Moving forward From space-age rides to Civil Rights sit-ins with Airman Alton Yates

This is the story of Alton Yates, a Black man who grew up in Jim Crow Florida. Inspired by a school visit from Daniel "Chappie" James, the first Black four-star general, Yates joined the Air Force in 1955 and worked with a then-new agency called NASA. Yates participated in hazardous experiments that helped engineers develop safety measures (seat belts and lunar space suits). After an honorable discharge, he drove home through the Deep South, experiencing horrible racism. This inspired him to become a civil rights activist, but he was severely injured during a 1960 sit-in at a Woolworth's lunch counter in North Carolina. At this point, the narrative suddenly jumps forward 57 years, and readers see Yates reminiscing at his kitchen table with the author, who heard Yates' story on public radio. Young readers may be confused by the abrupt time shift, but this is an important narrative deserving of a wide audience. The illustrations are especially effective, and there's a helpful time line and explanatory back matter. Use this as a read-aloud and conversation starter.

This solid, though somewhat didactic, biography rescues an influential civil rights activist from relative obscurity. Growing up in the Jim Crow South, Alton Yates witnessed the indignities suffered by Black war veterans due to racism. Still, young Alton longed to join the Air Force and advance his education, so he enlisted in 1955. At Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, he met Paul Stapp, a White lieutenant colonel known as the "Fastest Human on Earth" because of record-breaking speed tests he'd endured. Dr. Stapp was conducting pioneering studies examining human tolerance to extreme acceleration and deceleration and was recruiting research volunteers. Alton stepped up immediately. For four years, he submitted himself to physically punishing experiments, risking his life in the name of scientific progress, until his father's illness drew him away from military service. Upon returning home to Jacksonville, Florida, Alton, emboldened by the respect and dignity he had been afforded at Holloman, committed himself to the battle for racial justice. The story relates his involvement in Jacksonville's NAACP Youth Council and the dangers he encountered while participating in civil rights protests en route to its soberly triumphal ending summarizing Yates' legacy. The digitally rendered illustrations are historically accurate but somewhat unoriginal and depict White characters and Black characters of various skin tones. The backmatter, including the author's photograph with Alton Yates, is informative. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Readers will be inspired by one man's guiding ethic: forward ever, backward never. (timeline, author's note, illustrator's note, selected sources) (Picture book biography. 6-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.