If A Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks

Title: If a Bus Could Talk

Author: Faith Ringgold

Genre/theme of book: historical fiction

Summary of book: A young girl, Marcie, gets on a bus as she does everyday. Little does she know how much she will learn here. The Rosa Parks Blvd. Bus and riders share with her the story of Rosa Parks. Marcie leaves the bus knowing she has learned about a very important woman who did more than just keep her seat on a bus.

Characters: Marcie, Rosa Parks Blvd. Bus, various historical figures

Reader's comments: The story is written for children, but delivers a very powerful message. There is very realistic information (Ex. houses being bombed, people treated in terrible ways, etc.) that may not be suitable for all children. The information is important though, and is presented in a way that can help educate children about the past.

Grade level appropriateness: I think this is a good book to have in the classroom with 1st grade up.