Loving Vs. Virginia

 1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Powell, Patricia Hruby. 2017. Loving vs. Virginia. Ill. by Shadra Strickland. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. ISBN: 9781452125909

2.      PLOT SUMMARY

This novel written in verse follows the love story of Mildred “Millie” and Richard Loving. It begins with Mildred describing her youth and the early connection she makes with Richard, her older brothers’ white friend. This doesn’t really matter in their mixed race community, but things get more difficult as their relationship gets more serious. Mildred gets twice pregnant while she’s still in high school and this accelerates their decision to get married. They have to get married in Washington D.C., because their marriage is illegal in their home state of Virginia. Once they get back home, it isn’t long before they are arrested in their own home in the middle of the night. This begins a legal battle that goes on for years with them having to move between Washington D.C. and Virginia throughout, until they finally win the battle, allowing them to live as a married couple with their family in Virginia.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The story is told in a very unique way. The main characters get to add in their feelings and perspectives throughout. It’s nice to understand what Richard or Mildred is thinking about and the back-and-forth narration gives the reader an opportunity to understand what it must have been like for the both of them. The verse flows seamlessly from page to page and it’s a quick read. The emotion is captured pretty well throughout. It’s easy to get a feeling of the frustration and anger that came with their experiences. The time spent in jail, the humiliation, the wait. “He pauses. In that moment, I don’t breathe. I look him in the eye.”, “Mama watches me go off / with the white men. Get in the car. Go to jail” The illustrations are beautiful. The outlines are dark and the color is limited. The nights are depicted in deep shades of blue and the bright country days are contrasted in yellow. Actual images of the time are included to illustrate the important events that were taking place throughout the course of their story. There are also pages dedicated to different years and the important events that took place within them. The author interviewed several people that were very close to the couple, achieving an authenticity that would’ve been very difficult to achieve otherwise.

4.      REVIEW EXCERPTS

Starred review in Booklist: “Placing their personal stories within the broader context of the major events of the civil rights movement happening at the time, occasional sections feature archival photos as well as significant quotes. Powell’s thorough research includes 10 interviews. Not seen in final form, Strickland’s expressive illustrations draw on a mid-twentieth-century style. Fine, dramatic storytelling in a memorable verse format.”

Reviewed in Horn Book Magazine: “Interviews Powell conducted with family and friends of the Lovings add an impressive level of detail, and vivid depiction of the social environment is accomplished through ample primary source material--full-page period photos, quotes from civil rights leaders (and segregationists), and newspaper reports.”

Starred review in Kirkus Reviews: “A song of love vs. a cacophony of hate—all in a beautiful model of bookmaking.”

Reviewed in Publishers Weekly: “This is an excellent starter book for those interested in learning the basics of the civil rights movement as Powell thoughtfully traces the events leading up to the Lovings' case.”

Reviewed in School Library Journal: “This title, depicting the individuals and events surrounding a watershed moment in U.S. civil rights history, is immediately relevant today.”

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) starred

 

5.      CONNECTIONS

*Other books written by Patricia Hruby Powell:

Powell, Patricia Hruby. Josephine: the dazzling life of Josephine Baker. ISBN: 9781452103143

Powell, Patricia Hruby. Lift as you climb: the story of Ella Baker. ISBN: 9781534406230

Powell, Patricia Hruby. Struttin' with some barbecue: Lil Hardin Armstrong becomes the first lady of jazz. ISBN: 9781580897402

*This book can be used to initiate discussions about the Civil Rights Movement and the different events that impacted the decision made by the Supreme Court.

*Invite students to write letters to Richard and Mildred asking them any questions they still have about their life.