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Aaron Reynolds
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Back of the Bus Kindle Edition

by Aaron Reynolds (Author), Floyd Cooper (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 105 ratings
Teachers' pick
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It seems like any other winter day in Montgomery, Alabama. Mama and child are riding where they're supposed to--way in the back of the bus. The boy passes the time by watching his marble roll up and down the aisle with the motion of the bus, until from way up front a big commotion breaks out. He can't see what's going on, but he can see the policeman arrive outside and he can see Mama's chin grow strong. "There you go, Rosa Parks," she says, "stirrin' up a nest of hornets. Tomorrow all this'll be forgot." But they both know differently.

With childlike words and powerful illustrations, Aaron Reynolds and Coretta Scott King medalist Floyd Cooper recount Rosa Parks' act of defiance through the eyes of a child--who will never forget.

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  1. Reading age
    6 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    1 - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    AD590L
  6. Publisher
    Philomel Books
  7. Publication date
    January 5, 2010
  8. Page Flip
    Not Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Not Enabled
  11. Sticky notes
    Not Enabled
  12. ISBN-13
    978-0399250910
  13. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Rosa Parks’ defiant December 1955 confrontation on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, is told from the fictionalized viewpoint of a child who is there. In free verse, he describes riding the bus with his mama (“We’re sittin’ right there where we’re supposed to— / way in back”) and rolling a marble down the aisle to the front, where smiling Mrs. Parks rolls it back to him. Then, as people pile on the bus, the driver tells Parks to move to the back. She refuses, and the driver calls the police. The boy “knows . . . she don’t belong up front like that, but then he realizes “maybe she does too.” The child’s innocent viewpoint personalizes the well-known historical event, while Cooper’s oil paintings, expertly rendered in his signature “subtractive” style, show the crowded bus as well as stunning portraits of Parks, the driver, the boy, and his mother as they decide that they are “not gonna hide no more.” Grades 1-3. --Hazel Rochman

Review

"Coupled with Cooper's rich paintings, this is a noteworthy reflection on the actions of a single individual in turning the tide of segregation."
—School Library Journal

"Cooper's filmy oil paintings are characterized by a fine mistlike texture, which results in warm, lifelike portraits that convincingly evoke the era, the intense emotional pitch of this incident, and the everyday heroism it embodied."
—Publishers Weekly

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01N4VU688
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Philomel Books (January 5, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 5, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 72958 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 105 ratings

About the author

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Aaron Reynolds

Aaron Reynolds

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Aaron Reynolds is a New York Times Bestselling Author of many highly acclaimed books for kids, including Dude!, Creepy Carrots!, Creepy Pair of Underwear!, Nerdy Birdy, and tons more. He frequently visits schools and his highly participatory presentations are a blast for kids and teachers alike. He lives in the Chicago area with his wife, two kids, four cats, and between three and ten fish, depending on the day.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
105 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

rhonda king
5.0 out of 5 stars Back of the bus great teaching tool
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a great book for children to learn about race. I have a biracial daughter and she has two biracial sons and we feel it is very important for the children to learn about race and racism. I feel it’s important for all people to learn about racism. This is a very good book for children and people of all ages. I recommend for anyone
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Ms.H
5.0 out of 5 stars It led to a great class discussion
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2015
Verified Purchase
My second grade students were completely engrossed when I read this aloud. It has a smooth, poetic rhythm that captivated them. They had learned all about Mrs. Parks but I think the moment in history from the perspective of a child about their age really stuck with them. They didn't quite grasp the symbolism of him holding his marble out proudly at the end, but it led to a great class discussion.
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Eileen Richards
5.0 out of 5 stars Back of the Bus
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2020
Verified Purchase
Great book depicting the Rosa Parks moment in time.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2015
Verified Purchase
Great story told through the lens of a little boy sitting at the back of the bus when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. Great for teaching perspective, motivation, small moments, and implications.
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Linda Vela-Perez Nana’s Homemade Lactation Cookies & Baked Goods
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the purchase
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
Another book that was written in great taste as well as educational.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Delivered promptky
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
Excellent book used for teaching about Jim Crow laws.
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clap
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2013
Verified Purchase
I like the story and think its a great way to get young kids talking about race and the issues of racism and segregation that have plagued our country since its very beginning.
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Jason D
2.0 out of 5 stars Damaged
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2022
Verified Purchase
Item arrived damaged.
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Top reviews from other countries

Lo
5.0 out of 5 stars Arrived bent but 5/5 story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
The story is well written and a great way to teach children the discrimination of black people in an age appropriate way. The illustrations are beautiful.

Unfortunately, the front cover had bent corners from how it had been placed inside the cardboard envelope.
Customer image
Lo
5.0 out of 5 stars Arrived bent but 5/5 story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2023
The story is well written and a great way to teach children the discrimination of black people in an age appropriate way. The illustrations are beautiful.

Unfortunately, the front cover had bent corners from how it had been placed inside the cardboard envelope.
Images in this review
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Red Bus Book and Theatre Lover
5.0 out of 5 stars Important story, beautifully told
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
Back of the Bus tells the Rosa Parks bus story from the perspective of a boy also on the bus. This would be great to add to a primary school book collection as it provides so much opportunity for discussion. Aaron Reynolds tells the story simply and clearly and Floyd Cooper's illustrations are dream-like and inviting.
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