August Book Talk Two: Congressman John R. Lewis' MARCH Graphic Novel Series

August Book Talk Two: Congressman John R. Lewis' MARCH Graphic Novel Series

Back in 2013 at the American Library Association Conference in Chicago, IL, I had the pleasure of  meeting Civil Rights Leader and Congressman Mr. John Lewis.  Congressman Lewis was an U.S. Representative from the state of Georgia’s fifth district. Congressman Lewis was promoting his graphic novel (comic book) series, MARCH. This graphic novel trilogy was based on the firsthand account of Congressman John Lewis's lifelong struggle for civil and human rights, taking him from a sharecropper's farm in Troy, Alabama to the halls of Congress.  Congressman Lewis also marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

Congressman Lewis was very nice and humble person when I took this picture with him.  He was also very passionate about what he was called to do in his life. He love to learn about people and wanted to know everything about you. Congressman Lewis was a very good listener and he cared about your feelings and opinions.  Congressman Lewis always treated individuals with the upmost respect.  He treated people like he wanted to be treated. Congressman Lewis cared about our rights as not only U.S. citizens but also human beings.  Congressman Lewis final act was trying to protect the voting rights for all U.S. citizens. However,  Friday July 17, 2020, Congressman Lewis lost is battle to cancer.  He was 80 years old.  Civil Rights Leader Rev. C.T. Vivian, who also marched alongside Dr. King, died on the same day as Congressman Lewis.  Congressman Lewis and Rev. C.T. Vivian were life long friends.  MARCH is available for check out in Coolidge’s library.

Image property of Kaleena T. Woodard

March: Book 1 by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell 

Image property of Top Shelf Productions

    In book one of this graphic novel,  Georgia congressman John Lewis talks about his youth in rural Alabama, his meeting with Martin Luther King Jr., and the birth of the Nashville Student Movement. 

• Publisher: Top Shelf Productions 
• Publication Date: August 13, 2013
• Interest Level: YA
• Lexile Number: 760
• March One Lesson Plans

March: Book 2 by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell 

Image property of Top Shelf Productions

    In book two, Lewis talks about the direct action campaigns in Nashville,  the freedom rides into the Deep South, and his speech at the 1963 March on Washington. 

• Publisher:  Top Shelf Productions 
• Publication Date: January 20, 2015
• Interest Level: YA
• Lexile Number: 850

March: Book 3 by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell 

Image property of Top Shelf Productions

    In book three, Lewis talks about the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, the Freedom Summer Murders, the 1964 Democratic National Convention, the Selma to Montgomery marches and Voting Rights Act of 1965. 

• Publisher:  Top Shelf Productions 
• Publication Date: August 2, 2016
• Interest Level: YA

Teachers and Parents:

Here are some other books that Congressman Lewis has written.

Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America by John Lewis with Brenda Jones

Image property of  Hachette Books/ Hyperion

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Hachette Books; Reprint edition (August 15, 2017), Hyperion: 2012

Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement by John Lewis with Michael D'Orso 

Image property of  Harvest Books/Simon & Schuster

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• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; Reissue edition (February 10, 2015), Harvest Books: 1999

Congressman John Lewis "March: Book One", Video

Video property of  Politics and Prose (http://www.politics-prose.com/) YouTube Channel