Book details
Angela Johnson - Author
Two young sisters leave home to join men and women preparing to march for freedom and justice. The story foregrounds young people taking part in the Civil Rights movement.
A stirring yet jubilant glimpse of the youth involvement that played an invaluable role in the Civil Rights movement. There's a sweet, sweet smell in the air as two young girls sneak out of their house, down the street, and across town to where men and women are gathered, ready to march for freedom and justice. Inspired by the countless young people who took a stand against the forces of injustice, two Coretta Scott King Honorees, Angela Johnson and Eric Velasquez, offer a stirring yet jubilant glimpse of the youth involvement that played an invaluable role in the Civil Rights movement.
Book Analysis
Sign in to see how this book fits your child and family preferences.
Sign in for personalised guidanceHow the book presents it: The book presents this favourably.
Talk about: What can the sisters’ participation show about the role young people may play in collective efforts for change?
It offers a child-centred glimpse of collective action, placing young people within a wider movement for justice rather than focusing only on adult participants.
The story is set amid the Civil Rights struggle against injustice and prejudice. Consider whether you would like to talk together about what freedom and justice mean in this historical context.
What might the sisters be hoping to do by joining the march, and how might young people contribute to a movement for change?
Read together and pause to explore the sisters’ decision to take part. Invite your child to connect their actions with the marchers’ stated aims of freedom and justice.
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
A Sweet Smell of Roses - Angela Johnson - Google Books
Limited information
Checked: 1 October 2026.
Relevant to: Young people in collective action
A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson | Open Library
Limited information
Checked: 1 October 2026.
Relevant to: Young people in collective action
Benefits, discussion questions and reading approaches are suggestions. Your knowledge of your child remains part of the decision.
Suitabook