When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders - Hardcover

"Inspirational" - Kirkus Reviews "Offers readers a profound understanding of both what it takes to stand up and what happens when we stand together." - Booklist, Starred Review "J. Patrick Lewis has done justice to this list of heroes-and make no mistake, these are heroes. " - The Book Aunt "Must-have literary treasure" - Reading Today "Lewis's surprising and welcome integration of lesser-known individuals provides a holistic and enlightening look at an always pertinent topic." - Publishers Weekly, starred review "Lewis isn't phoning this one in. These poems are straight up honest-to-god works of poetry." - Elizabeth Bird, A Fuse#8 Production, a School Library Journal Blog "An unusual introduction to groundbreaking activists and to the profound impact of individuals standing together."-- Book Links, 2013 Lasting Connections New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing 2013 "Lewis's outstanding collection of 15 poems highlighting national and international civil rights leaders is sobering and inspiring."--Language Arts

In moving verse, Children's Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis gives new voice to seventeen heroes of civil rights. Exquisitely illustrated by five extraordinary artists, this commanding collection of poems invites the reader to hear in each verse the thunder that lies in every voice, no matter how small. Featuring civil rights luminaries Coretta Scott King, Harvey Milk, Mohandas Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Sylvia Mendez, Aung San Suu Kyi, Mamie Carthan Till, Helen Zia, Josh Gibson, Dennis James Banks, Mitsuye Endo, Ellison Onizuka, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Yunus, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner.