A Booklist Editor's Choice A Parents' Choice Gold Award A Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Book Award Honor Book
Jonathan Daniels, a white seminary student from New Hampshire, traveled to Selma, Alabama, in 1965 to help with voter registration of black residents. After the voting rights marches, he remained in Alabama, in the area known as "Bloody Lowndes," an extremely dangerous area for white freedom fighters, to assist civil rights workers. Five months later, Jonathan Daniels was shot and killed while saving the life of Ruby Sales, a black teenager. Through Daniels's poignant letters, papers, photographs, and taped interviews, authors Rich Wallace and Sandra Neil Wallace explore what led Daniels to the moment of his death, the trial of his murderer, and how these events helped reshape both the legal and political climate of Lowndes County and the nation.
★ "This powerful biography of a little-known figure underscores the fact that civil rights workers in the 1960s South knowingly put their lives on the line for the cause.... the authors deftly convey Daniels' complex personality, drawing from letters and interviews, including 18 they conducted. Numerous photographs, relatively large print, and an open design invite readers in... (a)n unusually inspiring story skillfully told." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Outside of his hometown (Keene, New Hampshire), the name Jonathan Daniels isn't well known, but it should be... a thoroughly researched, meticulously documented biography, which is interesting from the start, but increasingly absorbing... The many well-chosen photos show up beautifully on the large, glossy pages. The riveting story of one individual among the many working for Civil Rights during the 1960s." — Booklist, starred review
"In a masterly demonstration of scholarly research and nonfiction writing, the Wallaces have crafted a powerful biographical narrative of civil rights activist Jonathan Daniels.... careful annotations and thorough indexing help readers keep track of the many players and scenes in this true-life drama. The authors have created a biography that brings to light the life and legacy of a lesser-known civil rights activist... this visually stunning and morally significant history is highly recommended..." — School Library Journal
Rich Wallace has written more than three dozen novels for children and teenagers, beginning with Wrestling Sturbridge, which the American Library Association selected as one of the top 100 YA books of the twentieth century. His recent forays into nonfiction include the acclaimed Babe Conquers the World and Blood Brother: Jonathan Daniels and His Sacrifice for Civil Rights (Calkins Creek, 2016). Visit richwallacebooks.com.
View titles by Rich Wallace
Sandra Neil Wallace had a lengthy career as a news anchor and ESPN sportscaster before writing realistic fiction and nonfiction for young readers. A pioneer in the journalism field, she was the first woman to cover the National Hockey League on network TV. Selected as a promising new voice in children's literature by The Horn Book, Wallace's titles have been named to state and national awards lists including Bank Street College's Best Children's Book of the Year, ALA-YALSA Quick Picks, and Booklist's Top 10 Sports Books for Youth. Visit sandraneilwallace.com.
View titles by Sandra Neil Wallace
A Booklist Editor's Choice A Parents' Choice Gold Award A Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Book Award Honor Book
Jonathan Daniels, a white seminary student from New Hampshire, traveled to Selma, Alabama, in 1965 to help with voter registration of black residents. After the voting rights marches, he remained in Alabama, in the area known as "Bloody Lowndes," an extremely dangerous area for white freedom fighters, to assist civil rights workers. Five months later, Jonathan Daniels was shot and killed while saving the life of Ruby Sales, a black teenager. Through Daniels's poignant letters, papers, photographs, and taped interviews, authors Rich Wallace and Sandra Neil Wallace explore what led Daniels to the moment of his death, the trial of his murderer, and how these events helped reshape both the legal and political climate of Lowndes County and the nation.
Reviews
★ "This powerful biography of a little-known figure underscores the fact that civil rights workers in the 1960s South knowingly put their lives on the line for the cause.... the authors deftly convey Daniels' complex personality, drawing from letters and interviews, including 18 they conducted. Numerous photographs, relatively large print, and an open design invite readers in... (a)n unusually inspiring story skillfully told." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Outside of his hometown (Keene, New Hampshire), the name Jonathan Daniels isn't well known, but it should be... a thoroughly researched, meticulously documented biography, which is interesting from the start, but increasingly absorbing... The many well-chosen photos show up beautifully on the large, glossy pages. The riveting story of one individual among the many working for Civil Rights during the 1960s." — Booklist, starred review
"In a masterly demonstration of scholarly research and nonfiction writing, the Wallaces have crafted a powerful biographical narrative of civil rights activist Jonathan Daniels.... careful annotations and thorough indexing help readers keep track of the many players and scenes in this true-life drama. The authors have created a biography that brings to light the life and legacy of a lesser-known civil rights activist... this visually stunning and morally significant history is highly recommended..." — School Library Journal
Author
Rich Wallace has written more than three dozen novels for children and teenagers, beginning with Wrestling Sturbridge, which the American Library Association selected as one of the top 100 YA books of the twentieth century. His recent forays into nonfiction include the acclaimed Babe Conquers the World and Blood Brother: Jonathan Daniels and His Sacrifice for Civil Rights (Calkins Creek, 2016). Visit richwallacebooks.com.
View titles by Rich Wallace
Sandra Neil Wallace had a lengthy career as a news anchor and ESPN sportscaster before writing realistic fiction and nonfiction for young readers. A pioneer in the journalism field, she was the first woman to cover the National Hockey League on network TV. Selected as a promising new voice in children's literature by The Horn Book, Wallace's titles have been named to state and national awards lists including Bank Street College's Best Children's Book of the Year, ALA-YALSA Quick Picks, and Booklist's Top 10 Sports Books for Youth. Visit sandraneilwallace.com.
View titles by Sandra Neil Wallace
