The first author spotlight on Andrew Aydin is a special one, as we are fortunate enough to be hosting him this upcoming week on John R. Lewis’ birthday. Our school is named after Lewis and our students read the graphic novels that Aydin co-wrote with Lewis, March (books 1-3) and Run. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the release of March: Book One which has won numerous awards including the National Book Award.
Aydin’s work with Lewis started as a member of the Congressman’s staff, then developed into a partnership to tell Lewis’ story. In 2019 Aydin also co-founded Good Trouble Productions to continue the work of producing nonfiction graphic novels and multimedia projects that have purpose, combining art with advocacy.
The March graphic novels are illustrated by Nate Powell and chronicle Lewis’ experience in the Civil Rights Movement, including his work as a Freedom Rider and leading the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. The novels are powerful, with March: Book One alternating between Lewis growing up and his early days in the Civil Rights Movement with him as a Congressman preparing for President Obama’s inauguration.
Run was written as a follow up to the March series and focuses on Lewis’ life after the passage of the Civil Rights Act. It was the last book Aydin co-wrote with Lewis and was released after Lewis’ death in 2020.
Andrew Aydin biography information from
“bio — Andrew Aydin.” Andrew Aydin, https://www.andrewaydin.com/bio. Accessed 15 February 2024.