Louis, a young African American boy, needs to write a report about Abraham Lincoln, but in the Alabama of 1951 he is not permitted into the public library. He decides to brave a journey into the library anyway, is escorted out, but gets a pleasant surprise.

Its 1952 in Alabama and Louis wants nothing more but to write a paper about when Abraham Lincoln was a little boy. The problem is its 1952 and Louis is not allowed to enter or check out books from the public library because of the sign that reads “white-only”. Mama tries to help by taking him to the church library, but they don’t have any books about Abraham Lincoln. Louis takes a chance and goes to the public library anyway. Louis is made to feel unwelcome by the people in the library and is escorted out of the library, but one of the librarians tells him to return the next day after five. When Louis returns the librarian helps him find a book and allows him to check it out. Louis writes his report and dreams of getting more books from the library.
The illustrations in the books depict how eager Louis was just to be able to enter the library to count the books. It seemed like such a large amount because Louis was denied access to such a wide variety of books. The library is painted with its doors open suggesting that everyone is invited in but right by the entrance is a small sign that says “whites only.” In the scene where Mama and Louis are in the church library, it is clear how small the selection of books offered to him is. The best illustration is the scene when Louis finally has the courage to enter the library. The reader can clearly see how frighten Louis is and instead of appearing helpful the people in the library are angry at him. I think on this page I would ask a child to imagine people angry with you because you walk into a library to check out a book. I think this would truly drive home the point of how absurd the laws of society were at this time.
The book gives an overall sense of the life of people during this time period. Through the librarian, the book also addresses how some people helped African Americans in ways that could have caused negative consequences for themselves. ( )

best fit 5. Also fits 2, 3, 4. C1 - Respecting views/rights of others (3rd). C2 - Resolving conflict (2nd). C1 - multiple perspectives (4th). C1 - rights (5th).

This book is about a young boy who needs to write an essay about the young Abraham Lincoln. The problem is that the book from the teacher does not cover his younger life so he needs to be able to check out a book from the library. Libraries are for whites only in Alabama during this time. He is brave enough to go in once, but is asked to leave. As he leaves, another librarian whispers for him to come back the next day at 5pm. He returns thinking he has nothing to lose. The nice librarian lets him get a temporary library card and a book for him to help him write his essay. Louis and his parents are thrilled about the news that he was able to check out a book. Louis and his father read the book and he ends up being able to write his essay for class.

Lovely picture book about a boy who, "did what he thought was right, even when it shook people up." ( )