Introducing a read aloud to get you up and *March-ing* this March, featured in this week’s MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist” by Cynthia Levinson and Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Book Synopsis and Review

How far are you willing to go to fight for your rights and what you believe in?  For young Audrey Faye Hendricks, who was only 9 years old~ she was willing to do anything to be able to go to the places she wanted to go~ and do things she wanted to do. So when *Mike*, aka Dr. MLK, comes to visit her home and her church, spreading the word to protest for equal rights and justice, to fill the jails so that it becomes impossible to jail anyone else for exercising what should be their natural rights. To Audrey, this means being able to eat *inside*  the ice cream shop, drink from the *clean* water fountains, and sit at the *front of the bus.* When the adults hesitate to march and take to the streets, the community turns to the children to fill the jails~ children who had nothing to risk, who weren’t in danger of losing their jobs or being evicted. And Audrey Faye Hendricks just knew she had to be part of that March. Upon arriving at the protest site, Audrey came to realize she was the youngest marcher there~ the only marcher from elementary school. Surrounded by high school children, Audrey felt alone, but as soon as they marched, she knew they were stronger together. In this story of bravery, passions, and courage, little ones learn that you are never too young to take a stand for what you believe in.

This biography is perfect for discussing Civil Rights history with young audiences. Little ones will be emboldened to know that even when grown ups are too *scared* or *hesitant* to make a difference~ children are just as capable to take matters into their own hands. Young Audrey was the youngest marcher, only 9 years old, to take to the streets and be sent to jail for marching for her beliefs. Use this story to encourage children to speak up for what they believe is right, and to have the courage to do what is fair and just.

Vocabulary List

• Segregation (p. 2) keeping people separate against their choice, where people on one side usually get less than the other side
• Justice (p. 3)  making things equal and fair
• Testimonies (p. 6) telling a true story about someone or something that happened
• Unjust (p. 7) unfair, unequal
• Sentence (p. 15) punishment

Themes/Main ideas

• You are Never Too Young to Make a Difference: Always stand up and speak out for what you believe is right and fair
• We are stronger together: When we join together, we can achieve greatness

YouTube Video: Guided Shared-Reading Read Aloud Example

Example of a shared-reading, interactive Read Aloud of “The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist” – how to subtly introduce the vocabulary list words within the text, ask guided questions, and spark conversation!

*~Check it Out~*

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Make your own *March* Poster Craft

Did you know that March is National Women’s History Month? In honor of this special month of March, MaiStoryBook is celebrating with the featured storybook: The Youngest Marcher~ a biography read aloud of the story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a young civil rights activist. Civil Rights means your right to freedom and equality, to live a life where you are treated fairly and are free to truly follow your dreams. Not long ago, and arguably still today, people with darker skin colors didn’t have civil rights, rights to freedom and equality. Audrey Faye Hendricks was only 9 years old when she decided she wanted to stand up for what she believed was right and fair, and  join in the protest for civil rights for all. Her story is one of bravery, confidence, and inspiration. This week’s read aloud is also in honor of the young students who marched out of their schools this past week, and will march later this month, to stand up for the safety of themselves, their schools, and our communities. In this book, where its the children who rise to the occasion to protest for their rights, when even the adults were too hesitant, the message for little ones is~ * You are never too young to *March* and  make a difference. Sometimes~ it takes our youth to show us how to be brave, have courage, and make change. This week’s craft involves you and your little ones making your own *protest* signs, to express and share what you believe in, and what you believe is fair and equal.

Materials

• Shoebox lid (or cardboard and a stick/ruler)
• 1 sheet of white construction paper
• Scissors
• Tape
• Glue
• Markers

Directions

• Take the shoebox lid, and cut off the edge of the lid, so that you have the flat top of the lid (like a flat piece of cardboard) Save the edge if you want to use it as the stick for your poster.
• Cut the white paper so that it fits on the flat cardboard. The cardboard is the back of your sign. Glue the white paper to the cardboard.

• Take out your markers and help you little one write a message they believe in, on their poster (write in pencil so they can trace, write it for them on a separate piece of paper to copy, encourage them to sound out the spelling on their own- allow for mistakes)
• Decorate around your message.

• Next, fold the lid edges together so that they create a stable stick, and tape them together. Then, tape one end to the back of your poster (*or, tape a stick or a rule to the back of your poster)
• March and display your poster~ standing up for what you believe is fair and equal!

Share your *March* Poster!

• March around your home, neighborhood,  or find an actual March to attend (there are some going on, on March 24th) and hold your poster up high and proud
• Explain your poster’s message to family and friends, to share with them what you believe in
• Use your poster to start a conversation with your little one about justice and equality
• Reread the story and hold your poster up high like Audrey when she marches through the town!

*~Overall, have fun creating your own *Make Your Own -March- Poster* Craft,  and I hope you and your little ones share what you are passionate about! Please comment below  – tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary  – or post on FaceBook to share your photos of your own *Make Your Own -March- Poster* Craft and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear from you!~*

*Check Back on Next Friday for our New Reading Adventure*

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*