Two young girls not only witness but help to change history in this inspiring and urgent Civil Rights-era picture book by three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner Angela Johnson. There's a sweet, sweet smell in the air as two young girls sneak out of their house, down the street, and across town to where men and women are gathered, ready to march for freedom and justice. Inspired by the countless young people who took a stand against the forces of injustice, two Coretta Scott King Honorees, Angela Johnson and Eric Velasquez, offer a stirring yet jubilant glimpse of the youth involvement that played an invaluable role in the Civil Rights movement. Kindergarten-Grade 3–This quiet, gentle story pays tribute to the many unnamed children who participated in the African-American struggle for civil rights. It opens: "After a night of soft rain there is a sweet smell of roses as my sister, Minnie, and I slip past Mama's door and out of the house down Charlotte Street." They head toward the curb market where folks, mostly adults, are gathering to listen to and march with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Large, powerful charcoal images dominate the pages with particular attention paid to facial expressions. The artist shows the strength and resolve of the marchers in the face of "people who scream, shout, and say, 'You are not right. Equality can't be yours.'" Once the speeches are over, the sisters race home and are met at the door by their worried mother, "And as we tell her about the march, the curtains flow apart, and there is a sweet smell of roses all through our house." The only color that appears in this book is the deep red of the ribbon around the neck of Minnie's teddy bear, the U.S. flag, and the roses. Without going into much detail, this book nonetheless drives home the fact that children were involved in the movement and makes the experience more real for those just learning about this chapter of American history. –Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH K-Gr. 2. History and politics get personal for young readers in this dramatic, large-size picture book about an African American child and her younger sister who steal out of the house to join the Civil Rights marchers and listen to Dr. King speak. The child's clear, first-person narrative draws on the language of the struggle ("we look farther down the road"), and Velasquez' realistic charcoal pictures, in black and white with an occasional touch of red, evoke the news footage of the time. The protestors confront the glowering police, and there are children among the racists who yell, "You are not right. Equality can't be yours." But this book is not only about segregation; it's also about the crowds of people "walking our way toward freedom," the thrilling portrait of Dr. King, and the two brave kids who cross the line. Hazel Rochman Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved "Powerful and moving." -- "Kirkus Reviews" "The pervasive smell of roses is an effective metaphor for the scent of freedom in the air, and Johnson's poetic text is powerful." -- "Horn Book" "This book is not only about segregation; it's also about the crowds of people 'walking our way toward freedom, ' the thrilling portrait of Dr. King, and the two brave kids who cross the line." -- "Booklist" Angela Johnson has won three Coretta Scott King Awards, one each for her novels The First Part Last , Heaven , and Toning the Sweep . The First Part Last was also the recipient of the Michael L. Printz Award. She is also the author of the novels Looking for Red and A Certain October . Her books for younger readers include the Coretta Scott King Honor Book When I Am Old with You , illustrated by David Soman; Wind Flyers and I Dream of Trains , both illustrated by Loren Long; and Lottie Paris Lives Here and its sequel Lottie Paris and the Best Place , both illustrated by Scott M. Fischer. Additional picture books include A Sweet Smell of Roses , Just Like Josh Gibson , The Day Ray Got Away , and All Different Now . In recognition of her outstanding talent, Angela was named a 2003 MacArthur Fellow. She lives in Kent, Ohio. Visit her at AJohnsonAuthor.com. Eric Velazquez, NSCA-CPT, is the cofounder and vice president of PrayFit and a veteran sports, health, and fitness writer.