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

Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down Reviews

• 
  Rachael

  Don't treat people like the hole in a donut (i.e. invisible). Don't segregate but integrate.
  Another powerful story from Audible's "Hear My Story" collection. "Practising peace while others showed hatred is hard" but this story shows it can be done. A lot has changed since 1960 but more change needs to happen. Below is a recipe for integration from the book. I'm not hiding it as a spoiler because I think we all need to heed the advice.
  #antiracist #equality #civilrights #justice #blacklivesmatter
  
  _____
  Recipe for integration
  1. Start with love.
  2. Add conviction
  3. Season with hope
  4. Extra faith to flavour
  5. Mix black people with white people
  6. Let unity stand
  7. Fold in change
  8. Sprinkle with dignity
  9. Bake until golden
  10. Serve immediately - makes enough for all
• 
  Lisa Vegan

  This history book is a wonderful collaboration by a wife (story) and husband (illustrator) team. It relates the famous occurrence of the four young African-American men, who in 1960 sat down at a Woolworth’s counter and tried to get served at a whites only segregated restaurant, and how their act inspired others to also get involved in the civil rights integration movement, and how they succeeded after a groundswell they helped create. This book was published 50 years after these events. So, I was highly aware that for the children who are the target audience of this book, 50 years ago seems like fairly distant history, and the college students who started this peaceful protest against the status quo of the time and place could seem old, not young. So, it’s impressive that the presentation here is so universally appealing.
  
  From the start, I loved the pictures. They might be my favorite of the picture book illustrations I’ve seen by
  Brian Pinkney. They’re wonderfully colorful, in an appealing style that helps convey this story, and they’re beautiful, and most importantly they manage to show a fluidity of movement and that is so apropos to the book’s subject matter.
  
  The writing style I vacillated between loving and feeling it didn’t quite work, but overall I thought it was brilliantly engaging and gave a sense of immediacy to these events that happened so long ago. Quotes by
  Martin Luther King Jr. about peaceful civil disobedience are sprinkled strategically throughout the book. At the end of the book, there is an (also illustrated) civil rights timeline of events that include the Greensboro sit-ins and pertinent things that happened before and after them, a photo of four of the key protestors at the lunch counter on the second day of the sit-ins, and an aptly named For Further Enjoyment page that includes other books and websites too. This book is a wonderful way to teach history and it also serves as a tribute to all those who participated in the civil rights movement, especially the sit-ins circa 1960. The author makes clear that both black and white members of the community were inspired to participate, and it thrillingly tells how they were able to peacefully persevere and eventually succeed in making needed changes.
  
  One of my city’s branch libraries re-opened after a long closure for renovation, and while I was there to check it out, I saw this book on the “new books” shelf and grabbed it; I’m glad that I did.
  
  4 ½ stars
• 
  Barb Middleton

  A great message of the sit-in at Woolworths. I like how the author uses the structure of a menu and reflects it in the narrative. A recipe against racism.
• 
  Abigail

  Author/illustrator team Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney (also wife and husband), who have collaborated on such titles as
  Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride and the 1999 Caldecott Honor Book
  Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra, once again turn to the African-American experience in Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down, chronicling the extraordinary story of the four young college students - David, Joseph, Franklin, and Ezell - whose courageous actions, in sitting down at a Woolworth's counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, and calmly waiting to be served, inaugurated the sit-in phase of the Civil Rights Movement, and eventually led to the forming of SNCC (the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee).
  
  Told in a distinctively colloquial style - "This was the law's recipe for segregation. It's instructions were easy to follow: Do not combine white people with black people. Segregation was a bitter mix" - that makes use of the language of food (something the students wanted to order) and cooking, and illustrated with Brian Pinkney's energetic watercolor paintings, Sit-In is an immensely effective picture-book history. I appreciated the story, the artwork, and the historical afterword, was glad to see that the involvement of both blacks and whites in the Civil Rights Movement was mentioned, and was happy to learn that the Woolworth's building where the sit-in occurred has been turned into a museum,
  The International Civil Rights Center and Museum.
  
  All in all, a visually and textually strong book, one I recommend to all young readers interested in this dramatic moment in American history, and in the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
• 
  Meagan

  One of the protesters arrested in 1963 in Greensboro went on to have a grandson who was our tour guide at the International Civil Rights Museum. I asked him out of all the books he would recommend I read and this is one he suggested. It’s well written and speaks to kids but doesn’t mince words. We are not in a time for mincing words.
• 
  Paul Hankins

  Celebrate the first day of Black History Month with this picture book that revisits the four young men who sat steadfast at the counter of a Woolworth's sparking a longer, extended sit-in across southern states (the sit-in began February 1st, 1962). Andrea Davis Pinkney and her illustrator husband, Brian Pinkney, take us to the counter with striking illustrations and informative narration which includes a Civil Rights Timeline included at the end of the book.
• 
  Sarah Threlkeld

  "Be loving enough to absorb evil." - MLK, Jr. This picture book tackles an important event in history in a way that is very accessible to young readers. The language is clear, despite some higher level vocabulary and potentially tricky concepts, and the illustrations elevate the text perfectly. The book also includes a brief timeline of the civil rights movement and resources for further learning.
• 
  Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance

  Four college students sat down at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, on February 1, 1960. No one waited on them. All four young men were black, and the lunch counter was segregated. A police officer came, but he could do nothing. Finally the man from Woolworth's closed down the store.
  
  The next day more people came to the lunch counter.
  
  The movement spread to many other cities.
  
  Others responded to the sit-ins with violence. Those who participated in the sit-ins did not react, did not strike back. It took many months, but the lunch counter at Woolworth's in Greensboro was finally desegregated.
  
  An inspiring story of courage and endurance.
• 
  Coley Adkins

  Beautifully illustrated and written picture book Sit In by Andrea Pinkney has a mixture of poetry and captivating prose. She starts the book with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, “We must...meet hate with love”. It then tells the historic adventure of The Greensboro Four, David, Ezell, Joseph and Franklin. Pinkney uses the metaphor “At first they were treated like the hole in a doughnut - invisible”. She then builds upon this metaphor throughout the book. While on their brave journey, Pinkney also teaches vocabulary words such as INTEGRATION and uses the technique of repetition throughout to emphasize her important message. My favorite use of repetition is when she constantly underscores the importance of peaceful protest with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King. By the end of this book, The Four have made an important change in the world thus inspiring others like Rosa Parks. The metaphor she leaves us with is: “A doughnut and coffee, with cream on the side, is not about food - it’s about pride.”
  This is a very important “WOW” book to me as it not only explains a truly important part of America’s history but does so in a rhythm of words that captivates her audience. When I read this, I instantly knew it would be perfect to start my Roll of Thunder unit. I always show video clips of the sit-in and The Greensboro Four along with videos of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Mountain-Top Speech” and I know this will just enhance the lesson. This part of history always evokes an emotional response from my students and propels them to research and search for more information. Mrs. Pinkney’s book is a key starting point for their learning about Civil Rights.
  
• 
  A_Cathi

  Greensboro, North Carolina - February 1960 was the beginning of a movement in civil rights by the unwavering patience of four gentlemen who just wanted a doughnut and coffee. What a wonderful way to present this difficult subject with my first grade class. The feeling of being treated like a second class citizen in this country known for its’ equal rights and freedom is what must have led David, Joseph, Franklin and Ezell to follow Dr. Martin Luther King’s wise words. Their decision to sit, and sit some more while waiting for justice and equality was the beginning of a peaceful protest against ignorance and injustice. These young students used their inner strength to fight a demon in their world, and they proved that good can overcome evil.
  Pickney’s illustrations flowed from page to page, much like the characters in the book changed from day to day and place to place. The coming together of many people was made more prevalent than the individual person, and the watercolors worked in just that way. The faces would not be made out as a specific individual – but anyone that sat down for equal respect and tolerance. I loved this book and the way the Pickney’s addressed a time in our country that makes me uneasy each time I read or learn more about it.
  The timeline at the end would be a perfect way to continue the discussion with the classroom when learning about the Civil Rights Movement. This timeline could most definitely go across grade levels.
  
• 
  Morgan

  Sit-In is an informational book about the Greensboro Four who fought for segregation during the Civil Rights Movement. I would use this for a read-aloud to 3rd-5th grade.
  In my future classroom, I would use this book for a civil rights movement week where I could teach the students about that movement, and how these people made a difference in their community and country. I would tie this back to the fact that even they can make a difference, and take action against things they disagree with. Their voice is important, and this book is a great way for students to see that. I could also use this book during black history month, where students can have the chance to learn about those who stood up for their rights. Again, it would be the same concept, but I would be teaching it in a different time period. I also think that even though this is a picture book, it has a complex theme to it which is why I would only read this to 3rd grade and up.
  This book is a WOW for me because I found it to be inspirational. I read this book while trying to find books for my re-envisioning project. This book stood out to me because it was really cool to see how even people in North Carolina were fighting for their rights. Whenever I think about Civil Rights Movement, I always think about MLK and Rosa Parks, but it was really cool seeing how even ordinary people were doing extraordinary things in order to make a difference. This is inspirational for me and hopefully to my future students.
• 
  kate and lexi

  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. My kindergartner (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. With 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."
• 
  Sheena

  This book is a great informational read for elementary students. The author did an excellent job in relying the message in way for young readers to understand. In this story it shares details of how the students in Greensboro, North Carolina developed a sit-in based on Dr. King's words. Throughout the book it shares phrases from Dr. King that the students kept in mind to get the final result they wanted. I appreciate how the book shared facts but did so in a way that is understandable to young readers, with the use of metaphors and pictures. This book would be ideal for students grades 3 and up (maybe even 2nd). A teacher could use this book to teach about the civil rights movement and the use of metaphors. While reading the book the teacher could stop at certain parts of the book to remind students what a metaphor sounds like. Also in teaching about the civil rights movements, particularly the students in North Carolina, the teacher could use this book as a "hook" to get the students attention because this event happened in their own state. Overall, this book is a great quality children's book that teaches about important events in a way that they can understand.
• 
  Jessi

  I think this book is a pretty great way to introduce the concept of the civil rights issues of the 1960s to kids. The text is clear and easy to understand, and the ideas come across really well (as opposed to some children's books I've read on the same subject, which can be too wordy or confusing.) Another thing I liked about the book was the fact that important quotes or concepts are featured in bold, colorful print, along with the story:
  "We must...meet hate with love."
  "If black people and white people could break bread together, everyone would pass the test."
  "Practicing peace while others showed hatred was tougher than any school test."
  "We must meet violence with nonviolence."
  "We are all leaders."
  "A double dose of peace, with nonviolence on top. Hold the hate. Leave off the injustice."
  
  Perhaps if we read books like these to our children, we can avoid bringing up another generation of people who use anger and volume to express their opinions.
  
  
• 
  Elizabeth

  “Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down” c)2010 By Andrea Davis Pinkney; Illustrated by Brian Pinkney. The author showed slides of this book at the Wisconsin Library Association Conference in October. I had to read the whole thing! What a beautiful and powerful book about important moments during the civil rights movement. We take so much for granted now but restaurants, schools, businesses, buses, parks, pools and even LIBRARIES in the southern United States were segregated. Thank goodness for the wisdom and courage of so many people who peacefully resisted these restrictions. As a result, President Kennedy asked the American people to consider a change in June of 1963. Then on July 2, 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson made the Civil Rights Act of 1964 a law. This book teaches great lessons about peaceful protests and how much of a difference even the youngest among us can make.
• 
  Elissa Schaeffer

  Four friends sit down at the lunch counter at Woolworth's in Greensboro, NC, ready to place their order. But it's February 1, 1960, and they are black and the counter only serves whites. So they sat, order ready to place, ignored and refused, but never giving up. Inspired by the powerful words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., these four sparked a sit-in throughout the country and helped further the peaceful protests against segregation.
  
  It's not often that I feel truly moved by books the way this one moved me. It's not exaggerating to say that goosebumps and tear ducts were involved. Possibly what I appreciated the most was the power given to Martin Luther King's words in how they affected others and moved others to action. Action that took root and spread in the face of terrible mistreatment--such an amazing display of courage and strength of will.
  
  Highly recommended.
• 
  Willow

  I loved the lyrical writing of this book, and the food/recipe theme. "A doughnut and coffee, with cream on the side."
  
  It tells the story of the Greensboro sit-ins, and how they sparked more sit-ins around the nation to peacefully protest segregation. I really love how the author put this story together. It's possibly my new favorite historical picture book!
  
  This was good to read after going through "Meet Martin Luther King, Jr." by James T. de Kay. We found so many topics to look up and discovered a wealth of picture books telling the stories. I think picture books can be the best type of book, for any age, to illustrate a time period, person, or event, especially if the words are woven well and the pictures are engaging. While the illustrations in this particular book are not exactly my style, the writing makes up for it and makes this a really beautiful, educational book.
• 
  Laura

  A brightly illustrated and easy-to-understand book about the Civil Rights Movement. While the story begins by focusing on lunch counter sit-ins, it expands to explain Dr. King's message, the foundation of SNCC, and legislative changes. The book also uses an extended metaphor of cooking, which I didn't think was necessary. A recipe for integration is included at the end of the book along with an explicit explanation of why the sit-ins were so important for those who were finally served. A timeline, note from the author, and additional resources are also included, making this a great addition to school and public libraries.
• 
  Heidi

  Grades 3-8
  On February 1, 1960, four African American college students started the Greensboro Sit-Ins which led to non-violent protests across the country and integration of public places. This poetic telling of their story is musical and carefully spare, using the metaphor of food and recipes to show how non-violence can lead to change. The illustrations are gestural and springing with hope. The book includes a civil rights timeline, and a "Final Helping," a brief biography of the four students who started it all.
  
• 
  Cara Byrne

  "Practicing peace with others showed hatred was tougher than any school test."
  A lively, moving, and smart picture book detailing the sit-ins that occurred in the 1960s as part of the Civil Rights movement. Highly recommend for 3rd & 4th grade readers.
• 
  Leslie

  A perfect picture book to spark young readers' interest in learning more about the Civil Rights Movement. Rhythm and colorful illustrations make it work well as a read aloud and lots of facts, quotes and back matter to inspire further investigation.
• 
  Julie

  This book resonated with me.
• 
  Kristin Nelson

  I wasn't prepared for the metaphor of a recipe used by the author, but it worked. And I always love a book that includes more historical info. This one even has a timeline!
• 
  Kris

  Based on the true story of four young, black men who dared to challenge convention by sitting at a lunch counter during the 1960s.
  
  This is a children's book and I enjoyed it as an edudio book.
  
  
• 
  Kaitlin Lorelle

  I had to read this for a Youth Literature class, and it was truly remarkable.
• 
  Caroline

  A terrific history of the Woolworth lunch counter sit in for kids! It covers the event as well as talking about peaceful protest and the effect it had on the civil rights movement. A great intro to civil rights for kids and how ordinary people can make change.