Review: Love is Loud: How Diane Nash Led the Civil Rights Movevement

Love is Loud: How Diana Nash led The Civil Right Movement by Sandra Neil Wallace and Bryan Collier is a fantastic resource for anyone looking for inspiring stories for next month’s Black History Month celebrations. Covering the life of Diane Nash, the picture book biography provides young readers with a moving history lesson about an unsung hero of the Civil Rights Movement.

Though she isn’t mentioned as often as the men she worked alongside in history lessons, Diane Nash courageously fought for civil rights. As a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Diane led nonviolent protests such as sit-ins and Freedom Rides, led voting rights campaigns in Alabama, and shocked the nation when she wrote about going to prison for the freedom of her unborn child.

Written with a unique second person point of view, Love is Loud tells Diane’s story, beginning with her childhood in Chicago, surrounded by the kind of love she would learn to use to fight hatred and injustice. I found the second person point of view and interesting choice, since you don’t see many picture book biographies written this way, but it worked in this case. I also appreciated the way Sandra uses assonance throughout the book, by repeatedly using pairs of rhyming words. This choice made me read it with a very unique rhythm that almost brought to mind spoken word poetry.

The skillfully crafted text pairs wonderfully with Bryan Collier’s distinctive style of illustrations. Combining watercolor with detailed collage, Bryan beautifully captures Diane’s story and her love for humankind.

The extensive backmatter (including an Author’s Note, Illustrator’s Note, Timeline, and other resources) makes Love is Loud a fantastic selection for classrooms or school libraries. There is also a wonderful discussion guide on Sandra Neil Wallace’s website that provides a great curriculum tie in for both Black History Month, and Women’s History month coming up.

Love is Loud is available wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon, so be sure to grab your copy today! (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and to continue bringing content to you. I always appreciate your support!)

Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster Books For Young Readers and BlueSlip Media for providing me with a review copy of Love is Loud. I’m honored to be able to share Diane’s story with everyone today.

You Might Also Like: