Contact Me

Email Elizabeth:
elizabeth@elizabethpartridge.com

Viking Books Publicist:
Sara Zick
212-414-3561

Literary Agent:
Ken Wright
Writer's House
212-685-2400

Awards

Marching For Freedom:
Walk Together Children and Don't You Grow Weary

won the 2010 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for nonfiction

the Jane Addams Children's Book Award

the Los Angeles Times Book Prize

 

and the School Library Journal's epic Battle of the Books.

 

It's been selected for International Reading Association's list,
2010 Notable Books for a Global Society

 


Best Books for Young Adults

 

American Library Association's Notable Books

Reviews

The New York Times Sunday Book Review:

Drawing on archival photographs and interviews with marchers who were as young as 10 at the time, Partridge swiftly sets the stage for the political war of nerves that culminated in the walk from Selma to Montgomery.

 

Partridge shows eloquently how a season of protest educated and transformed Selma’s children... Meanwhile, Partridge's stirring history poses another, more immediate question for the thoughtful reader: Where are today's Selmas and what might a young person do about them?

Read the whole review on The New York Times Book Review site.

 

Marching for Freedom: Walk Together, Children, and Don't You Grow Weary tells the unsettling but uplifting story of the Selma to Montgomery March in 1965, using the voices of men and women who participated as children and teenagers... Italicized lyrics to “freedom songs” are woven throughout, emphasizing the power drawn from music. Powerful duotone photographs, which range from disturbing to triumphal, showcase the determination of these civil rights pioneers. Publishers Weekly, starred review

 

Partridge provides just enough context of the Jim Crow South to orient readers before plunging readers into the dramatic and harrowing events of the march. Partridge once again demonstrates why she is almost peerless in her photo selection. Horn Book, starred review

 

Effective and meaningful archival photographs, quotes, poems, and songs are woven throughout the narrative, giving readers a real sense of the children’s mindset and experiences. The bibliography, source notes, photo credits, and resources for further discussion and research are exemplary. An excellent addition to any library. School Library Journal, starred review

 

Partridge proves once again that nonfiction can be every bit as dramatic as the best fiction. … With a perfect balance of energetic prose and well-selected, breathtaking photographs, the volume portrays the fight for the heart of America. Kirkus Reviews, starred review

 

The vivid text is filled with quotes collected from Partridge’s personal interviews with adults who remember their youthful experiences, including their terrifying confrontations with state troopers, during which marchers were attacked with whips, tear gas, and clubs. Filled with large black-and-white photos, every spread brings readers up close to the dramatic, often violent action. Booklist, starred review

 

 A dramatic and a memorable statement. VOYA, starred review

 

I don’t care that you already have a zillion books on the Civil Rights Movement. You need this one the minute it publishes. Readers will breathe in the atmosphere of tension and fear and gain a heartfelt appreciation of the courage, sacrifice and immense commitment of these young people - teens like themselves. Bookends, A Booklist Blog

 

Marching for Freedom does a stellar job -- visually and textually -- of helping make sense of what was taking place in those troubled times. 

Richie's Picks

I love researching and writing books, both fiction and nonfiction. I'm fascinated by courageous, artistic people. I also love to speak at schools and conferences.

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IN THE NEWS

New York Times Review

Teaching Books Interview

Publisher’s Weekly interview

Penguin author interview Part 1 and Part 2 on YouTube