Sit-In (A Mother-Daughter Review)

Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This beautifully illustrated book details the famous sit-in at the Greensboro, NC Woolworth’s counter in 1960. The prose is moving, speckled with quotes that inspired the protesters and good detail. As a picture book ought to be, it is both easily understood and deep enough for older readers. Kate (who does have some exposure to the civil rights movement) grasped the storyline and was moved by the strength it took to stay still.

The simple, powerful prose is well matched by the illustrations. Watercolor paintings with ink, they come across as modern yet classic, and moving. The author used a repetitive motif of cooking that might come across a bit strong to some adults, however, I wasn’t distracted by it and consider it effective for young readers.

Though graphic about their struggles, the story isn’t scary or overwhelming to children. It would work well in any elementary grades, and even in some middle school classrooms. I’d commend it to any family who is building a personal library with any attention to covering American History or Civil Rights.

Kate, age 5 “I like this book, it told about Dr. King and his dreams, and how these boys followed his dreams by sitting at the white skin lunch table. They sat and they sat for a long time. People were mean to them. Now people all sit together. That’s why I like this book.”

**We received this book from the publisher to review. Our opinions are our own.**