Learning A–Z

Grade
level J
1
Multi-level
Word Count
N/A
309 Riding with
Rosa Parks
Lexile 470L Fiction • Historical

Refer to the Focus Question on page 2 of this title to guide

discussion and support additional learning connected to the text.

Riding with Rosa Parks recounts a period in American

history when segregation laws denied Black people Written by Ellen Forrest
equal rights. The story is told from the point of view Illustrated by Chris Baldwin
of a fictitious character, Marissa, who witnesses the
bravery Rosa Parks displayed when she refused to give
up her seat on the bus. The story provides students with
an opportunity to learn how one person can make a
difference by opposing injustice.

Photo Credit:
Page 15: © Bettmann/Getty Images

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Riding with Focus Question
How can one person

Rosa Parks make a big difference?

Words to Know
arrested law
brave rights
hero unfair

Written by Ellen Forrest

Illustrated by Chris Baldwin
 Table of Contents

On the Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Refusing to Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Taking Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 On the Bus
Making a Difference . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Marissa and her mother
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 were riding the bus .
They were on their way
to Grandma’s house .
They had to sit in the back seats .
Marissa didn’t like the back seats .
Riding with Rosa Parks • Level J 3 4

There was a law that Black people
had to sit at the back of the bus .
Her mother said it was unfair .
Riding with Rosa Parks • Level J
Some white people came on the bus .
Some of the Black people had to
stand and give them their seats .
That was another part of the law .
5 6
 Refusing to Stand
But one Black woman didn’t stand
up . Her name was Rosa Parks .
She didn’t want to move from
her seat .
Riding with Rosa Parks • Level J
The driver told Rosa she had
to move, but she said, “No .”
Then the driver called the police!
The police came and arrested
Rosa Parks .
7 8
Marissa wondered what would
happen next .
She thought about how brave
Rosa Parks had been .
Everybody knew the law, even
if it wasn’t fair .
Riding with Rosa Parks • Level J
Taking Steps
When other people heard
what happened to Rosa,
they got very upset .
They decided to stop riding
the city buses!
9 10
Marissa asked her mom why they For a long time, they walked
had to walk . everywhere .
Her mother said people stopped Marissa’s legs were sometimes
riding the buses to show that the very tired .
law was unfair . Still, they didn’t ride the bus .
Riding with Rosa Parks • Level J 11 12
 Making a Difference
Finally, an amazing thing happened .
The law was changed!
Marissa and her mom could now
sit at the front of the bus .
They didn’t have to stand and give
up their seats to white people .
Riding with Rosa Parks • Level J
Marissa learned that one person
could make a difference .
She learned people could
j oin together to change things .
13 14

Today, Rosa Parks is a hero because
she said no to something that
was unfair .
She made the law in the United
States change .
Many other people have followed
Rosa’s example .
They keep working to make sure
people of all colors have the
same rights .
Riding with Rosa Parks • Level J
Glossary
arrested (v.) page 8
captured or held someone in custody
using the power of law
brave (adj.) page 9
having courage when facing something
scary, hard, or painful
hero (n.) page 15
a person known for a brave act
or actions that helped others
law (n.) page 5
a rule or set of rules made by
a government
rights (n.) page 15
freedoms or powers that a person can
justly claim
unfair (adj.) page 5
not just, honorable, or fair
15 16