Rosa

Giovanni, N. (2005). Rosa. New York: Henry Holt and Company.

Giovanni shares the account of Rosa, an African American woman living during the time of segregation. Rosa was traveling home on a bus and was seated in the appropriate place for a black person, yet the white bus driver had ordered her to move to make more room for additional white passengers. She took a stand, and she refused to move from her rightful place. Rosa was then arrested, which in turn motivated her African American community to take a stand and walk together in a movement of equality.The design of the illustrations added to the credibility of the topic. They were realistically drawn with depth and movement. The story combined with the illustrations allows the reader to connect with Rosa's struggle and strength which supports the opportunity of character analysis.