March, Book 1

 Meet the book: March: Book One by John Lewis. 

Lexile: 760

Summary: March is a graphic memoir about Congressman John Lewis’ life and his pivotal role in the civil rights movement. It floats back and forth from Lewis’ memories to the “present” day, where Lewis is preparing to speak at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. There are three books in the series, with the first spanning from Lewis’ childhood to the aftermath of the lunch counter sit ins.

This was eerily timely as I read March (finally). The first pages show John Lewis getting ready to speak at President Obama’s inauguration, with a TV on in the background of a news anchor saying "Today we reaffirm our commitment to democracy by bearing witness to the peaceful transfer of power!" (Lewis p 14). Meanwhile the current TV news headings are all about President Trump fighting the election results and refusing to cede power to President-Elect Biden…

Before reading this, I knew of Congressman Lewis but did not know much about his history and his impact on the civil rights movement. It was “voiced over” by Lewis, written as he is telling the story and his history, which I don’t think I’ve seen in a graphic novel before. I think this brings more validity to the memoir, as the story is coming straight from the source. 

Lewis’ story is simply amazing, and the first book of March simply skims the surface. I read it in one sitting, in awe of Lewis’ strength and persistence. Again, I knew of the student sit ins at the diners, but did not know how long they lasted or the amount of activists involved in it! The image of the students wrapped around the building, waiting in line for a meal that might never be served to them… small things that lead to amazing changes. I’m ashamed at the little I knew about Lewis and the sit ins, and equally amazed at how much I learned from a *insert gasp* graphic novel!

I think this book should be required reading in high schools, as it goes deeper into the beginnings of the civil rights movement, how it started with students and "small" acts of resistance. This would be a great addition to American History lessons, especially on civil rights. I knew the bare minimum about the civil rights movements and some of the activism that happened in the beginning, as there is little taught in schools. Students need to know the full extent of their history, both the beautiful and ugly, to help shape the future for the better.

March is a prime example of how a graphic memoir can be true nonfiction, and a true learning tool. By having Lewis write the story, along with editors and illustrators that are dedicated to his cause and telling his story correctly, March becomes a moving piece of true history that is accessible to many readers. I do not usually read political or historical books, and usually tend to lean towards comedic memoirs if I do read nonfiction, but I am a huge graphic novel fan. If March was written as a “regular old book”, I may have never picked it up and learned so much about the honorable John Lewis. This is why it's important to see that graphic novels do have academic quality, that they are real books! 

This was an exceptional, beautiful, powerful book. I highly, highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of graphic novels, a fan of equal rights, a fan of freedom and love. Because that’s what this book shows, to keep on fighting for what's right because eventually freedom and love will win. As Dr. King says in the closing pages of March: Book One, "The universe is with us. Walk together, children. Don't get weary" (Lewis p. 121).

Readalikes:

School Age:

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

A very popular one amongst young readers, that is shelved as nonfiction but is actually based on Telgemeier's life! A great introduction to memoirs for younger readers.

Tween:

El Deafo

Another popular one among young readers, this is based on Cece Bell's experience growing up deaf and transferring from an all deaf school to public school. Both school age and tween kids could enjoy this!

Teen:

Blankets

Blankets is a graphic memoir by Craig Thompson that scopes silly memories of childhood, religion and conflicting beliefs, the sweetness of first love and the heartbreak that inevitably comes with it. Thompson's illustrations are gorgeous and the limited color palette makes this a work of art. This book holds a special place in my heart; this was the first graphic novel I read as a teen and read it in one setting at my local library. It made me cry, like really cry, in the library and is still one of my favorites.