The Case for Loving, Alko & Qualls / Historical Fiction

Title: The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage

Author:  Selina Alko
Illustrators: Sean Qualls & Selina Alko
Genre: Historical Fiction
Awards: N/A
Ages: 2nd grade and up

Summary:
This story fallows a young interracial couple as they grow up and fall in love. The pair want to gte married but it is illegal in Virginia in 1958. They get married in Washington D.C. where it is legal. However, upon coming home to live in Virginia they are arrested for unlawful cohabitation. They must move away in order to stay married. In 1966, the couple hire lawyers and take their case to the supreme court where the court rules in their favor making interracial marriage legal. 

Illustrations:
The pairing of Alko and Qualls illustration styles is a very pleasing result. The paintings look almost like collage the way they are styled. The book is cover to cover illustration with beautiful art surrounding the realistic scenes and characters. 

In the classroom:
This story would be great for students to read to learn about the history of race relations. It is a story of love and hope. This is the not too distant past being described for readers. It is important that things like this are shown and exposed to students so they may better understand modern issues.