Teaching for Change

How Septima Clark Led the Civil Rights

Movement to Justice

A TRUE TALE WITH

A CHERRY ON TOP

Quill Tree Books

(Harper Collins)

(pub. 1.27.2026)

40 pages

Ages 4 - 8

Authors: Yvonne Clark-Rhines with

Monica Clark-Robinson

   Illustrator: Abigail Albano-Payton

Character: Septima Clark

Overview:

" Septima Clark was born poor, Black, and a girl. Being one of those things in 1898 was hard, but all three meant that access to education was going to be a fight. But with strong, hard-working women in her life, a determination to learn, and a passion for knowledge, Septima learned to read and write against all odds.

Teaching for Change charts the monumental life of one tenacious woman—once referred to as The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—who made it her mission to bring equity to literacy. Thanks to her efforts, the Black community was able to rise up against oppressive Jim Crow laws that tried to stifle their votes.

Septima persevered through adversity, discrimination, and even wrongful arrests to ensure that the road to liberation remained open for all people. This story is a testament to the power and importance of community-minded action."

Tantalizing taste:

"She would teach anyone who would listen,

and children would gather around to learn.

Even though every card she'd been dealt

was stacked against her,

from a young age, there was a fire in Septima.

Her daddy taught her peace

and her mama taught her strength -

and with those as her guide,

Sepia could always find a way."

And something more: Yvonne Clark-Rhines in Author's Note explains: "Septima was more than a grandmother to me... Mama Seppie had the strength of a lion and the heart of an angel. Mama Seppie is the embodiment of Black Girl (Woman) Magic."