Review: Round and Round Together by Amy Nathan

Round and Round Together by Amy Nathan.

Paul Dry Books
Publication Date: February 2011
List Price: $12.95
ISBN-13: 9781589880719

Review: Intriguing, historical, and well written are all words that describe Round and Round Together by Amy Nathan. This is a nonfiction book devoted to helping people understand what really went on during the years of the civil rights movement. The story talks about one particular amusement park called Gwynn Oak. This was a park that people tried to integrate for many years. There are also notes of many famous people such as Dr. Martin Luther King and many others. Along with many other names that continue to pop up throughout the book. This is a story of how people came together and this story should be read by all people, black, white, Hispanic, or Asian.

This story starts in Baltimore, Maryland in 1884. This is when Gwynn Oak amusement park opened its doors. But the doors were not fully opened. Only some citizens were allowed to enter the park and enjoy the rides that the park offered. Only white citizens were allowed in. This story shows the long and difficult path that led to this park and many other businesses to being open to all. The protests, sit-ins, and rallies start in the 1940's. People of all races and all religions started to get together on the fact that what was happening in America was unjust. Groups such as the NAACP, CORE, CIG, and churches of all religions started to come together in Baltimore and around the country. Anything from the Freedom Rides through the south, to rallies in Washington D.C., to sit-ins at lunch counters in Baltimore, people were trying to change the way that these people lived. But these were not the only people who were trying to be heard. There were people who supported segregation and they were loud and violent. The tactics used varied from mass arrests, to mass publicity, to Jail-No-Bail, to sit-ins. People were intent to make sure that everyone was and will be forever equal. People tried and it took decades but they managed to get it right.

Round and Round Together is an amazing story of what people were forced to go through I love this book because it puts real names and real faces to a story that I have heard so many times. But Round and Round Together is different. You can see on a small scale what went on and on a large scale. It shows one place Gwynn Oak compared to a city, Baltimore compared to a state, Maryland and then compared nationally. Round and Round Together also takes you behind the scenes. You are able to see what people had to do to establish the civil rights we often take for granted. Amy Nathan sheds light on the civil rights movement unlike any other author ever has. She outlines the people who really tried to make a difference and not just nationally but business by business. I never realized how long this fight was really going on. That people tried for thirty years to integrate the nation. I never fully comprehended how many people, how much time, and how much effort went into changing the nation. This should be read by everyone and this tale be told forever more. With Round and Round Together you have the chance to see and understand more than you ever have about history. It shows that it only takes a few people to get the ball rolling and then you can accomplish so much. Establishing civil rights was like walking on a new frontier. The nation came together and knocked down a new barrier. We can all learn from Amy Nathan and her story about people who are devoted and their ability to change the Earth as we know it.

Review written by Kathryn (7th grade student).

We would like to thank Raab Associates for providing a copy of Round and Round Together for this review.

Have you read Round and Round Together? How would you rate it?