Rhonda Rucker

One kid learns a lesson on how dangerous making assumptions can be.

Marvin hates shopping, but Mama takes him to the new Rich’s department store for new pants. After Marvin tries on “everything in the store,” they finally go to the grill inside Rich’s for lunch. But sitting at the lunch counter is for “whites only,” and an older white man reminds Marvin of this when the boy tries out the shiny red swivel stools. But Mama says change is coming. When the family gets the opportunity to help usher in the change, the kids participate too. Since the city won’t allow black citizens to picket in front of Rich’s, they organize a pray-in instead. During this momentous event, Marvin realizes that blacks are not fighting for civil rights alone. This epiphany changes his life. Based on an incident in the childhood of co-author James “Sparky” Rucker, this story takes place in Knoxville, Tennessee. Since so many children’s stories about the movement take place in Alabama, Louisiana, or Mississippi, this one will help to broaden young readers’ understanding of its geographical reach. Nicol’s illustrations, with deep, rich colors, capture well the determination of the black citizens and the stress that comes with breaking through racial barriers.

A fine picture book to sit on the shelf alongside Ruby Bridges’ Through My Eyes (1999) and Doreen Rappaport and Bryan Collier’s Martin’s Big Words (2001) . (Picture book. 4-8)

-Kirkus Review… (altro)

This is a short book but it is filled with a great message. The book is told through a little boy’s perspective about segregation. A new store, Rich’s Department Store, has recently opened and his mom is taking him shopping. He was curious to what the “white only” signs he saw at the water fountain and the lunch counter meant and he wondered why every time his mom saw them she would say ‘One of these days”. The little boy sat at the lunch counter at Rich’s waiting for his food and was approached by two white men. The little boy didn’t sit to be rebellious, he simply was unaware of the what the “white only” policy meant. The oldest white man pointed to the sign and told the little boy he was not able to sit at the counter. The young boy struggled to understand why African Americans were treated this way, and although he never fully processed the deeper reasons why, he is more than happy to do his part to help bring about a change. His part was to participate in a pray-in; to get down on his knees with other people who are protesting for the cause and pray to encourage other shoppers not to buy from the store. While at the pray-in, he was approached by one of the men who approached him when he sat at the lunch counter. He was nervous and afraid but he realized he made a bad assumption. The man asked if he could kneel next to him and actually join the little boy in prayer. At that moment the little boy knew he made a difference. I really think this is a great read for children. Segregation can be a tough topic to discuss but the words in this book were chosen carefully and it should how a little boy made a difference.… (altro)

After a day of shopping, Marvin and his mother go to the local grill for lunch. As his mom orders food, Marvin notices that only white folk can sit at the counter and enjoy their meals. He asks his mother why this is and she responds that it won't be that way forever. Soon, the family gets involved in a peaceful protest. Marvin prays for a future where he is allowed to sit at the counter in the red swivel chairs. This is based on an event that happened to co-author James Rucker.

The illustrations in this book really drive the point home. The expressions on characters' faces show the anguish and tension of the situation. Marvin is right, it really wasn't fair that only white folk could sit at the counter. There's a note that helps explain the situation better for younger readers. It's a bad situation, but kids can easily see how things have changed since then and how they haven't.… (altro)