Bibliography:
Blue, R & Naden, C.(2009). Ron’s Big Mission. New York: Dutton Children's Books
Book Summary
Nine year old Ron McNair enjoys reading and dreams of flying planes. In the 1950’s black people are not allowed library cards and therefore cannot check out books from the library. Despite being the library’s “best customer” Ron cannot check out books under his name because he is not allowed to have a library card. But on this summer day in 1959, Ron is determined to change all this. He selects some books and heads to the check out desk. He insists on getting his own library card and refuses to move until he gets one.
My Impression
This fictionalized account of a real event that happened in the life of Ron McNair who went on to become a successful astronaut. The author uses simple language to portray the message. The illustrations are vivid and expressive. They portray different emotions on the faces of the characters. Ron’s fascination with space is portrayed on the first page as he gazes out through a window at the moon and stars. His posture portrays curiosity. Hanging from the ceiling in the same room is a model of the solar system. His determination is shown through his focus on the task ahead of him. He doesn’t allow any distractions to slow him on his way to the library. The library clerk’s ignorance of Ron’s request is apparent on her face. Ron’s persistence pays off as he takes a stand a refuses to step down from the desk. He gets a library card thereby marking a turning point in the civil rights movement. Although Ron standing on the table to get attention might look inappropriate for a nine year old, it portrays a true picture of the extreme measure that had to be taken to effect change during the civil rights movement. This book is appropriate for children 6-8 years old.
Reviews
School Library Journal:
Gr 1–4— When nine-year-old Ron tries to take library books home instead of just looking at them, he knowingly challenges the rule that "only white people can check out books." The boy does not back down, even when his mother and the police arrive. The librarian finally relents and creates a library card for Ron, who proudly checks out the airplane books he loves to read. The purpose of Ron's "mission" is revealed with dramatic subtlety. There's no hint of racism as he walks through his 1950s South Carolina town on the way to the library where he is its "best customer." The truth emerges when a white patron offers to check out his books for him as the clerk blatantly ignores the boy. Stylized cartoon illustrations convey the town's benign facade while revealing tension through Ron's expressions of determination mixed with fear. The impact of his actions shows in the confusion and anger of onlookers. Readers do not learn if the library will change the rules for everyone, or just for Ron, but the final scene resonates as the child eagerly opens his book to page one. An author's note explains that this is a fictionalized account of a real incident from the childhood of astronaut Ron McNair, who died in the 1986 Challenger explosion. This context lends power and poignancy to the event and adds to the book's value as an introduction and discussion starter for concepts of racism and individual courage.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR --Steven Engelfried (Reviewed February 1, 2009) (School Library Journal, vol 55, issue 2, p72)
Use in a Library Setting
Use this book to introduce children to the civil rights movement. Read the book with kids in class.
References
Book image from Barnes & Noble at: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Rons-Big-Mission/Corinne-Naden/e/9780525478492/?itm=1&USRI=ron%27s+big+mission