I recently read "Call Me Miss Hamilton" by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford.  It is the story of Mary Hamilton who was a Civil Rights activist, a Freedom Rider, and the first female field organizer in the South for the Congress of Racial Equality.  She was frequently arrested.  On one occasion in court, she refused to respond to a white prosecutor until he called her "Miss Hamilton."  (At this time, black people were called by their first names...or worse.)  Ms. Hamilton was charged with contempt of court, and she fought her case all the way to the Supreme Court.  The Supreme Court found in her favor and determined that everyone in court deserves titles of courtesy.

I had not heard of Miss Hamilton, so I really enjoyed learning about her.  My favorite thing about the book is the illustrations which combine illustrations with primary sources.  They are stunning and really put things in context.  So many times when I read a picture book biography, I then seek out the primary sources to contextualize it and to bring it to life for my students.  Jeffery Weatherford has already brought the primary sources and illustrations together!

Here is some more information from the Thurgood Marshall Institute (with some great primary sources...including a portion of the court transcript) about Miss Hamilton and her case.

Check out this great picture book biography!

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