Rosa

Giovanni, N. (2005). Rosa. New York: Scholastic. 

Rosa tells the story of Rosa Parks and the events leading up to and following her arrest on December 1, 1955. It describes her thoughts and feeling before her saying "no", and the actions of the local women as they organize what would became the Birmingham Bus Boycott. It shows her strength, and the strength of the others around her as they work to overcome segregation.

Nikki Giovanni is a very talented writer. Her word choice is what makes this book so strong. My favorite quote is "They decided they would stand under the umbrella of courage Rosa Parks had offered, keeping off the rains of fear and self disgust." I love that image.

The illustrations in this book are striking. The illustrator, Bryan Collier, chose to use watercolors and collage to make his illustrations. In his illustrator's note he mentions using yellow hues to relate the heat in the South and the rising heat of the coming fight. The picture that impressed me the most is one just of Mrs. Parks's hands. She is tightly gripping her purse in fear and resolution as she refuses to move. There is strength and power in those hands.