Black History & Civil Rights

For many, the civil rights movement brings to mind the turbulent events of the 1950s and '60s—sit-ins, boycotts, freedom rides, voter registration drives, nonviolent protest, and even needless deaths—that arose as African Americans struggled to attain their civil rights. Many books written before the late 1980s tended to focus on these well-publicized events. By the early 1990s, however, we began to see more books that took into account historical roots beginning from the period of Reconstruction after the Civil War.

While much of the struggle for civil rights took place in the South where conditions were at their worst, racism and segregation also existed in the North. In fact, the focus and nature of the civil rights movement shifted somewhat in 1965 to address economic and social issues facing African Americans living in northern states. New leadership and views gained attention with the emergence of Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael, the Black Panthers, Black Power, and Black Nationalism. Then in 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated, and the civil rights movement lost its most visible, respected and charismatic leader, perhaps leading some to believe that the civil rights movement had ended. However, many believe the struggle continues, given ongoing economic, social, and educational disparities along with complaints of racial profiling, police brutality, and harsher prison sentences involving African Americans.

The books chosen here present a broad, chronological examination of the issue from the end of the Civil War to the present. Most titles obviously fall into the nonfiction category, but a few picture books are included to give younger readers a sense of what living in a segregated society was like while the fiction choices examine events related to the movement. All of the selections reveal what America and Americans of all races have accomplished and continue to accomplish in our challenge to guarantee true equality and justice for all. —Mary N. Oluonye

Fiction

BATTLE-LAVERT, Gwendolyn. Papa's Mark. illus. by Colin Bootman. Holiday House. 2004.
Gr 1-4–Told through the voice of a young African-American boy, this engaging story about family, courage, and conviction opens with a panoramic painting of a sleepy southern town where, for the first time, African-American men are allowed to vote, although not without opposition. Despite fear, Simms's father is determined to learn to write his name to cast his vote, and with his son's help, he does. An "Author's Note" includes a discussion of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments, and the African-American right to vote.

MCKISSACK, Patricia C. Goin' Someplace Special. illus. by Jerry Pinkney. S & S/Atheneum/An Anne Schwartz Bk. 2001.
K-Gr 5–Tricia Ann is excited about going someplace special all by herself. Her grandmother's parting words are, "And no matter what,… hold yo' head up and act like you b'long to somebody." But it is the Jim Crow South, and the child encounters several humiliating situations involving segregation along the way to that special place–the public library–where, fortunately, all are welcome. Expressive watercolor illustrations spilling over double pages flawlessly capture Tricia Ann's emotions and the atmosphere of a 1950s southern city.

PINKNEY, Andrea Davis. Fishing Day. illus. by Shane W. Evans. Hyperion/Jump at the Sun. 2003.
K-Gr 4–Reenie and her mom, who are black, love to fish from the banks of the aptly named Jim Crow River. Peter and his dad, who are white, fish there, too. The families never speak to one another. While Reenie and her mother catch fish, father and son have no luck, so Reenie decides to help Peter when they have a moment alone. Expressive illustrations transform Pinkney's words into powerful visual images. A heartwarming story that ends on a hopeful note.

WILES, Deborah. Freedom Summer. illus. by Jerome Lagarrigue. S & S/Atheneum/An Anne Schwartz Bk. 2001.
K-Gr 3–Joe is white and John Henry is black. When a new law is passed opening the pool to everyone, the two friends race there only to find it filled with asphalt. Bitter and disappointed, they enter a store together, arms around one another's shoulders. Cool, shady illustrations convey friendship, hot summer days, and the reality of segregation.

WOODSON, Jacqueline. The Other Side. illus. by E. B. Lewis. Putnam. 2001
Gr 1-4–A fence separates Clover's black side of town from Annie's white side. Clover's mother has warned against climbing over it, but after watching Annie with no one to play with, she decides to make friends with her. Since they can't climb over the fence, the girls sit on it instead. Beautifully realistic and expressive watercolor illustrations complement the text.

Nonfiction

KALLEN, Stuart. The Civil Rights Movement. ABDO & Daughters. 2001.
Gr 4-6–This short, simple, first introduction highlights important events, personalities, and accomplishments. Significant people are profiled, beginning with the 1929 Stock Market crash and the effects of the ensuing Depression on African Americans and ending with the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1968. Captioned, black-and-white photographs enhance the text.

KENT, Deborah. The Freedom Riders
STEIN, R. Conrad. The Montgomery Bus Boycott
ea vol: Children's Press. 1993.
Gr 3-5–Supported by an excellent selection of photographs, these titles offer clear, concise introductions to segregation and the Jim Crow system of the South. Kent presents a riveting account of the freedom rides and riders of 1961 as they attempted to uphold a federal court decision banning segregation on buses and bus facilities. Stein focuses on Rosa Park's defiance when she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger and the subsequent one-year bus boycott.

MCLEESE, Don. Rosa Parks Rourke. 2002.
Gr 1-4–With an average of four short sentences facing full-page, black-and-white photographs, this entry in the "Equal Rights Leaders" series offers a valuable introduction to the life and times of Rosa Parks. McLeese shows how she changed the course of history and became known as the "mother of the civil rights movement."

PINKNEY, Andrea Davis. Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters. illus. by Stephen Alcorn. Harcourt/Gulliver. 2000.
Gr 3-5–These stories celebrate the conviction, courage, accomplishments, and triumphs of 10 women who faced slavery, segregation, discrimination, and danger. Sojourner Truth, Biddy Mason, Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Mary McLeod Bethune, Ella Josephine Baker, Dorothy Irene Height, Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Shirley Chisholm are highlighted. Taken together, their experiences trace the challenges and achievements of the civil rights movement from the 18th century to the present. Poignant, full-page allegorical paintings introduce each woman.

RINGGOLD, Faith. If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks. illus. by author. S & S. 1999.
K-Gr 3–In this unusual but entertaining biography, a talking bus relates the story of Rosa Parks to a young passenger. It happens to be February 4, Rosa Parks's birthday, and the heroine of the civil rights movement eventually boards the bus herself. Other passengers include Mrs. Parks's husband, E.D. Nixon, an organizer of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and Martin Luther King, Jr., and they all wish her a happy birthday and thank her for everything she has done. Ringgold's characteristic folk-art illustrations are notably masterful.

WELCH, Catherine A. Children of the Civil Rights EraCarolrhoda. 2001.
Gr 3-5–This volume chronicles the involvement of African-American youth, some as young as nine years old, in the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s. An engaging text along with the words of the young people themselves and an abundance of black-and-white photographs capture the symbols and images of a segregated society fraught with inequality and violence. A "Note to Teachers and Adults" provides several excellent activities that relate to the exploration of civil rights and incorporate the material presented.

Fiction

ARMISTEAD, John. The Return of GabrielMilkweed. 2002.
Gr 8 Up–This story of 13-year-old best friends, Cooper (white) and Jubal (black), unfolds against the backdrop of 1964 Mississippi. Realistic, riveting, and fast paced, it's a suspenseful novel of friendship, family, courage, hatred, and danger.

DAVIS, Ossie. Just Like Martin S & S. 1992.
Gr 5-8–Fourteen-year-old Isaac Stone wants to be just like Martin Luther King, Jr. However, his father, a bitter Korean War veteran, believes that nonviolent protest is cowardly. Events unfold that test the teen's commitment, including the bombing of a church that kills two friends. Eventually, the assassination of President Kennedy prompts Isaac's father to share his dark war memories and accept his son's dedication to peaceful protest. Told through the eyes of an adolescent, this moving story demonstrates the conviction and courage of children in the face of bigotry and violence.

HOOBLER, Dorothy & Tom Hoobler. The 1960s: Rebels Millbrook. 2001.
Gr 5-6–The rebels in question are Chuck, who stands up for student rights at his boarding school in Pennsylvania, and Sojie, who, with her mother, participates in lunch-counter demonstrations in Georgia. The stories unfold independently of one another. Black-and-white photographs from the era enhance this fictional account.

MCKISSACK, Patricia C. Color Me Dark: The Diary of Nellie Lee Love, the Great Migration North– Chicago, Illinois, 1919 Scholastic. 2000.
Gr 5-7–Large numbers of African Americans migrated north to escape the intimidation, oppression, and violence of the Jim Crow south. Told through an 11-year-old girl's diary entries, this story tells of one family's decision to go to Chicago. While they encounter opportunity and hope, they also experience disappointment when they realize that racial hatred and discrimination also exist in the north. A concluding note explains the history of the African-American migration including motivating factors.

Nonfiction

BRIDGES, Ruby. Through My Eyes. Scholastic. 1999.
Gr 4-7–Despite the 1954 Supreme Court ruling ordering the end of "separate but equal" education, Louisiana schools remained segregated until 1960 when Ruby Bridges, then six years old, was one of the few African-American children to integrate schools. Escorted by federal marshals, she entered the William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, amid racist jeers and threats. Her perceptions of that school year are supported by numerous photographs and sidebars that include excerpts from newspapers and magazines and comments by Ruby's mother, her first grade teacher, and child psychiatrist Robert Coles.

COLBERT, Jan & Ann McMillan Harms, eds. Dear Dr. King: Letters from Today's Children to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Hyperion. 1998.
Gr 5-8–A collaborative effort of the editors, Memphis school principals, teachers, parents, and school children produced this book. Students were asked to write letters to Dr. King, asking him questions or telling him about themselves and their hopes and fears. Children ranging in age from 6 to 13 responded, and the result is a heartwarming, heart wrenching, funny, and insightful series of letters that serves as a tribute to the lasting legacy and impact of Dr. King on the lives of children of all races and backgrounds.

FREEDMAN, Russell. The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights. Clarion. 2004.
Gr 5-9–When Anderson was barred from performing at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC, supporters sought another venue. The singer's celebrated performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and the personal journey that led to that historic moment are examined within the larger social context of the times. In a voice that is straightforward but unmistakably passionate, Freedman describes Anderson's determination to hone her craft and follow her heart amid the challenges and limitations of racial discrimination. Black-and-white photos appear throughout.

FREMON, David K. The Jim Crow Laws and Racism in American History Enslow. 2000.
Gr 5-9–This volume presents an overview of the legal and political ramifications of the laws that were specifically designed to restrict and oppress African Americans living in the South. The strategies that African-American leaders employed to combat Jim Crow and racism are included. Specific topics include black codes, Reconstruction, the Ku Klux Klan, Booker T. Washington, W. E. B. DuBois, the formation of the NAACP, and the migration of African Americans. Quotations from primary sources, excerpts from documents, black-and-white photographs, and a few drawings complement the text.

GANERI, Anita & Nicola Barber. Martin Luther King, Jr.: From Minister to Civil Rights Leader. Raintree. 2003.
Gr 6-8–Simply written, this biography discusses the influences of faith and Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolent resistance on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s leadership. Most of the book covers the years 1954-1968. Text arranged in double columns, numerous full-page photographs, and sidebars make this an attractive, easy-to-read book.

RITCHIE, Nigel. The Civil Rights Movement Barron's. 2003.
Gr 5-8–An entry in the "Lives in Crisis" series, which chronicles momentous historical events and movements, this volume covers the segregation and racism that African Americans endured as a fact of daily life before and during the 1950s and 1960s. An overview of the movement illustrates how nonviolent protest forced the government to change laws. Ongoing civil rights issues such as poverty, racial profiling, and police brutality are also discussed. Numerous black-and-white and some color photographs are included.

TURCK, Mary C. The Civil Rights Movement for Kids: A History with 21 Activities. Chicago Review. 2000.
Gr 5-8–A brief introduction that defines and explains prejudice and racism is followed by 10 chapters covering key aspects of the civil rights movement including the Montgomery bus boycott, freedom summer, and profiles of significant leaders. An appealing format features numerous photographs, sidebars, and boxed text that highlights key words, concepts, and additional resources. Twenty-one suggested activities, such as the reenactment of a sit-in and a freedom feast complete with recipes, make this a unique resource for parents and educators.

VENABLE, Rose. The Civil Rights Movement The Child's World. 2001.
Gr 4-8–This attractively designed volume begins with a discussion of the birth and evolution of the movement and explains key concepts in context. While the ideas are sometimes complex, the explanations are concise without being overwhelming. Going beyond the deaths of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers, this book also includes information about Black Power and the Black Panthers, and their views and strategies for achieving equal rights.

Nonfiction

DUNN, John M. The Civil Rights Movement Gale/Lucent. 1997.
Gr 8 Up–This solid overview begins with a brief mention of slavery followed by the major events and personalities of the civil rights movement from the end of slavery to the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. Dunn addresses the legacy of the movement, as well as lingering and troubling racial issues such as affirmative action, the Rodney King case and police brutality, and the racial divide over the O. J. Simpson trial. Further insight is provided in boxed excerpts of speeches, essays, televised presidential addresses, and eyewitness accounts.

FINLAYSON, Reggie. We Shall Overcome: The History of the American Civil Rights Movement. Lerner. 2002.
Gr 7-10–Written with a journalistic slant, and relying heavily on documents and quotes by witnesses and participants, Finlayson presents a riveting, succinct account of the civil rights movement. Incorporating information not usually found in similar books, he includes a dramatic retelling of an incident that occurred when police, carrying flashlights, guns, and billy clubs, entered a high school where students had gathered to talk about ending segregation. Confronted, the students began to sing "We Shall Overcome," changing the lyrics to "We Are Not Afraid." The police, unnerved, backed down and left.

KRONENWETTER, Michael. America in the 1960s Gale/Lucent. 1998.
Gr 8-10–A good overview of the stormy decade of the 1960s, this volume gives readers a sense of the major historic, often tumultuous changes taking place in America during that time. The civil rights struggle is included, as are the Kennedy presidency, rock and roll, the cold war, the space race, the Vietnam War, student protests, the war on poverty, and the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert Kennedy.

LEVINE, Ellen. Freedom's Children: Young Civil Rights Activists Tell Their Own Stories. Putnam. 1993.
Gr 9 Up–Based on interviews of 30 individuals who were children and teenagers during the 1950s and '60s in Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas, this book shows what it was like to participate in the protest marches, boycotts, sit-ins, integration of schools, arrests, and violence of the civil rights struggle.

MCKISSACK, Patricia C. & Fredrick L. McKissack. The Civil Rights Movement in America from 1865 to the Present. Children's Press. 1991.
Gr 9 Up–This is one of the more comprehensive books about civil rights for young adults. Divided into three parts, it examines 120 years of history using a series of time lines from 1865 to 1990. A brief discussion of the struggles of Native Americans, Asians, Hispanics, women, immigrants, the handicapped, and children is included.

THOMAS, Joyce Carol, ed. Linda Brown, You Are Not Alone: The Brown v. Board of Education Decision. illus. by Curtis James. Hyperion/Jump at the Sun. 2003.
Gr 8 Up–Thomas brings together 10 accomplished children's writers who were young people in 1954. These authors, Jerry Spinelli, Eloise Greenfield, Lois Lowry, Quincy Troupe, Katherine Paterson, Michael Cart, Ishmael Reed, Jean Craighead George, Leona Nicholas Welch, and Thomas, present their personal experiences and recollections of that time in the form of stories, reflections, and poetry. James's evocative and realistic illustrations expertly interpret each writer's theme.

TREANOR, Nick, ed. The Civil Rights Movement Gale/Greenhaven. 2003.
Gr 10 Up–Presenting thoughts of both supporters and critics, this book chronicles the civil rights movement from 1865 to 1999 through a variety of informational sources including book excerpts, reprints of newspaper and magazine articles, reports, and speeches.