The Youngest Marcher: Awards & Reviews

Awards and Lists

• NAACP Image Award Nominee
• Carter G. Woodson Book Award
• ALSC Notable Book and CBC/NCSS Notable Book
• ILA Teachers’ Choices
• Crystal Kite Award
• Julia Ward Howe Award
• California Reading Association Silver Eureka Award for Nonfiction
• Goodreads Choice Award Finalist
• Comstock Read Aloud Honor Book
• A Best Book of 2017 by Bank Street, UPenn GSE, A Mighty Girl, Chicago Public Library, Elizabeth Bird

Featured Reviews

• School Library Journal: “…a book bound to be remembered in the pantheon of historical child heroes… It is not cloying. It is not cute. It is, however, infinitely readable.”
• School Library Journal: “…a significant portrayal of Audrey Faye Hendricks and the Children’s March.”
• Kirkus Reviews: “A vivid reminder that it took a community to fight segregation and the community responded.”
• The New York Times: “Levinson and Newton keep her story bright and snappy, emphasizing the girl’s eagerness to make a difference…”
• Horn Book: “The well-paced text captures a child’s voice and presents time and place realistically.“
• Children’s Book Council: “…remarkable and inspiring story…”

But, the most important reviewers come from readers!

More Reviews

• Publishers Weekly: “Newton’s bright, digitally assembled collages adeptly highlight the danger of the situation…while emphasizing the power of the marchers’ collective efforts to push back against injustice.”
• Mr. Colby Sharp: “Audrey Faye Hendricks’s story was so rich that the bell rang before we had even made it halfway through the book.”
• The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books: “Audrey’s third-person perspective is well represented and storytold, with short, punchy sentences especially vivid in conveying individual testimony and movement goals.”
• Parade Magazine: “Talk about it: Ask your child how she can best respond to wrongdoing when she sees it.“
• Librarian’s Quest: “Many times it’s like reading poetry with the rhythm her words generate.  She conveys the heart of a young girl beautifully… [S]hould be on every professional and personal shelf.“
• Here Wee Read: “…a beautiful and important non-fiction book that helps children understand they are never too young to make a difference… Perfect for reading with your little readers during Black History Month, Women’s History Month or any time of the year.”
• Huffington Post: “Cynthia Levinson and illustrator Vanessa Brantley Newton have brought to life the experience of Audrey Faye Hendricks…”
• Common Sense Media: “Charming, delightfully drawn, and cleverly put together, this book hits home… Cynthia Levinson does a wonderful job of telling the story through a child’s eyes.”
• Time for Kids and Essence: “The story is also about knowing in your heart what is right and facing down your fear…”
• Washington Post: A “best book for raising activist kids”–“The compelling story about white supremacy and the civil rights era illustrates the courage and personal sacrifice that activism requires…”
• A Mighty Girl: A “moving picture book that proves you’re never too little to make a difference.”
• KidsCANteachus: “Hope will always be more powerful than hate.“
• Colours of Us: “…an inspiring picture book that shows that you’re never too little to make a difference.“
• Mrs. ReaderPants: “A fantastic way to introduce novels and units about the Civil Rights Movement.” Mrs. ReaderPants also posted a blog.
• Austin American-Statesman: “Audrey’s story is showcased in “[The Youngest] Marcher,” a picture book for younger readers, highlighted by illustrations from Vanessa Brantley Newton that take readers inside Audrey’s world…”
• Life, Literature, Laughter: “The Youngest Marcher reminds us that battles are never over and that we all can (and MUST) speak up and take action when we see injustice in our world.”
• Mom.me: “BEING BOLD and FEARLESS and FIGHTING FOR WHAT’S RIGHT isn’t just for grown-ups. Not even close.”
• Mom Read It: “…books like The Youngest Marcher, with its powerful words and images, offer representation and affirmation.“
• Mother-daughter Book Club: “…an inspirational story with a message to resonate through the ages.“
• Geo Librarian: “…remarkable and inspiring story...”
• Our Kitchen Classroom: “We had so many wonderfully enlightening conversations…that stemmed from the reading of this book.”
• Youth Services Book Review: “…excellent treatment of the March…”
• Red Tricycle: “Kids will cheer for Audrey, equality and the rights of all children.”
• I’m Not the Nanny: “An inspiring story that will teach our kids that they’re never too young to speak out.”
• Stuff Parents Need: “great example of how important a child’s voice can be and how children aren’t too young to get involved”
• Miss Marple’s Musings: “I would encourage every elementary school classroom and participating in Black History Month to acquire this new biography.”
• Pernille Rip: “This is a story that is meant to inspire us to know we can make a difference andinspire it certainly does.“
• Coastal Courier: “Textured, powerful illustrations…”
• What is ML Reading?” “a beautiful, important book”