Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney, illustrator
(2010). Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down. New York City, NY:
Little, Brown and Company. ISBN:
978-0-316-07016-4
Author
website: No website found.
Ilustrator
website: http://www.brianpinkney.net/
Media:
watercolor and india ink
Genre:
biography, non-fiction, juvenile literature, civil rights movement, history
Annotation
Four African American students in Greensboro (NC) peacefully refuse to
leave Woolworth’s lunch counter that only served white people. Their peaceful
nonviolent act would inspire others to follow and led to more sit-ins and the
end of segregation.
My thoughts
Many have said ‘this is a powerful book’ and it really is. Based on true
events that happened in Greensboro in 1960, this book serves as a pictorial
representation of a pivotal turning point in our country’s social history. Sit-in: How Four Friends Stood up by Sitting Down is also is a good
representative for the power of a good picture book. The storyline, quotes,
comments, and illustrates all combine to make this a great multicultural
picture book that showcases the Civil Rights and the struggle for equality of
the 1960s.
Andrea Davis Pinkney takes this great event and through the personal perspectives
of the teenagers and storyline she makes it come alive and become more relatable
for children and teens. The book effectively demonstrates the power of people
when they work together for a cause that is right inspired by Reverend Martin
Luther King, Jr. Actual quotes from Dr. King's speeches within the text to help
explain the protesters motivation to keep peaceful. These teenagers sat at a
counter and asked for a simple doughnut and coffee. This was a peaceful sit-in
for justice and equality not a complex revolution or a political scheme.
The watercolors by Brian Pinkney come across as modern and classic. They
added to the story and did not distract from the powerful words and storyline.
The food metaphor and the story really hits you in the gut. Typically, the Civil
Rights Movement is one that young people have trouble relating to because of its complexity, but stories
such as this really help bring it to life. I also really enjoyed the back of the book's Civil Rights Timeline (in paragraph form from 1954 to 1964), the photograph of
the "Greensboro Four" in Woolworth's, the more in depth look at the
incident and the times, and additional recommended book and website resources.
These 40 pages are really packed with information!
Memorable Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.’s quotes.
“We must meed violence with nonviolence.”
“Demonstrate… calm dignity.”
“We are all leaders.”
“We must… must meet hate with love.”
“Be loving enough to absorb evil.”
Other memorable quotes:
“They sat straight and proud. And waited. And wanted. A doughnut and
coffee, with cream on the side.”
“Practicing peace while other showed hatred was tougher than any school
test.”
“… it’s not about food – it’s about pride.”
Curricular
connections
This material can be added into a Civil Rights Lesson plan for History
and Social Studies (grade 4-6). Both the words and art can be added to a
discussion.
Literary
devices
Use of Metaphor:
The recipe for
equality and integration throughout the book.
Use of
Repetition: “They did not
need menus. Their order was simple. A doughnut and coffee, with cream on the
side.”
Reading level/ Interest Age
Grades 4-6
Reviews and Awards
Jane Addams
Honor Book (Awards)
Booklist
Starred Review
School Library
Journal Starred Review
