Nina Under Arrest: A Birmingham Children's Crusade Survival Story

By Anitra Butler-Ngugi and Jane Pica

It's May 1963, and twelve-year-old Nina Norris is answering a call from civil rights leaders in Birmingham, Alabama. Black Americans are demanding the right to vote, but adults who protest risk losing their jobs. So, children are protesting in their place. As Nina prepares for her day, she knows she will likely be arrested and put in jail, but it’s a price she is willing to pay so that all people can have a say in their government. Readers can learn the real story of the Birmingham Children’s Crusade from the nonfiction back matter in this Girls Survive story. A glossary, discussion questions, and writing prompts are also provided.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Jan 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9781669059516

Anitra Butler-Ngugi

Anitra Butler-Ngugi is a reading specialist and teacher educator who lives in Maryland and Kenya. She teaches children in grades kindergarten through sixth to love reading and to appreciate the English language. She teaches teachers how to design engaging learning experiences for their students. She earned her bachelor’s degree and her master’s degree from Bowie State University. She enjoys cooking for her husband, traveling, reading, podcasting, and writing books for children.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Norris Family Home

Birmingham, AL

May 3, 1963

Friday morning, 7:00 a.m.

Shake, Rattle and Roll played from the radio on the dresser in my bedroom. I hummed along with the song as my mother redid one of the braids that had come loose during the night while I slept. I was wearing my Lewis Elementary School spirit shirt and my green pleated swing skirt.

A croaky voice spoke on the radio, interrupting the music.

Mornin’, children. This is DJ Shelley the Playboy on WENN. Don’t forget your toothbrushes ’cause lunch will be served. It’s Double D Day, and there’s a party in the park. Jump and shout, we gonna turn it out!

DJ Shelley had a special way of letting his listeners know how to participate in the protests. When DJ Shelley said that there was a party in the park, he was telling everyone where to gather for a protest.

It was a big day—Double D Day. The day before had been D Day, and almost one thousand children living in Birmingham, Alabama, were arrested. On Double D Day, my friends and I planned to get arrested because we were fighting for freedom for Black Americans. Even my nine-year-old brother was coming along.

Shake, Rattle and Roll continued to play on the radio.

Are you nervous, Nina? Momma asked. My name is Antonina Norris, but my family and friends call me Nina. My parents are supporters of the freedom fighters in Birmingham, and they encouraged me to protest.

No, I said. I packed playing cards, a sweater, a toothbrush, toothpaste, some sunflower seeds, and a book in my schoolbag.

Good! exclaimed Momma. I’m so proud of you and your brother. Your father and I would love to join the freedom protests, but we can’t because we would lose our jobs.

My father was a professor of mathematics at Daniel Payne College, and my mother was an English teacher at Center Street Middle School. They couldn’t risk getting fired.

I know, Momma, I said. Reverend Johnny already told us in church last Sunday why the children have to help their parents. We belong to the 16th Street Baptist Church. The church is very active in the fight for the right to vote, and my parents make a lot of donations toward the cause.

You children are brave, said Momma. You are both helping freedom to come quickly.

I’m not afraid of jail, Momma, I said. I want freedom for you, Daddy, and the rest of our family.

Just remember, said Momma, "you are not going to a pep rally. Going to jail will be taxing both mentally and physically. You will need to listen to your group’s leader, and if the police ask what your name is, tell them Nina Simone. They can’t know your true identity because your father and I could lose our jobs even if you kids are the ones protesting."

My mother gave me the alias Nina Simone because she is one of her favorite musical artists. She listens to Nina Simone records on the weekends when she’s cleaning the house.

Yes, ma’am, I said. I’ll remember. And Tyrone will remember his alias too.

My brother’s alias was Dennis Mitchell, after his favorite television character from the television show Dennis the Menace. In a lot of ways, I believed that my brother was a menace, just like Dennis on the show.

And you and Tyrone both need to avoid any form of conflict that leads to violence, said Momma. I don’t want you or your brother to get hurt.

Yes, ma’am, I said.

Alright, said Momma, let me go get Tyrone ready.

I finished getting dressed and went downstairs to the kitchen to make myself a bowl of cereal. I hope Davida doesn’t get cold feet, I thought.

Davida is my best friend and my next-door neighbor. We are both eleven years old, both in the fifth grade, and we both have little brothers. Her family goes to the 16th Street Baptist Church too.

Davida and