Like adults, young readers should know about the era of Reconstruction and the remarkable individuals who struggled to give real meaning to the freedoms blacks achieved during the Civil War. John Roy Lynch was one of them and he is brought vividly to life in this book.

ERIC FONER, AUTHOR OF RECONSTRUCTION: AMERICA’S UNFINISHED REVOLUTION 1863-1877 AND PULITZER-PRIZE-WINNING DEWITT CLINTON PROFESSOR OF HISTORY AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Barton offers an immersive, engaging, and unflinching portrait of the difficulties of the Reconstruction era, while Tate’s cartoonlike artwork softens moments of cruelty and prejudice without diminishing them.

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY *STARRED REVIEW*

For all that we focus on the Civil War in American history, there is far too little attention paid to what happened in the South following the Emancipation Proclamation, the end of the War, and the ratification of the 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution. The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch is a great introduction to Reconstruction and to one of the first African-American members of Congress.

RICHIE PARTINGTON, RICHIE’S PICKS

Tate’s illustrations, rendered in mixed media, ink, and gouache on watercolor paper, are extraordinary… The excellent cartoon-style paintings soften potentially disturbing details, such as the Ku Klux Klan burning a church. … Teachers will find this remarkable story of hope and perseverance a valuable supplement to social studies lessons on the Civil War and Black History Month.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

This is not an easy read — but it’s engaging, compelling, and perfect for starting discussions with kids. Not only do I believe children can handle tough discussions, I believe we owe it to them to teach them to think critically about hard issues. What I love about The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch is that it shows children a hard period in American history and doesn’t flinch away from it. More than that, it asks the reader to think about how these systems of inequality impact the world we live in today.

ANGIE MANFREDI, FAT GIRL READING