The Children (book) facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | David Halberstam |
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| Cover artist | David Halberstam |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Ballantine Books |
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Publication date
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1998 |
| Pages | 816 |
| ISBN | 0-449-00439-2 |
The Children is an important book written in 1998 by David Halberstam. It tells the story of the Nashville Student Movement, which happened between 1959 and 1962.
This book explores key events like the Nashville sit-ins and the Freedom Riders. It also explains how the SNCC was formed. The book highlights the brave young people who led these efforts, including James Lawson, James Bevel, Diane Nash, John Lewis, Bernard Lafayette, Marion Barry, and C. T. Vivian.
Contents
About "The Children" Book
This book focuses on a group of young people who were very important in the Civil rights movement in the United States. They were students in Nashville, Tennessee. They worked together to fight for equal rights for African Americans.
Key Events in the Book
The book covers several major events that helped change American history. These events showed how young people could make a big difference.
The Nashville Sit-ins
The Nashville sit-ins were peaceful protests where Black and white students sat at lunch counters. These counters were only for white people at the time. The students would sit there and ask to be served. They faced unfair treatment but did not fight back. Their actions helped end segregation in many public places.
The Freedom Riders
The Freedom Riders were groups of civil rights activists. They rode buses into the southern United States in 1961. They wanted to challenge unfair laws that kept buses segregated. These rides were often dangerous, but they helped bring attention to the need for equal rights.
Forming SNCC
The book also talks about the creation of the SNCC. This group was made up of young people. They played a big role in organizing many protests and actions during the Civil Rights Movement. SNCC helped give a voice to young activists.
Important Leaders Featured
The Children tells the stories of many brave young people. These individuals became important leaders in the fight for civil rights.
- James Lawson: He taught students about nonviolent protest methods.
- James Bevel: A powerful speaker and organizer.
- Diane Nash: A fearless leader who helped plan many protests.
- John Lewis: He later became a well-known politician.
- Bernard Lafayette: He worked to register Black voters.
- Marion Barry: He later became the mayor of Washington, D.C.
- C. T. Vivian: A minister and a strong voice for justice.
What Critics Said About the Book
Kirkus Reviews called The Children a "powerful account." They said it showed a very important time in American history. The book tells the story from both a close-up view of the people and a wider view of the events.
Publishers Weekly described the book as "at once intimate and monumental." This means it felt personal while also covering big historical events. They noted the book has interesting short essays. These essays explain things like the history of newspapers in Nashville, Tennessee. They also talk about the role of the United States Department of Justice under President John F. Kennedy.
