Pat Zietlow Miller is the author of the new children's picture book Unstoppable John: How John Lewis Got His Library Card--and Helped Change History. It focuses on the late congressman and civil rights leader. Miller's many other books include Not So Small. She lives in Wisconsin.
Q: The Kirkus Review of Unstoppable John called it a “captivating, bookish tribute to an unstoppable upstander that will empower the youngest activists.” What do you think of that description, and what do you hope kids take away from the book?
A: I love that description from Kirkus, and I hope readers will take these three things away from the book:
1. Who John Lewis was. I didn’t know who John Lewis was
until I was an adult. And, since I started working on the book, I’ve met
several adults who still don’t know. He was such an integral figure in
America’s Civil Rights history that everyone should know at least a little
about him.
2. How they could be inspired by his actions. John worked hard to ensure that everyone in the United States could vote, eat in any restaurant they wanted, watch movies in any theater, sit wherever they preferred on buses and get library cards. And he did so with peaceful protests, meaning that no matter what people said or did to him, John didn’t yell or fight back. He just patiently kept asking for what he knew was right.
Readers
can think about things they’d like to see changed and the difference they, as
one person, could make. (This book pairs well with my book Not So Small, about being a young activist.)
3. The importance of being tenacious. With a title like Unstoppable John, you might assume that the book’s about not giving up. And, you’d be right. John kept going despite setback after setback until racist and unfair laws were changed.
Although John’s setbacks were more painful than those others might experience, the lesson of getting up after you’re knocked down and continuing to work for what you want can apply to anyone’s life.
4. Oh, and I guess I have a fourth thing, too. I want every reader to go get a library card if they don’t already have one. Libraries offer so many more materials, events and community support than people think. It’s all free, and knowing you have a library card would have made John Lewis happy.
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Illustrator Jerry Jordan |
Q: What do you think Jerry Jordan’s illustrations add to the story?
A: Picture book illustrations tell more than half the story. I always remember that when I’m writing. And Jerry’s illustrations tell an amazing story.
I’m a big fan of Jerry’s work. His art is moving and evocative, and it was great seeing it progress from pencil sketches to finished paintings.
The cover he created is one of my favorite covers of any of my books. And some of the interior spreads are so beautiful I just look at them and smile.
Here’s Jerry’s website and another picture book he illustrated.
Q: What do you see as John Lewis’s legacy today?
A: His legacy is that most kids today probably take it for granted that anyone can get a library card or watch a movie or vote. But … it wasn’t that long ago where that wasn’t the case. It’s important to remember where we were as a country so we can keep moving forward and not backward.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I have another book – One Can Be – coming Sept. 2 from Beaming Books. It asks the question: “What can one person do?” And, the answer is, “Quite a lot, actually.” Especially if they include others when the time is right.
This book is an ode to introverts and quiet leaders with a hat tip to one of my favorite things – Little Free Libraries.
The book is illustrated by Annie Cron. And, it can be pre-ordered now from any in-person or online bookseller.
Here’s the cover:
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: When I was doing research for Unstoppable John, I was astounded at all the information about the Civil Rights movement that I was never taught in school.
So, if you’re reading this, and you also didn’t learn as much as you should have about this aspect of U.S. history, there’s a list of resources at the end of Unstoppable John.
If you want a quick start, in addition to John Lewis’ books mentioned earlier in this post, here are some picture books that provide a helpful overview about John Lewis’ life.
FIGHTING WITH LOVE: THE LEGACY OF JOHN LEWIS.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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