(Non-fiction) Review of THEY CALLED THEMSELVES THE KKK by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

1. Bibliography
Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. 2010. THEY CALLED THEMSELVES THE KKK: THE BIRTH OF AN AMERICAN TERRORIST GROUP. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN 9780618440337


2. Plot Summary
This thoughtful, in-depth nonfiction social history book is a collection of primary source documents, first account personal stories, and archival photographs about the history and effects of the Ku Klux Klan within our American history. Beginning with six disgruntled Southern men full of hate for the reconstruction taking place in the South, They Called Themselves the KKK, tells the story of the powerful organization, from its birth up until 2008, when the first African American was placed into the presidential office. Through first accounts from former slaves, (about 70 years later after the Civil War), Bartoletti allows others to tell their stories of their struggles and triumphs over oppression in the South.

3. Critical Analysis
Susan Campbell Bartoletti tells the story of the Ku Klux Klan through elaborate, but not an over-whelming amount of text, first account quotations and stories, archival photographs, newspaper clippings, and drawings that are captioned with explanation. Her style and choice of words are extremely accessible and clearly written for her audience of tweens and teens and beyond. The chapter titles are engaging, drawing readers in, and seem reminiscent of a chapter title in a fiction book, versus a nonfiction book. However, the chapter titles still allow readers to understand what the chapter will be about so that they may pick and choose what they would like to learn. The book is organized in chronological order, beginning with the KKK's conception in Tennessee through its current happenings, but most chapters contain prior years' information, allowing the reader to still find the facts they need without reading the book cover to cover.  The photogaphs' and drawings' captions not only grab the reader's attention and add to the text of the writer, but they also add additional information for the reader to absorb. The photos are mainly from a newspaper of the time period, Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, or from Harper's Weekly, adding to the book's credibility.  The timeline at the back of the book contains years beginning with 1863 and ending with 2008 states important dates regarding how the KKK affected people and society, including information about laws and amendments to the constitution that were passed regarding African American rights.  Adding the personal accounts of former slaves adds a personal quality to this social history. Without the interwoven accounts and quotations from these freed people, the book would not be nearly as effective in making the reader understand the effects of the Ku Klux Clan. These accounts helped show Bartoletti's interest and compassion for the stories of those who could tell about the Klan's actions best - those who had experienced them. This book will spur critical thinking, further interest in the subject of the Klan and all of the sub-topics that are mentioned in the book, as well as an understanding for the violence and persecution that the freed people of America had to face - strictly from facts.

4. Review Excerpts and Notable Awards/Honors:
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Bartoletti effectively targets teens with her engaging and informative account that presents a well-structured inside look at the KKK, societal forces that spawn hate/terrorist groups, and the research process."

BOOKLIST STARRED REVIEW: Like the individual stories, the powerful archival images on every page will leave an indelible impression on young readers, who will want to move on to the extensive annotated resources. The adjacent Story behind the Story feature fills in more details about this lucid, important title, which should be required reading for young people as well as the adults in their lives.

Winner of/Honored by:

• 2011 ALA Notable Children’s Books, Older Readers
• Booklist 2011 Top 10 Books for Youth, Black History
• 2011 NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended
• IRA Notable Books for a Global Society 2011
• Booklist 2010 Editor’s Choice, Books for Youth, Nonfiction, Older Readers
• Booklist Lasting Connections of 2010, Social Studies; Horn Book Fanfare, Best Books of 2010, Nonfiction
• Kirkus Reviews 2010 Best Books for Teens
• Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Books 2010, Nonfiction; School Library Journal Best Books 2010: Nonfiction
• YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Finalist, 2011
  

5. Connections
A. Students could research other sources about the Ku Klux Klan, including modern day resources, articles, and first person accounts in groups and then create a synthesis product based on their discoveries.
B. Students could compare and contrast the KKK to other terrorist organizations of today. 
C. A gallery walk of the images inside the book or found through other sources by the teacher could be taken prior to looking at this text in order to create conversations about the organization and to tap into background knowledge.

*Other informational books about climbing the Ku Klux Klan or other terrorist groups:
Various authors. THE ROOTS OF TERRORISM SERIES. 2003-2006.
MacLean, Nancy K. BEHIND THE MASK OF CHIVALRY: THE MAKING OF THE SECOND KU KLUX KLAN. ISBN 9780195098365
Based on true events picture book about the Klan to discuss with students:
Stauffacher, Sue. BESSIE SMITH AND THE NIGHT RIDERS. Ill. John Holyfield. ISBN 9780399242373

Poetic novel about the people who bear witness to the KKK's actions:
Hesse, Karen. WITNESS. ISBN 978-0439272001

A fictional book about the Ku Klux Klan to spur conversations with students:
Vander Zee, Ruth. MISSISSIPPI MORNING. ISBN 978-0802852113




Image from Goodreads.com