Starred Review Call Me Miss Hamilton

One Woman's Case for Equality and Respect

  • Interest Level: Grade 2 - Grade 5
  • Reading Level: Grade 3

Discover the true story of the woman Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. nicknamed “Red” because of her fiery spirit!

Mary Hamilton grew up knowing right from wrong. She was proud to be Black, and when the chance came along to join the Civil Rights Movement and become a Freedom Rider, she was eager to fight for what she believed in. Mary was arrested again and again—and she did not back down when faced with insults or disrespect. In an Alabama court, a white prosecutor called her by her first name, but she refused to answer unless he called her “Miss Hamilton.” The judge charged her with contempt of court, but that wasn’t the end of it. Miss Mary Hamilton fought the contempt charge all the way to the Supreme Court.

Powerful free verse from Carole Boston Weatherford and striking scratchboard illustrations by Jeffery Boston Weatherford, accompanied by archival photographs, honor this unsung heroine who took a stand for respect—and won.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-5415-6040-6
$14.99
978-1-7284-0476-9
$24.99
978-1-7284-8768-7
$34.99
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Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 5
Reading Level Grade 3
Genre Picture Books, Social Studies
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Diverse Books: Feminism, Diverse Books: #OwnVoices, Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diverse Books: Social Justice, Diversity, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2022
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 40
Publication Date 2022-02-01
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF007110, JNF007120, JNF025210
Dewey 323.092 [B]
Dimensions 8 x 10
Lexile 1040
Guided Reading Level S
ATOS Reading Level 4.8
Accelerated Reader® Points 0.5
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, Awards, Bibliography/further reading, Original artwork, Reviewed, and Starred Reviews

Awards

  • Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books, Winner, 2022
  • Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books of the Year List, Winner, 2022

Reviews

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“[A]n excellent introduction of the Civil Rights Movement for young readers.”—Children’s Literature

The Horn Book Magazine

“[L]arge, striking scratchboard and collage illustrations, which often incorporate archival photographs, complement the clear narrative.”—The Horn Book Magazine

Kirkus Reviews

“Essential reading for teaching children about the importance of demanding equality and respect.”—Kirkus Reviews

Starred Review Booklist

“Weatherford introduces young readers to this lesser-known changemaker who challenged the court system for due respect. . . . Lending to this powerful story is mixed-media artwork that blends expressive black-and-white scratchboard illustrations with tinted photos from the time period.”—starred, Booklist

School Library Journal

“Hamilton’s inspiring story has not been the focus of any other book, and for that fact alone it is deserving of shelf space. This evocative and informative story of an unsung heroine is recommended for general purchase.”—School Library Journal

Publishers Weekly

“Carole Boston Weatherford provides unflinching narration . . . Collages made of photographs and fine-lined sketches on scratchboard by Jeffery Boston Weatherford, combined with boldly graphical book design, give the picture book a cinematic quality, placing due emphasis on Miss Hamilton’s landmark case.”—Publishers Weekly