated by lorena german cicely lewis morgan taylor julia e torres and ronell whitaker
General Classroom Libraries English Language Arts Advanced Placement High School Graphic Novels

PRH Education High School Collections

All reading communities should contain protected time for the sake of reading. Independent reading practices emphasize the process of making meaning through reading, not an end product. The school culture (teachers, administration, etc.) should affirm this daily practice time as inherently important instructional time for all readers. (NCTE, 2019)   The Penguin Random House High

Read more

PRH Education High School Collections

General Classroom Libraries English Language Arts Advanced Placement High School Graphic Novels
education translanguaging collections affirming bilingual and multilingual learners
General Graphic Novels Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series Classroom Libraries References Science Translanguaging Collections Social Studies The Arts History High School Middle School

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

Translanguaging is a communicative practice of bilinguals and multilinguals, that is, it is a practice whereby bilinguals and multilinguals use their entire linguistic repertoire to communicate and make meaning (García, 2009; García, Ibarra Johnson, & Seltzer, 2017)   It is through that lens that we have partnered with teacher educators and bilingual education experts, Drs.

Read more

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

General Graphic Novels Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series Classroom Libraries References Science Translanguaging Collections Social Studies The Arts History High School Middle School

About Secondary Education

Penguin Random House Education

Penguin Random House

About Secondary Education

Penguin Random House Education

Penguin Random House

Back to Top
0
    • 0
    Secondary Education
    Wish List (0)