Race Against Time

The Untold Story of Scipio Jones and the Battle to Save Twelve Innocent Men

By: Rich Wallace, Sandra Neil Wallace

Narrated by: James Shippy

ALA Notable Book

NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book

Finalist, Jane Addams Children’s Book Award

Junior Library Guild Selection

Chicago Public Library Best Informational Book for Older Readers

An Evanston Public Library 101 Great Books for Kids

In this key civil rights and social justice book for young listeners, Scipio Africanus Jones—a self-taught attorney who was born enslaved—leads a momentous series of court cases to save twelve Black men who'd been unjustly sentenced to death.

In October 1919, a group of Black sharecroppers met at a church in an Arkansas village to organize a union. Bullets rained down on the meeting from outside. Many were killed by a white mob, and others were rounded up and arrested. Twelve of the sharecroppers were hastily tried and sentenced to death. Up stepped Scipio Africanus Jones, a self-taught lawyer who'd been born enslaved. Could he save the men's lives and set them free? Through their in-depth research and consultation with legal experts, award-winning nonfiction authors Sandra and Rich Wallace examine the complex proceedings and an unsung African American early civil rights hero.

©2022 Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace (P)2022 Recorded Books

History that can not be ignored

I am amazed by Attorney Scipio Jones.
He truly gave his all for the freedom & justice of the Elaine 12. I am saddened by the horrendous racism that permeated the USA during those times and I know that we always have to fight against the evils of racism even today. One person can truly make a world of difference.