Weekend Picks for June 19th

Welcome to the third weekend of June! ​

​As we celebrate Juneteenth today, our Weekend Pick is a graphic novel that celebrates the life story of the late congressman John R. Lewis who spent his lifetime working for civil rights and social justice. It is the first book in a graphic trilogy. 

As with last week, our contributors for this week prefer not to be highlighted, and choose only to identify themselves as Dr. Davis and Dr. Parker, two Florida Gators (Ph.D., and Ed.D). We thank them for their contributions to our YA Lit community, and look forward to adding this historical fiction by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin & Nate Powell to our TBR lists! 

Happy reading, everyone! 

March: Book One by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin & Nate Powell

John Lewis

​​This graphic novel is a beautiful adaptation of the story of John R. Lewis, one of the many icons in the civil rights movement. The graphics help tell the story in a way that words alone could not express. This autobiography of Congressman Lewis’ experience from his childhood to his time in Congress reflects the highs and lows of the civil rights movement and American history.

What we enjoyed

• The pace: Brilliantly paced, the autobiography moves from past to present (2009) in a clever way as Congressman Lewis talks to two young boys and their mother, who has brought her children to meet the then-living icon. 

• Realistic: Obviously, the book is realistic, as it is a depiction of the congressman's life. The artist renderings and the actions in the story add to the realism, making the words jump off the page, as most of us could not fathom experiencing the treatment displayed in this novel. The fact that dates, times, and locations are added to the story brings things even further to life. 
• The Art: We cannot reiterate how much the graphics bring to this story. It is in black and white, and the structure is nothing like you might see in a superhero story. We believe you could properly explain the story by looking at the graphics without the words. (This makes it easy for YA’s who consider themselves non-readers to engage and enjoy this graphic.)

Andrew Aydin

Nate Powell

What was challenging

• The story: Anytime we watch a movie or read stories of this time in American history, it is a challenge for us. Seeing how humans are treated based on the sociological construct of race is shameful, hurtful, harmful, and leaves us feeling some kind of way. It is even more challenging to realize we live among individuals even today (2026) that hold these positions.  

Favorite Quote or Moment:
“Can you swim?” 
Such a simple question that carries so many underlying questions. Are you ready to die? Do you understand the risk? Are you prepared for what is ahead? Most importantly, do you have the courage to continue with all the uncertainty that lies ahead?

The Final Verdict 
Whether you are interested in Congressman Lewis’ story itself or curious about the March in Selma, Alabama, you will not leave this book feeling like you have wasted your time. In fact, once you read Book One, you will be inclined to read Books Two and Three, as they end with cliffhangers. Note, if you decide to read this book, racial slurs are used, which further expresses the energy and vitriol that Congressman Lewis and others experienced. This book matters because it allows readers to connect history with the present. It is not just dates and events; it shows the human side, what it felt like to experience these events. How to make changes in a time when all seems lost. March: Book One shows us that history is shaped by the actions of those who choose to speak up when silence is an easy choice.