A JANE ADDAMS BOOK AWARD HONOR BOOK • An in-depth examination of the Emmett Till murder case, a hate crime that helped spark the Civil Rights Movement and continues to teach Americans about the urgent need for equal rights—updated and revised with a new chapter.
“Crowe pays powerful tribute to a boy whose untimely death spurred a national chain of events.”—Publishers Weekly
In August 1955, a group of white men kidnapped and brutally murdered a fourteen-year-old boy in the Mississippi Delta. Why? Because a white woman said he whistled at her. And the boy, Emmett Till, was Black. What’s more, Emmett’s killers were never convicted—they got away with murder.
The extreme brutality of the crime put a national spotlight on racial violence in the South. But it was the dramatic trial and speedy acquittal of Emmett’s white murderers that sparked widespread outrage that left a lasting impact on American history. Backed by careful research, Getting Away with Murder investigates the lead-up to Emmett’s murder, its unprecedented aftermath, and its significance to the civil rights movement.
This revised edition has been updated to reflect the newest information about Emmett’s life and untimely death, including recently uncovered details about his accuser’s testimony. A new chapter featuring additional photographs examines the significance of the case in the twenty-first century and grants even more insight into the ongoing legacy of Emmett Till.
HONOR Jane Addams Children's Book Award
RECOMMENDED Orbis Pictus Non-Fiction Award
A Jane Addams Book Award Honor book • An Orbis Pictus recommended book • An ALA Best Book for Young Adults • A School Library Journal Best Book
"This book is a mandatory addition to all libraries because of the impact and importance this crime had on our history."—School Library Journal
"Crowe's powerful, terrifying account does justice to its subject in bold, direct telling, supported by numerous archival photos and quotes from those who remember, including Emmett's mother."—Booklist
"Crowe pays powerful tribute to a boy whose untimely death spurred a national chain of events."—Publishers Weekly
A JANE ADDAMS BOOK AWARD HONOR BOOK • An in-depth examination of the Emmett Till murder case, a hate crime that helped spark the Civil Rights Movement and continues to teach Americans about the urgent need for equal rights—updated and revised with a new chapter.
“Crowe pays powerful tribute to a boy whose untimely death spurred a national chain of events.”—Publishers Weekly
In August 1955, a group of white men kidnapped and brutally murdered a fourteen-year-old boy in the Mississippi Delta. Why? Because a white woman said he whistled at her. And the boy, Emmett Till, was Black. What’s more, Emmett’s killers were never convicted—they got away with murder.
The extreme brutality of the crime put a national spotlight on racial violence in the South. But it was the dramatic trial and speedy acquittal of Emmett’s white murderers that sparked widespread outrage that left a lasting impact on American history. Backed by careful research, Getting Away with Murder investigates the lead-up to Emmett’s murder, its unprecedented aftermath, and its significance to the civil rights movement.
This revised edition has been updated to reflect the newest information about Emmett’s life and untimely death, including recently uncovered details about his accuser’s testimony. A new chapter featuring additional photographs examines the significance of the case in the twenty-first century and grants even more insight into the ongoing legacy of Emmett Till.
Awards
HONOR Jane Addams Children's Book Award
RECOMMENDED Orbis Pictus Non-Fiction Award
Praise
A Jane Addams Book Award Honor book • An Orbis Pictus recommended book • An ALA Best Book for Young Adults • A School Library Journal Best Book
"This book is a mandatory addition to all libraries because of the impact and importance this crime had on our history."—School Library Journal
"Crowe's powerful, terrifying account does justice to its subject in bold, direct telling, supported by numerous archival photos and quotes from those who remember, including Emmett's mother."—Booklist
"Crowe pays powerful tribute to a boy whose untimely death spurred a national chain of events."—Publishers Weekly
