Description
Book SynopsisFinalist for the 2011 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children''s Non-Fiction
On behalf of the Nova Scotia government, I sincerely apologize to Mrs. Viola Desmond's family and to all African Nova Scotians for the racial discrimination she was subjected to by the justice system We recognize today that the act for which Viola Desmond was arrested, was an act of courage, not an offence. -- Darrell Dexter, Premier of Nova Scotia, April 15, 2010
In Nova Scotia, in 1946, an usher in a movie theatre told Viola Desmond to move from her main floor seat up to the balcony. She refused to budge. Viola knew she was being asked to move because she was black. After all, she was the only black person downstairs. All the other black people were up in the balcony. In no time at all, the police arrived and took Viola to jail. The next day she was charged and fined, but she vowed to continue her struggle against such unfair rules. She refused to accept that being black mean
Trade Review
...the author of the children's book 'Viola Desmond Won't be Budged!' knows why she wanted to write the Halifax businesswoman's story... "There's not much that's there that's Canadian and this is such a great story." -- Monica Graham * The Chronicle-Herald *
...vibrant... * Canadian Teacher Magazine *
Plain speech in the vernacular of the time and predominantly red-hued acrylic paintings that seem imbued with their subject's passion combine to great effect in this important but not-well-known piece of Canadian history. -- Susan Perren * Globe and Mail *
Varying perspectives heighten the emotional intensity, as do the excellent layout and design. This unique offering will be of particular value when studying women's or black history. -- Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst * School Library Journal *
...warm and engaging... -- Rosalie MacEachern * New Glasgow News *
Desmond’s story should prove eye-opening to readers whose civil rights references are limited to American figures. * Publishers Weekly *
Rudnicki's vivid, dramatic art intensifies the danger that Desmond's stubborn determination brought her, and it lends itself well to the warm recounting of the unnamed narrator. -- Courtney Jones * Booklist *
From the first page, Viola Desmond Won't be Budged! hooks the reader...an engaging delight to read. -- Crystal Sutherland * CM Magazine *
Using a cadenced style that echoes the oral tradition of African-Canadians, Warner recounts the story... * Kirkus Reviews *
This carefully-researched book provides young learners with an informative look at racial segregation in Canada and a pivotal event in the civil rights movement. * Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children *
...impressive... -- Evelyn C. White * Vancouver Sun *
...a compelling story... -- Marya Jansen-Gruber * Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews *
