Joy, Angela. Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement. Janelle Washington, Illus. Picture Book. Roaring Brook, 09/2022. 64pp. $19.99. 978-1-250-22095-0. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 4-8.
Mamie Till-Mobley’s brave decision to hold an open-casket funeral for her murdered son, Emmett Till, sparked the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring generations of activists including Rosa Parks. Written in accessible, free-verse style, this carefully researched, well-structured biography covers Till-Mobley’s life—from growing up as a child of the Great Migration to her adult years as a teacher, advocate, and director of the Emmett Till Players. Vibrant illustrations provide a fitting counterpoint to the powerful text, with images that look like woodcuts but are actually cut black paper with tissue layered underneath to add color and depth. A single thread connecting Mamie to Emmett appears in several of the illustrations, providing the perfect throughline for the story. End notes, including a playlist, a glossary, a timeline, and a source list, provide context and offer avenues for further exploration. Highly recommended for all collections.
Jenny Andrus, Independent