We've Got a Job

We've Got a Job tells the true story of four Black children who participated in the 1963 Birmingham Children's March during the Civil Rights Movement. The book follows James Stewart, Wash Booker, Arnetta Streeter, and Audrey Hendricks as they joined thousands of young people in nonviolent protest against segregation. Through interviews and historical records, Levinson documents how these young activists prepared for and carried out their mission in Birmingham, Alabama. The narrative tracks their experiences from initial training sessions through their participation in demonstrations and eventual arrests. The children's individual stories reveal different facets of the larger Civil Rights Movement from the perspective of its youngest participants. Through extensive research and firsthand accounts, Levinson reconstructs the atmosphere and events of 1963 Birmingham. This nonfiction account demonstrates the power of young people to create social change and highlights a lesser-known chapter of Civil Rights history. The book raises questions about youth activism, courage, and the role of children in social movements.

Readers appreciate the focus on young activists and their personal stories during the 1963 Birmingham Children's March. Teachers and librarians report the book helps students connect with civil rights history through the perspectives of other youth. Readers highlight the extensive research, photographs, and firsthand accounts. One reviewer noted "the oral histories make this feel immediate and real rather than just a distant historical event." Some readers mention the pacing is slow in early chapters and the number of personal narratives can be hard to follow. A few reviewers wanted more context about the broader civil rights movement. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (85 ratings) School Library Journal: Starred Review Common mentions from educators indicate the book works well for grades 5-8 classroom discussions and civil rights curriculum units. Several reviewers recommend pairing it with documentary footage of the events.

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🗣️ More than half of Birmingham's population during the Children's Crusade was African American, yet they were barred from working in most stores and restaurants in their own city. 📚 The book's title comes from a quote by teenager Audrey Faye Hendricks, one of the youngest marchers arrested, who said "I want to go to jail" because "we've got a job to do." 👥 Over 4,000 children and teenagers were arrested during the Birmingham Children's Crusade of 1963, filling the jails beyond capacity. 🎖️ Author Cynthia Levinson conducted over 40 personal interviews with participants of the Children's Crusade to gather firsthand accounts for her book. 🔍 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. initially opposed involving children in the protests, but changed his mind when he saw how effective their participation was in drawing national attention to Birmingham's segregation.