Shore, Diane Z. and Alexander, Jessica. This is the dream. Amistad, 2006.
Illustrated: James Ransome.
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-055519-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-055519-1
Poetry Review: This is the Dream is a book of poetry following the life of segregation. The book is in fact the poem, each line reads per page with a painting of life for those affected by segregation and what life was like in everyday events. What stands out the most is the last few pages of the book where both black and white alike share, stand together, and work together - a far cry from where segregation originated with separating people based upon their color and what the beginning of the book depicts. Throughout the book are photos of real people along with painting of everyday events. What strikes me the most was the pictorial of the children entering a school with guards surrounding them and protesters in the background waving their rebel flags. The look of fear and confusion on their faces is poignant of the situation they were facing, the bravery in which it took to walk through the doors and start a new life; for all of the people who took the first steps to change a very bad situation to bring about a new life for future generations.
Poetry Excerpt: Diane Shore, "This is the Dream"
These are the fountains that stand in the square, and the black-and-white signs say who will drink where.
These are the buses - a dime buys a ride, but the people are sorted by color inside.
These are the restaurants where "WHITES ONLY" eat at tables up front and at lunch-counter seats.
These are the libraries, two separate sections, with separate bookcases and separate selections.
These are the doors that are closed in the schools, and "separate but equal" is not just a rule but a law that's enforced on the buses and trains and in theaters, rest rooms, department-store chains, and in libraries, hospitals - all public places, dividing up people by color and races with harsh written words that are slapped on the walls, denying both freedom and justice for all.
These are the students who step through the doors where people of color have not walked before.
These are the passengers, on weary feet, walking until they can choose their own seat.
These are the diners who sit and who wait at the "WHITES ONLY" counter, ignoring the hate.
These are the marchers who forge through the streets as they carry their message through shimmering heat.
These are the leaders whose powerful voices lift up the marchers demanding new choices for fair-paying jobs and a good education, to vote without fear and to live in a nation where everyone equal and judged from within, never jailed or arrested because of their skin; fighting firm without fists, sitting down, standing tall, pressing onward toward freedom and justice for all.
This is the fountain that stands in the square, and the unwritten rule is to take turns and share.
This is the bus that roars through the streets, and all of the passengers choose their own seats.
This is the restaurant where, up in the front, the black-and-white sign says "OPEN FOR LUNCH."
This is the library, books Wall to wall, free to be read - not by some, but by all.
This is the school where the doors open wide, and the children are learning together inside about students and marchers and leaders who fought to make right what was wrong. Without violence they sought to make changes together, establish new laws. With many small triumphs they strengthened their cause as they sat at the counters and rode through the stations and gathered up hands as they marched through the nation; with courage they rallied and answered the call... dreaming of freedom and justice for all.
Poem Introduction to Children:
I found this book at just the right time as February is Black History Month, what a great book of poetry to introduce segregation to students. Perhaps with 5th graders would be best used as they have a deeper understanding of events that took place throughout the country and world. Though they may not completely understand the full aspect of segregation, this book may open children's minds as to what life has been like during segregation and today. A compare/contrast activity would best help organize the information as well as presenting additional materials in books.
