Good Trouble

Starred review from March 1, 2019

Noxon revisits the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s with honesty, highlighting the brutality endured and the women who played a crucial role but whose stories of sacrifice and bravery often went untold. The author stays true to his promise not to romanticize this account. The book doesn't just capture a specific time in history; instead, it calls upon readers to take action. Throughout the historical accounts, connections are made to current events and the modern struggle for equality. Noxon highlights lessons learned by activists: reject violence, focus on oppression instead of oppressors, summon soul force, and stop waiting for leaders. These messages are made accessible for teens and will encourage them to effect change in their communities. The volume is well designed, combining a handwriting font and illustrations for an intimate tone that conveys the intensity of the topic. A reading list at the end offers further guidance. VERDICT A must-have for U.S. history collections and social activism shelves.-April Sanders, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2018
This book is a bit hard to define. It's an extensively illustrated journal that explores the development of the civil rights movement and morphs into a call-to-action manifesto. Author and illustrator Noxon refers to himself as a "privileged white guy" who thought he already knew the civil rights story, neatly encapsulated between the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling and the 1964 Civil Rights Act. A chance visit to the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis?the National Civil Rights Museum?was a jarring wake-up call. He started looking beyond what he had been taught in school, and this text summarizes his expanding understanding of the scope, cast of characters, methods (good troublemaking, direct action), and philosophies (bearing witness, soul force) that shaped the movement. He effectively uses first-person, real-time narration and smoothly incorporates excerpts from his interviews with pivotal individuals. His illustrations add depth and deftly capture scenes, likenesses, and iconic moments. His conclusion that the civil rights movement continues today and involves all of us is a clarion call for action.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)