Reviews: (by author)

Johnson, Angela. A Sweet Smell of Roses. Illus. Eric Velasquez. New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2005. ISBN 0-689-83253-4

Two young sisters slip out of their home to join the Civil Rights marchers and listen Martin Luther King speak. The first-person narrative presents the wise words of a child's vision: "Then we look farther down the road and keeps holding hands, feeling a part of it all. Walking our way toward freedom." We are drawn into Johnson's story by the rhythm of her language and by the repetition of one phrase: "a sweet smell of roses." This phrase echoes at central moments in the girls' experience: sneaking from home, waiting to march, passing by as people scream at them, finding people join the march, and hearing Dr. King speak of "peace, love, nonviolence, and a chance for everybody."
While we associate certain names with the Civil Rights Movement: Rosa Parks, Medger Evers, Thurgood Marshall, and others, Johnson reminds us that children also participated in those times. She honors those who "could not resist the scent of freedom carried aloft by the winds of change." Her story stops a moment in history for us.
Johnson has received numerous Coretta Scott King Awards for her picture books: When I Am Old with You, I Dream of Trains, and Just Like Josh Gibson and for her books for older readers: The First Part Last and Toning the Sweep. Likewise, the illustrator, Eric Velasquez, has received a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for illustrating The Piano Man, and he illustrated two other fine books: The Sound that Jazz Makes and Liberty Street .
Velasquez provides engaging, thoughtful, and moving charcoal drawings of the girls' adventure. His use of charcoal gives the illustrations a look of old newspapers and news footage, adding warmth to the dramatic scenes of marchers, crowds, and Dr. King. Particularly powerful are the facial expressions. Constantly our eyes search the art to determine people's reactions to the surrounding events. The only color used is a touch of red: the ribbon tied around Minnie's teddy bear and the stripes in the American flag. The red seems to illuminate the girls' innocence and underscores the political statement of freedom for all.

Toni Rowden, January 2006

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