In the summer of 1963, non-violent protests were held at the Gywnn Oak Amusement Park in Baltimore, Maryland to condemn the park’s segregation policy. On August 28, 1963, the park was desegregated and eleven-month-old Sharon Langley was the first African American child to ride the park’s merry-go-around.
Read the recently published picture book and middle grade book on this topic, then learn more by watching the documentary:
A RIDE TO REMEMBER: A CIVIL RIGHTS STORY by Sharon Langley and Amy Nathan tells the story of the Gywnn Oak Amusement Park protests and young Sharon Langley’s experience riding the merry-go-round. This beautifully illustrated picture book concludes with historical information and a timeline.
Amy Nathan also wrote the middle and high school nonfiction text ROUND AND ROUND TOGETHER: TAKING A MERRY-GO-ROUND INTO THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.
ALL THE KING’S HORSES: THE STORY OF GWYNN OAK AMUSEMENT PARK is a video documentary chronicling the efforts to desegregate the park. Told through eyewitness accounts and personal narrative, the video presents all sides of the issue.
ALL THE KING’S HORSES https://youtu.be/IPRMQH9PxFQ
ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for All Readers.
