UP CLOSE: THURGOOD MARSHALL

Crowe offers an engaging, insightful portrait of the first African-American Supreme Court justice. Prefacing Marshall’s life story with an overview of race relations in the United States prior to his birth, the narrative effectively portrays both the racist society Marshall was born into and the way the injustices of his times shaped his remarkable career as a civil-rights attorney. Focusing on his career with the NAACP—which is convincingly presented as the most compelling aspect of his life—Marshall’s pivotal involvement in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision is chronicled, as are lesser-known but equally important cases. Crowe notes that although Marshall always operated within the law, he frequently faced the lawlessness of a racist society, including several narrow escapes from lynch mobs. Anecdotes and quotes effectively illustrate Marshall’s folksy demeanor, humor, intelligence and sharp wit. This is a captivating portrait of a heroic champion of justice that also offers great insight into the most pivotal moments of the Civil Rights Movement. (source notes, bibliography, further reading, index, photo credits) (Biography. 11 & up)