Ron's Big Mission

A fictionalized biographical account of an incident from the childhood of Ron McNair, scientist and astronaut, who, as a young African-American boy growing up in late 1950s South Carolina, was not allowed to check books out of the local public library (a privilege reserved only for whites), Ron's Big Mission enlightens and moves, with its story of bravery in the face of injustice. Although the sympathetic librarian is always friendly, and allows him to read to his heart's content, inside the library, and a kind local lady offers to check his books out for him, Ron is determined to get his own library card, and willing to go to extraordinary lengths, for a child of the 1950s, to get it...

A timely reminder that many of the most basic show more rights and privileges - things we now often take for granted - were unavailable to many American citizens (and not so long ago either) because of the color of their skin, this picture-book is inspiring! It is based upon a real incident in the life of a man who would grow up to be a physicist and astronaut, and one can't help but reflect that the same determination to learn that prompted him to defy his town's (and the nation's) unfair policies, must also have stood him in good stead, when pursuing an education and career. The illustrations here, done by Don Tate, are colorful and immediate, in a cartoon-like style. All in all, Ron's Big Mission is an excellent book, for introducing young readers to the wrongs of segregation, and the history of a brilliant man whose life was cut short in the tragic Challenger explosion. show less

Great story and lesson about integrity and spirit. Illustrations are clear and colorful. Story goes too quickly and feels like it could be developed more, but I really enjoyed the author's note and the history of Ron McNair at the end.

Rose Blue and Corinne J. Naden's picture book Ron's Big Mission, a fictionalised account of a real incident of space shuttle astronaut Ron McNair's childhood (Ron McNair was one of the seven astronauts who lost their lives in the 1986 Challenger explosion), shows how a simple, non-violent act of civil protest and courage against racially discriminatory regulations (and by a nine year old child, at that) can challenge racist attitudes, can change unjust and discriminatory rules and regulations.

I really enjoyed the narrative, the flow of this inspiring story; it is both engaging and informative, without being neither too melodramatic nor drily factual. Ron's Big Mission is also a loving and beautiful tribute to Ron McNair, who dreamed of show more becoming a pilot, an astronaut, and who started to make this dream start to become reality one day in 1959, when he boldly and confidently challenged the racially discriminatory policies of his local public library, making people realise and accept that all library patrons should be allowed to have a library card and be permitted to sign out books.

It is interesting and also somewhat heartening how a number of Lake City, South Carolina's white citizens, like Mrs. Fielding, for example, seem to be somewhat in agreement with Ron that the regulations not allowing African Americans to sign out library books are wrong and discriminatory, as they try to circumvent, to work around the rules by offering to sign out books for him. However, as positive, as caring as this might seem, Ron remains determined to obtain his very own library card (circumventing, working around discriminatory laws and rules might work as a temporary fix, but will not change the actual regulations, which remain in place and enforceable). Ron refusing to budge (even after the police has been called) finally causes Mrs. Scott, the librarian, to walk into her office and fill out a library card for him; the discriminatory regulations not allowing African Americans to sign books out of the library have thus not only been challenged, they have now been successfully challenged.

While, of course, it is Ron who originally challenges the discriminatory library rules of Lake City, standing up for what should be basic human rights (and literally, as he is standing on top of the library circulation desk), the role played by the librarian should also not be forgotten or underestimated. For it is Mrs. Scott who gives the discriminatory library rules their coup de grace by actually giving Ron McNair his very own library card. From now on, all library patrons, regardless of background or ethnicity, will be allowed to sign out books, will be permitted to take books home from the library.

I'm a bit torn with regard to Don Tate's illustrations. I think that the colour scheme used and the general depiction of surroundings (buildings, cars, books, airplanes etc.) are descriptive, evocative and well executed, but that with Tate's human figures, the heads at times seem somewhat too large and round for the bodies (especially Ron and one of the policemen appear to have rather balloon-like heads balanced on very pencil-thin necks). I still quite enjoyed the illustrations and believe that they, for the most part, complement and mirror the narrative, but that some of the human figures do seem a bit disproportionate.

Finally, I also appreciate that while the text of Ron's Big Mission focuses on a particular episode in Ron McNair's childhood, the excellent author's note provides additional information, including the fact that Ron McNair was one of the Challenger astronauts. Parents reading this book with or to their children therefore have the option of discussing Ron McNair's career as an astronaut and the Challenger tragedy, or perhaps, simply focusing on the narrative itself and leaving that part for a later discussion, or for when their children are a bit older. show less

Summary:
This biography gives us a glimpse into the childhood of the astronaut Ron McNair. As a child Ron loved going to the library to read books about pilots, but because he was an African American he was never able to receive a library card to check out books. One morning Ron wakes up on a mission. We don not know what that mission is until he gets to the library and demands to check out some books. He is told he can't so he stands on the desk at the library until the librarian agrees to give him a library card.

Personal Summary:
I really enjoyed reading this book. I had no idea what Ron's mission was until he got to the library. I like that even though Ron grew up to be an astronaut, it really doesn't mention that in the book. I liked show more that the focus of this biography was on Ron's love for books.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. After reading the book with students tell them to imagine that they have been denied a library card and they can no longer check out books from the school library. Then have students write a paragraph or two trying to convince you why they should be allowed to have a library card.
2. Discuss with class how the story and Ron's life might have been different if he had never gotten that library card. show less

Ron is a small boy on a big mission. He is a regular at the library but because of his color is not allowed to check out the books and bring them home. Until one day he decides he is going to get his library card, and bring his books home like everyone else. This is a fictional story based on a real event in Ron McNair's life. There is a part in the story that talks about Ron wanting to read books with kids that looked like him but they were so hard to find. Although, it's sad to think that there was ever a time like this, I couldn't help thinking how wonderful it is there is now so many books from children of any background to read and relate to. I loved everything about this book, the story and the illustrations. I think Don Tate's show more illustrations are as powerful as the words. Ron is a small boy with big dreams, I love that on most of the pages Ron takes up most of the page. He is a small boy but the illustrations of him are big like his dreams and personality. I think Tate's colorful illustrations are wonderful and after reading two books he illustrated, I am very interested in reading one he wrote. show less

Summary: Ron's Big Mission is a historical fiction book based off of a real occurrence. This story takes place in the 1950's where discrimination is part of Ron's everyday life. One day he goes to the public library which was his favorite place to be. He was never allowed to take books home, only whites had the privilege of taking books home. Today was the day that Ron was going to stick up for himself and demand that they let him take the books he chose home with him. The librarian tells him he cannot take books home. When he asks her why she had no explanation for him. The police were called as well as his mother. They also could not give him an answer as to why he could not take a book home. Finally, the Librarian leaves to her show more office. Comes back with a Library Card just for Ron, and Ron was ecstatic. He could take his book he chose to enjoy at home.

Personal Reflection: I think this is a great addition to my personal library. It shows a perfect example of a young boy you sticks up for his beliefs, recognizes right from wrong, and works hard to make a difference. He had aspirations for something bigger and didn't stop at someone telling him no, he demanded an change. This is a great multicultural book in how it is focusing on such a young yet courageous character. It introduces discrimination in a context that can be understood and interesting.

Extension: Great book to read during Week of the Young Child. Also during multicultural lesson topic. The end of the book has a extension on how Ron grew up to be the first African American Astronaut, so this could also be read when introducing the question, "When I grow up I want to be" question. show less

I loved this book because it was a delicate way to introduce a very difficult subject to young students. The plot of the story is organized and well-paced. I appreciated that the author started the story without revealing that it was going to take a twist and involve such a heavy topic. This showed children that Ron was just a normal child who was undeserving of the way he was treated. Furthermore, I liked that the author made the main character such a role model to the students. The boy is the same age as most of the readers and still makes a huge impact on his community. This inspires children to make a difference themselves. The purpose of this book was to show that you are never to young to achieve your dreams. It is also a good show more book to introduce the tough topic of segregation. show less