Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Claudette Colvin: I Want Freedom Now! by Claudette Colvin and Phillip Hoose, narrated by Soneela Nankani, is an inspiring and powerful audiobook that brings to life the courageous story of a young civil rights pioneer.

This audiobook is a compelling account of Claudette Colvin’s brave stand against racial segregation in Montgomery, Alabama, nine months before Rosa Parks’ more widely known protest.

The narrative is educational and deeply moving, capturing the essence of Colvin’s determination and the broader context of the civil rights movement. Claudette Colvin’s firsthand account, combined with Phillip Hoose’s insightful writing, provides a rich and nuanced perspective on this pivotal moment in history. The audiobook delves into the personal and societal challenges Colvin faced as a teenager who dared to defy the oppressive norms of her time.

Soneela Nankani’s narration is a stellar aspect of this audiobook. Her expressive and emotive delivery brings an added layer of depth to the story, making the listener feel the weight of Colvin’s experiences and the significance of her actions. Nankani’s ability to convey the emotional intensity of Colvin’s journey enhances the overall impact of the narrative, making it an engaging and immersive listening experience.

The audiobook recounts Colvin’s act of defiance and explores the aftermath and the legal battles that followed. It highlights the often-overlooked contributions of young activists in the civil rights movement and underscores the importance of standing up for justice, regardless of age or circumstance.

Claudette Colvin: I Want Freedom Now! is a must-listen for anyone interested in civil rights history, social justice, and the power of individual courage. It serves as a poignant reminder of the impact one person can have on the course of history and the ongoing struggle for equality.

It is pertinent to remember how recent the Civil Rights Movement is in our history. I want to thank Claudette Colvin for sharing her story with us because she is living proof of the fight for freedom and equal rights that is ongoing and incredibly relevant today. We have all heard of Rosa Parks, John Lewis, and Martin Luther King, Jr.; I value their contributions greatly but I was so interested in learning about Claudette Colvin as I had not heard of her before this book. Her courage is beyond admirable. Children, like Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, and many other brave individuals, have so much power for change. This is an inspiring read and I hope to one day see the accompanying illustrations as I read this as an audiobook. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Excellent audio book for all. I could see teachers using this in class or playing this in the car. It was a great book and super informative.

Claudette Colvin: I Want Freedom Now! By Claudette Colvin and Phillip Hoose
I spent 34 years teaching about the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks is a heroic icon in our history's cannon, but little is reported about Claudette Colvin, who traveled the same path as Rosa, but earlier. Claudette set the stage for Rosa Parks to take her stand. I am very pleased this story is one for young readers as they need to hear and learn about our history and the incidences that occurred in the past.

This audiobook was a privilege to listen to. Claudette Colvin's story was not one I was familiar with, but this has led me to look more into her. The light music and sounds in the background added to the experience, and the narrator did an excellent job. My only critique is that the narrator sounded happy during the portion where Colvin was thrown in jail. Regardless, I would recommend this audiobook.

So beautifully done! The narrator chosen brought Claudette to life spectacularly and captivated me through the whole story.

Everyone has heard of Rosa Parks but it's easy to have missed the story of Claudette Colvin and what she had already inspired in the community, giving Rosa a little extra courage to stay in her seat. This book did a great job telling her story in a way that was interesting and yet still packed with information!

Highly recommend.

I thought this was a great introduction to who Claudette Colvin is and her role in the civil rights movement for children. I thought the narrator did a wonderful job bringing the story to life.

Great to have this inspiring story available as a picture book! I first learned of Claudette Colvin from Twice Toward Justice, and loved this telling from Claudette's perspective, with new details I didn't remember. Audiobook narration was excellent. I look forward to seeing the pictures as well when the book comes to the library.

I want to thank Netgalley for the gifted copy. I loved this story so much. I like history.. BLACK HISTORY because our history is being pushed to the side I like that there are people that had influence and are willing to still tell their stories anyway. Im grateful to have gotten a chance to listen to this audiobook. I even let my kids listen to it as well. This was a great read and you kiddos will enjoy it as well.

This audiobook was made available for me to listen to and review by Claudette Colvin, Phillip Hoose, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley.

This audiobook is narrated by Soneela Nankani. This is a high quality audio production featuring a calming light musical soundtrack. Ms. Nankani has a soft and cultured voice perfect for this narration.

This is a very important story and is directly about racism and segregation. This is sensitively handled, perfect for grade school age children. This is about Claudette Colvin who was a civil rights activist during the Civil Rights Movement starting in the 50's when she was 15. She refused to give up her bus seat for a white women in Montgomery, Alabama. This gives a kid friendly overview of the case that ended bus segregation in Alabama. Also briefly touches on how that case impacted the national changes that ended segregation nationwide.

Thank you to Claudette Colvin, Phillip Hoose, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.