Pistes d'exploration

Discuss the title and front cover illustration. What might the boys be contemplating? What does freedom summer mean to you? Does it hold the same significance after reading the book?

Turn to the page where Annie Mae is making dinner. Do Joe’s parents agree or disagree with the new law? How do you know? Why do you think the author capitalized “Everybody Together—”? Refer to the text and illustrations when justifying your answers.

List the reasons why Will Rogers is angry. Of what were people afraid? If you were in Will’s shoes, would you have filled up the pool? 

What words would you use to describe John Henry and Joe’s decision to walk arm in arm into the store? Write about what you think will happen next.

Research the American Civil Act of 1964. What rights did it allow? How has it changed the world? Describe a perfect world as you see it. Share your vision with the class.

Brainstorm a class list of activities you can do with a friend in the summertime. Discuss activities that you are allowed to do and those you are not. 

When you get to the part where Joe says “I got to be excused,” stop reading and make predictions for the rest of the story. Resume reading the story, then compare your predictions with the text.

Research the American Civil Act of 1964. What rights did it allow? How has it changed the world? Discuss how you see the situation today.

Listen to a couple of readings of the author’s note. Jot down and discuss facts that will help you understand the story.

Generate a set of questions to verify your understanding of the text. Switch with a partner and answer each other’s questions.

Write a shortened version of the story based on the illustrations while still keeping the original message.

Select an American civil rights hero. Research and present their accomplishments to the class.

Mots-clés

Picture book , equality , friendship , illustrations (oil paint) , overcoming adversity , prejudice , segregation

Commentaire descriptif

Set in the Deep South during the summer of 1964, this book is about the impact of segregation on the friendship of two boys, Joe and John Henry. They love spending all their time together, but both are aware that John Henry is forbidden from doing many things ¬– such as swimming in the town pool or entering the general store – because of the colour of his skin. They are delighted when new desegregation laws are passed, but soon learn that laws do not necessarily change attitudes. They will need courage to stand up for what is right. The language is simple, but rich and redolent of the times: the boys shell butter beans and jump in the creek, where “John Henry crawls like a catfish, blows bubbles like a swamp monster.” Soft paintings capture the exuberance of children enjoying summer, while other images convey the seriousness of the events taking place around them. A sense of history is brought to the story through an author’s note at the beginning, in which Wiles describes her own experience growing up during the period when the Civil Rights Act was passed. This book is an excellent introduction to many important concepts: human rights, racism, justice, freedom and friendship.