The Picture Book Buzz - Interview with Pat Zietlow Miller and Review of Unstoppable John
Pat Zietlow Miller knew she wanted to be a writer ever since her seventh-grade English teacher read her paper about square-dancing skirts out loud in class and said: “This is the first time anything a student has written has given me chills.”
Pat started out as a newspaper reporter and wrote about everything from dartball and deer-hunting to diets and decoupage. Then, she joined an insurance company -- and then another -- and edited their newsletters and magazines. Now, Pat focuses on her favorite thing -- writing picture books. Pat lives in Wisconsin with one wonderful husband, two delightful daughters, and two pampered cats.
Pat’s the author of 24 books, including A Girl Can Build Anything with e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, illustrated by Keisha Morris (2024), Lupe Lopez: Rock Star Rules! with e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, illustrated by Joe Cepeda (2022), My Brother, The Duck, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman (2020), When You Are Brave, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler (2019), Remarkably You, illustrated by Patrice Barton (2018), Loretta's Gift, illustrated by Alea Marley (2018), Wide-Awake Bear, illustrated by Jean Kim (2018), Be Kind, illustrated by Jen Hill, Sophie's Squash Go To School, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf (2016), The Quickest Kid In Clarksville, illustrated by Frank Morrison (2016), Sharing The Bread, illustrated by Jill McElmurry (2016), Wherever You Go, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler (2015), and Sophie's Squash, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf (2013) a Golden Kite Award for picture book text from the SCBWI and a Charlotte Zolotow and an Ezra Jack Keats New Author honor book
Her newest picture book, Unstoppable John: How John Lewis Got His Library Card – And Helped Change History, releases on January 7.
As your first nonfiction biography, what was the hardest part of writing this book? What was the most fun?
I used to work as a journalist, so I had fun moving back into the world of nonfiction. I knew I wanted this book to focus on the role books and libraries played in Rep. Lewis’ life. So as I read and read and read and listened to interviews and speeches Rep. Lewis had made, I knew what I was looking for and pulled everything I could find.
Then, it was a matter of putting it all in order and looking for the story that best connected the parts. Even though my picture book focused on books and libraries and learning, I personally learned so much more about Rep. Lewis and the Civil Right movement that I had never learned in school but should have. And while much of what I learned isn’t directly in the book, it shaped how I wrote the words that are.
Researching this book made me a better-informed person. If you want to brush up on your Civil Rights knowledge, I’d recommend Lewis’ three-part graphic novel series March along with his memoir Walking With The Wind to start. There’s a more complete list of resources in the back of my book.
It can be pretty amazing how much of the research doesn't actually end up in books. I'm looking forward to reading his GN series. Thanks for the recommendation! What was your inspiration or spark of curiosity for Unstoppable John: How John Lewis Got His Library Card – and helped Change History?
The spark for this story came in 2016, when I saw Rep. Lewis give his acceptance speech after he won the National Book Award for the third graphic novel in his March series. He talked about how, when he was 16 years old, he walked into the whites-only library in his hometown of Troy, Alabama, and asked for a library card even though he knew they would tell him “no.” He also shared his lifelong love of reading.
Like everyone else who saw the speech, I was moved. But I wasn’t thinking about a possible book.
Photo courtesy of the Fairfax County Public Library
Then, the School Library Journal shared this as their picture of the week. It’s a note that the Fairfax County Library in Fairfax, Virginia sent to Rep. Lewis after seeing his speech. It included a library card and an invitation for him to come see them at any time.
I started researching and writing not long after that. When I learned that Rep. Lewis had married a librarian, I knew I had enough material to write a picture book focusing on his love for books, libraries, and learning.
I love how all the pieces seemed to fall together for you. Did you get any push back on writing about John Lewis when you don’t share the same ethnicity?
This is something I thought about a lot before proceeding with this book. In fact, after I had a final draft, my agent and I put the book on hold for a few years for this reason.
Then, several other picture books about different aspects of John Lewis’ life were published by African-American creators:
· Preaching to the Chickens by Jabari Asim and E.B. Lewis, about Rep. Lewis’ childhood and how taking care of his family’s chickens set the stage for his lifetime of caring and service.
· Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis by Lesa Ransome and James E. Ransome, about Lewis’ Civil Rights work as an adult.
· Because of You, John Lewis by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Keith Henry Brown, about Rep. Lewis’ later-in-life friendship with a young Tybre Faw.
These wonderful books shared parts of Rep. Lewis’ life that my story about books and libraries did not, and I thought – maybe – there was space for my book in the discussion. And you absolutely should read these other titles to get the full picture of John Lewis’ legacy.
Thanks for the video. It's so fun to see how authors relate to and focus on different aspects of a person's life in the creation of their books. What’s something you want your readers to know about Unstoppable John? Or something you didn’t get to include in the book or the back matter?
I hope readers take away the lifelong love of learning that Rep. Lewis had. Along with his efforts to get a library card and read every book he could find, he earned degrees from the American Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University and spent his life learning as much as he could.
I hope readers will be inspired by Lewis’ ongoing curiosity, along with his acceptance of and love for others.
And, I hope they realize that the fight for access to books isn’t over. Yes, anyone can get a library card today, but recent book-banning efforts mean people still might not have access to certain books.
I hope they do too! Although you beautifully expand on the violence and danger which John encountered and overcame, how hard was it to capture the story in terms understandable and appropriate for a picture book audience?
Throughout the book, I tried to keep the concept of fairness centered. Kids are very aware of what’s fair and what isn’t, and the Jim Crow laws of the past were both racist and unfair.
I also tried to keep the book’s language simple, clear, accurate and straightforward. I tried several approaches and structures before I found the one that best told the story.
The book includes an author note, timeline, and a resource list that provides more details about Rep. Lewis’ extraordinary life.
You did a great job making John Lewis and his battles relatable for kids! When you saw Jerry Jordan’s illustrations for Unstoppable John did anything surprise, amaze, or delight you? Which is your favorite spread?
Well, first, the cover is gorgeous, showing John Lewis surrounded by all the books. I smile every time I see it.
Text © Pat Zietlow Miller, 2025. Image © Jerry Jordan, 2025.
Then, I adore the final spread before the author’s note where John is sitting at a desk with a big cup of coffee or tea with books stacked behind him.
This is Jerry’s second picture book, and I know he’s going to have a long, successful career.
Note: How Jerry and I got matched for this book is a tale full of serendipity. This article explains all the coincidences that led to it happening.
Thank you for including the link to the tale of how you two teamed up for this book. Are there any new projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us?
I have another book coming out in September called One Can Be, with art by Annie Cron.
I think of it as an ode to introverts and quiet leaders.
Sometimes you need to be alone – to think and breathe. Other times you need to be with friends – those you know and those you’ve just met. And, sometimes, everyone works together to create something wonderful.
This is a book about trusting yourself and your ideas, seeing a need, and connecting with others to meet it. It’s perfect for introverts, quiet leaders, and anyone who loves books and little free libraries.
Sounds like a wonderful book! I can't wait to read it. Last question, what animal or natural feature (or place) do you want to learn more about? Why?
I am all about cats. I have two of my own, and I’m a big fan of my two grandcats. I’m also the sort of person who talks to pictures and videos of cute cats I see online. I tell them how cute they are, how much I love them, and that they can come live with me if they ever need to. And, I’m not even slightly embarrassed about this.
So I’m totally down with learning more about cats and how they think and why they do the things they do.
I am totally with you Pat! Cats are so amazing and loving. Thank you, Pat, for coming back to talk about your newest picture book.
To find out more about Pat Zietlow Miller, or to contact her:
Website: https://www.patzietlowmiller.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.z.miller
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatZMiller
Pinterest: https://www.instagram.com/patzmill/
Review of Unstoppable John: How John Lewis Got His Library Card
A fascinating and easily accessible nonfiction biography of a man who loved books and was determined to fight for fairness, equality, and the right to a public library card.
Unstoppable John: How John Lewis Got His Library Card
Author: Pat Zietlow Miller
Illustrator: Jerry Jordan
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers (2025)
Ages: 4-8
Themes:
Libraries, activism, racism, fairness, and persistence.
Synopsis:
A poignant picture book biography on how John Lewis got his library card and helped change history.
All John Lewis wanted was a library card, but in 1956, libraries were only for white people.
That didn't seem fair to John, and so he spent a lifetime advocating for change and fighting against unfair laws until the laws changed. Finally, black people could eat at restaurants, see movies, vote in elections, and even get library cards. With an in-depth author's note, a timeline of John Lewis's life, and a lengthy list of resources, Unstoppable John, illustrated by Jerry Jordan and written by New York Times bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller, explores the profound impact John had on the world and that books had on him.
Opening Lines:
All John Lewis wanted was
a book. Actually, John
wanted lots of books. Enough to
fill a room and spill out into the hall.
But John's family couldn't
afford books. Sure, they had a
bible - but John had already read
that. Several times.
What I LOVED about this book:
Starting with young John Lewis's love of books and yearning for learning, this wonderful picture book biography brings today's young readers gently into the Civil Rights Movement, using the lens of fairness (something which almost feels ingrained in young children). Although written as a delightful third-person narrative nonfiction, the beginning contains an interesting, quick second-person nod to children who might chime in that he should just go to a library. "You might think that you can solve John's problem. You might think John should go to the library." By answering this with the statement, "But there were different laws when John was young. Those laws weren't fair. But that didn't stop John," the overarching threads of John's life - books, learning, fighting for fairness, and dogged persistence are set out beautifully for a child.
Text © Pat Zietlow Miller, 2025. Image © Jerry Jordan, 2025.
Unwilling to merely accept the injustice, John asked a glowering librarian to borrow a book and when he was refused, he tried to convince the library to change the rules. He didn't quit. Although he found a room full of books at college, he still couldn't get a public library card. He also couldn't eat at a restaurant, go to a theater, ride in the front of a bus, or register to vote. Privleges that so many of us take for granted. I wish that the first series of pictures introducing these unfair laws didn't show what appears to be John and others doing the prohibited actions.
But these panels do set up a nice 'bookend" for the middle of the book which explores John's use of books and learning to combat/protest the laws. Pat Zietlow Miller and Jerry Jordan do a great job describing and depicting the emotions and determination of John and his friends and those who opposed changing the laws in a way definitely suited for the younger readers - "people didn't even pretend to be nice. They yelled terrible things. Or hit, kicked, and spit at John and his friends. Even that didn't stop John."
Text © Pat Zietlow Miller, 2025. Image © Jerry Jordan, 2025.
The title perfectly captures the essence of this determined man who fought against unfairness despite being injured, hospitalized, and arrested multiple times. Unstoppable, he refused to back down. And "slowly, slowly, the laws changed." Opposite four smaller panels, showing John and his friends happily enjoying restaurants, movies, buses, and voting (the back "bookend" to the fight against unfair laws), is a half-page spread of a black woman getting a public library card. The ending does a great job of showing how books, learning, and some special library cards played a key role throughout the entirety of John Lewis's life. Detailed back matter goes into greater depth on the Civil Rights movement and John Lewis's role as a leader and advocate for change.
Resources:
© Paula Beardell Krieg
Make your own book and write a story, make a graphic comic, or draw images about an unfair rule and real or imagined ways to fix it.
Can you think of an unfair rule? Why is it unfair? What could you do to try and change it?
How do you feel about books? Why was it so important for John to get a library card? What can you check out at a library these days? [movies, music, a parks pass,...]
Should everyone be able to read books? Why do you think people try to ban books?
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