Book Nook - Susie Clark: The Bravest Girl You've Ever Seen.

 Susan Clark was just 13 when she became the first Black student in the United States to integrate a public school through a court order. Her lawsuit, decided by the Iowa Supreme Court in 1868, gave all Iowa children the right to attend public school regardless of race, religion, nationality, or any other distinction. Segregated schools were the norm in many states until the 1954 US Supreme Court ruling. Susan's case contributed to that landmark decision. 

Now, Joshalyn Hickey-Johnson, in collaboration with the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, is offering an imagined glimpse into the true story of Susie Clark and the Clark family who desegregated Iowa schools in 1868 in the children’s book Susie Clark: The Bravest Girl You've Ever Seen. The picture book beautifully simplifies for young readers a decades-long struggle for civil rights in a period before, during, and after the Civil War. 

Here is a recent clip of her discussing the book.

I had a chance to learn more in this interview with Joshalyn.

Why is it important for kids to be aware of historical figures that are often overlooked?

I believe children should be aware of historical figures that have been overlooked because their contributions to our history should not be overlooked. The African proverb that says until the lion learns to hunt, the stories will always glorify the hunter. This is true with our history. Oftentimes, the reasons the stories are overlooked are because of the marginalization of Black people throughout American history. Some would have these stories hidden forever, but I think that people who know the real truth and see through the cloud of racism, are often the ones to uncover and honor these stories.

Why do families need to know that it takes continued work after a court case to really make change?

I think families should know that it takes hard work after a court case to really make a change. In Susie’s case, it had to be a struggle, in her day Black people were widely considered to be 1/5 human. There were several people who actually believed this! So it was true then and often true now, that being Black means that you may feel you have to work very hard to disprove stereotypes and myths. I believe consistency, courage, and determination proved to be assets to the Clark family. Also the will of many other Iowans to be on “the right side” of history in this matter. 

How can books help kids learn about advocacy and equity?

I think children can learn about advocacy by reading the Susie Clark book, and discussing how her family were such great advocates to her, by encouraging her, reassuring her that others would help in this fight, and calming her fears by suggesting she had a special “crown” braided in her 

I feel that equity can be discovered in the comparison of the two schools. How one school was in town with nice books and room to play while Susie’s school was up a Muddy Hill in far far away. 

The stark difference shows that Susie’s school needed to make many improvements to be considered as good as the other school. Therefore, she was not afforded what her white peers had at the school in town.