I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This is a solid overview of the fight for Civil Rights for Black people in the mid-20th century, a topic many are under-educated and misinformed about. I liked how it gave an overview of a mix of people, from prominent people, like Martin Luther King, Jr, and Rosa Parks, to lesser known figures like Septima Clark. As an overview, it works, prompting readers to dig deeper, although especially where certain figures like Clark have been in the shadows, it may have been more beneficial for them to be in the spotlight more, and not share it with the usual suspects, especially when it results in the book feeling rather rushed. However, it’s a solid intro to the topic, nonetheless, and will hopefully inspire people to explore more.

Septima Clark, Esau Jenkins, Myles Horton, and Bernice Robinson should not be unfamiliar names given their importance in the Civil Rights movement and their Citizenship schools but they, sadly might well be. No more. Weiss has written a timely and well researched history of their critical contributions. Yes. this may seem to be dense sometimes but it's a mark of how well Weiss writes and how compelling the subject that I kept turning the pages as though this was a thriller. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Fascinating.

4 stars rounded up from 3.5, this was a very information heavy book which is fantastic. I learned more about the civil rights voting act and a lot of things I didn’t know about. It got a little overwhelming at times and I had to take a couple breaks, the south in the 1950s and 1960s was not kind (and lets be honest could still use some improvement today) but the retaliation Black citizens faced just for registering or trying to register to vote was sickening and heartbreaking.

The amazing story of how the Civil Rights Movement began in the classrooms across the nation before and after Brown vs. The Board of Education.

Spell Freedom unravels like a novel, with Elaine Weiss taking us on a journey through the birth of the Civil Rights moment with a relatively unknown story. As the world changes daily and events unfold around us at a rapid pace, this is a reminder that a committed group of individuals can change the course of history.

This should be a must-read for anyone interested in politics, history, the Civil Rights movement, or humanity in general.

Elaine Weiss’s Spell Freedom is a powerful, meticulously researched account of the unsung heroes who helped lay the foundation for the Civil Rights Movement— through literacy, education, and quiet defiance.

Focusing on Septima Clark, Esau Jenkins, Myles Horton, and Bernice Robinson, Weiss brings to life a movement that often exists in the margins of history books. The Citizenship Schools they built weren’t just about teaching Black Americans how to read and write; they were a lifeline—empowering people to pass literacy tests, navigate voter registration barriers, and claim their rightful place in American democracy.

Through vivid storytelling, Weiss transports readers to the Highlander Folk School, where these activists gathered in the 1950s to launch their ambitious, covert education network. The book meticulously details how their work spread across the South, defying segregationist laws and systemic racism at great personal risk. It’s impossible not to feel the tension as they operate under constant threat—because literacy, in Jim Crow America, was more than just knowledge; it was power.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its focus on the people, not just the politics. While figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and John Lewis appear, Spell Freedom shines brightest when it gives voice to those often overlooked in the broader Civil Rights narrative. Clark’s relentless determination, Robinson’s ingenuity, and Jenkins’s deep-rooted community organizing make for a compelling, deeply human story.

Weiss also draws fascinating connections between the Civil Rights Movement and the rise of folk music as a form of protest, illustrating how songs became rallying cries and tools of resistance. This cultural dimension adds another layer to the book, making it a rich, immersive read.

Dense with historical detail yet deeply engaging, Spell Freedom is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the grassroots power of the Civil Rights Movement. It’s a story of courage, defiance, and the belief that literacy is not just a skill—it’s a weapon against oppression.

Spell Freedom is as riveting as it is necessary, an overdue tribute to the educators, organizers, and everyday people who risked everything to ensure that the right to vote was not just a dream, but a reality. For readers of Hidden Figures and Devil in the Grove, this is an unforgettable and timely read. #atria #spellfreedom #elaineweiss

This was a dense, informative novel about some of the lesser known players in the civil rights movement as Brown vs. Board of Education was passed, but struggled to be fully implemented. I find myself drawn to books about the Civil Rights movement because I feel like we can only move forward if we learn from our past. This will appeal to anyone who really is interested in the history and nuances.

The book is dense, and uncovers a history that many have never heard. The narration is anchored by Septima Clark, a Black history hero that deserves way more recognition! Bernice Robinson and Esau Jenkins, her protegees who went on to develop community programs and change so many lives, also deserve a place in history.

The Highland School was such a utopia, it sounds like, and I am inspired by the hope and hard work that went into this institution. I was also inspired to read how it went on to ignite more schools that helped adults, at a time when history focuses on schools designed for children. As the book continues through the Civil Rights movement, there are connections to the burgeoning folk music movement and folk music as a protest, in the vein of Woody Guthrie's music.

I learned so much from this important book, and hope it gets the recognition, along with the key players in it, that it deserves.

There are names frpm the civil rights movement we are familiar with...MLK, Andrew Young, John Lewis, and Rosa Parks, But there is a longer list of little/un-knowns who sparked a movement through the south bbringing not just the rights blacks were hungry for, but raised the hopes, dreams, confidence, and ambitions by teaching them how to write their names and to read. If you are unfamiliar with the names of Septima Clark, Esau Jenkins, Myles Horton, Guy Carawan, and many others, you are missing some important and inspiring work by those who bored the scars of segregation yet continued to stand for what the believed in, and knew was theirs...the rights and protections bestowed upon ALL people.

"Spell Freedom" is a timely and crucial read, especially in light of recent challenges. It tells the inspiring story of four activists who fought for Black voting rights in the Jim Crow South, launching the secret Citizenship Schools that empowered thousands to overcome discriminatory literacy tests. Their struggle resonates deeply today, reminding us of the ongoing fight to protect and expand voting access for all. A must-read about the unsung heroes who paved the way for change and whose legacy continues to inspire.