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History in the Making - Civil Rights (Kids)

Explore these nonfiction materials to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement.

The civil rights movement for kids: a history with 21 activities by Mary Turck

Surprisingly, kids were some of the key instigators in the Civil Rights Movement, like Barbara Johns, who held a rally in her elementary school gym that eventually led to the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court school desegregation decision, and six-year-old Ruby Bridges, who was the first black student to desegregate elementary schools in New Orleans. In The Civil Rights Movement for Kids, children will discover how students and religious leaders worked together to demand the protection of civil rights for black Americans. They will relive the fear and uncertainty of Freedom Summer and learn how northern white college students helped bring national attention to atrocities committed in the name of segregation, and they'll be inspired by the speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar Evers, and Malcolm X. Activities include: reenacting a lunch counter sit-in; organizing a workshop on nonviolence; holding a freedom film festival followed by a discussion; and organizing a choral group to sing the songs that motivated the foot soldiers in this war for rights

The youngest marcher : the story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a young civil rights activist by Cynthia Levinson

Nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks intended to go places and do things like anybody else. So when she heard grown-ups talk about wiping out Birmingham’s segregation laws, she spoke up. As she listened to the preacher’s words, smooth as glass, she sat up tall. And when she heard the plan—picket those white stores! March to protest those unfair laws! Fill the jails!—she stepped right up and said, I’ll do it! She was going to j-a-a-il! Audrey Faye Hendricks was confident and bold and brave as can be, and hers is the remarkable and inspiring story of one child’s role in the Civil Rights Movement.

The teachers march! : how Selma's teachers changed history by Sandra Neil Wallace

"Reverend F.D. Reese was a leader of the Voting Rights Movement in Selma, Alabama. As a teacher and principal, he recognized that his colleagues were viewed with great respect in the city. Could he convince them to risk their jobs--and perhaps their lives--by organizing a teachers-only march to the county courthouse to demand their right to vote? On January 22, 1965, the Black teachers left their classrooms and did just that, with Reverend Reese leading the way. Noted nonfiction authors Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace conducted the last interviews with Reverend Reese before his death in 2018 and interviewed several teachers and their family members in order to tell this story, which is especially important today"--Amazon

Suffragette : the battle for equality by David Roberts

Traces the history of the women's suffrage movement in the United States and United Kingdom, describing important milestones and the contributions of such key figures as Millicent Garrett Fawcett, Susan B. Anthony, and Sojourner Truth.

Peaceful fights for equal rights by Rob Sanders

"In Knit a Hat, Take a Knee, young readers are taken through their #resistance ABCs. Through lyrically sparse writing, Rob Sanders introduces abstract concepts like "fighting for what you believe in" and turns them into something actionable"--

A ride to remember : a civil rights story by Sharon Langley

"When Sharon Langley was born, amusement parks were segregated, and African American families were not allowed in. This picture book tells how a community came together--both black and white--to make a change. In the summer of 1963, because of demonstrations and public protests the Gwynn Oak Amusement Park in Maryland became desegregated and opened to all for the first time. Sharon and her parents were the first African American family to walk into the park, and Sharon was the first African American childto ride the merry-go-round. This was on the same day of Martin Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Sharon's ride to remember demonstrated the possibilities of King's dream ... The carrousel, fully functional, now resides on the National Mall, near the Air and Space Museum."--Provided by publisher.

Voice of freedom : Fannie Lou Hamer, spirit of the civil rights movement by Carole Boston Weatherford

Presents a collage-illustrated treasury of poems and spirituals inspired by the life and work of civil rights advocate Fannie Lou Hamer.

Nina : Jazz Legend and Civil-Rights Activist Nina Simone by Alice Brière-Haquet

With evocative black-and-white illustrations and moving prose, readers are introduced to Nina Simone, jazz-music legend and civil-rights activist. Shared as a lullaby to her daughter, a soulful song recounts Simone's career, the trials she faced as an African American woman, and the stand she took during the Civil Rights Movement. This poignant picture book offers a melodic tale that is both a historic account of an iconic figure and an extraordinary look at how far we've come and how far we still need togo for social justice and equality. A timeless and timely message aptly appropriate for today's social and political climates.

The power of her pen : the story of groundbreaking journalist Ethel L. Payne by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Recounts the life of the groundbreaking journalist, who combined advocacy with journalism as she reported on such events as American domestic politics, the Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Thurgood by Jonah Winter

"Before Rosa Parks, before Martin Luther King Jr., before the civil rights movement there was Thurgood, fighting for African Americans - and winning. Here is the powerful story of the trailblazer who proved that separate is not equal." --Provided by Publisher.

A place to land : Martin Luther King Jr. and the speech that inspired a nation by Barry Wittenstein

"The true story behind the writing of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech."--Provided by publisher.

Child of the dream : a memoir of 1963 by Sharon Robinson

"In January of 1963, Sharon Robinson turned thirteen the night before George Wallace declared on national television 'segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever' in his inauguration for governor of Alabama. That was the start of a year that would become one of the most pivotal years in the history of America. As the daughter of Jackie Robinson, Sharon had incredible access to some of the most important events of the era, including her family hosting several fundraisers for Martin Luther King Jr. at their home in Connecticut, other Civil Rights heroes of the day calling Jackie Robinson for advice and support, and even attending the March on Washington for Freedom and Jobs. But Sharon was also dealing with her own personal problems like going through puberty, being one of the only black children in her wealthy Connecticut neighborhood, and figuring out her own role in the fight for equality. This memoir follows Sharon as she goes through that incredible year of her life"--

I am brave : a little book about Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer

Uses Martin Luther King's life to teach young readers to be brave in the face of adversity.

Dream march : Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the March on Washington by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

An inspiring biography introducing children to the civil rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the historic march on Washington. Young readers can now learn about one of the greatest civil rights leaders of all time, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in this Level 3 Step into Reading Biography Reader. Set against Dr. King’s historic march on Washington in the summer of 1963, a moving story and powerful illustrations combine to illuminate not only one of America’s most celebrated leaders, but also one of America’s most celebrated moments

Marching for freedom : walk together, children, and don't you grow weary by Elizabeth Partridge

An examination of the landmark march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this book focuses on the children who faced terrifying violence in order to walk alongside him in their fight for freedom and the right to vote

Freedom on the menu : the Greensboro sit-ins by Carole Boston Weatherford

The 1960 civil rights sit-ins at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, are seen through the eyes of a young Southern black girl.

A girl named Rosa : The True Story of Rosa Parks by Denise Lewis Patrick

The A Girl Named series tells the stories of how ordinary American girls grew up to be extraordinary American women. Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in 1955, but how did she come to be so brave? A Girl Named Rosa describes the defining moments that made up her childhood and adolescence with full-color illustrations throughout. In addition to stories and facts about Rosa's upbringing and accomplishments, the book includes a timeline and a glossary, plus a profile of a noteworthy and contemporary American girl following in Rosa's monumental footsteps to stand up for equal rights, even in the face of adversity.

The Civil rights movement by Nancy Ohlin

"When people think about the Civil Rights Movement, things like segregation and protests may come to mind. But what was the campaign all about, and what social changes did it bring? This engaging nonfiction book, complete with black-and-white interior illustrations, will make readers feel like they've traveled back in time. Discover everything from Jim Crow laws to major milestones like Brown v. Board of Education, the Civil Rights Act, and more. Find out interesting, little-known facts such as how Rosa Parks was not the first to refuse to give up her seat on a bus and how most of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech was improvised. The unique details along with the clever and humorous interior illustrations make this series stand out fromthe competition."--Provided by publisher.

No voice too small : fourteen young Americans making history

Joseph Bruchac, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, and others present poems about young activists who have stepped up to make changes in their community and in the United States.

Strange fruit : Billie Holiday and the power of a protest song by Gary Golio

"Silence. That was the response at Cafe Society the first time Billie Holiday performed a song called "Strange Fruit." In the 1930s, Billie was known as a performer of jazz and blues music, but this song wasn't either of those things. It was a song about injustice, and it would change her life forever. Discover how two outsiders- Billie Holiday, a young black woman raised in poverty, and Abel Meeropol, the son of Jewish immigrants- combined their talents to create a song that challenged racism and paved the way for the civil rights movement."--Inside book cover.

The Selma marches for civil rights : we shall overcome by Steven Otfinoski

"Vivid storytelling and authentic dialogue bring American history to life and place readers in the shoes of ten people who experienced one of the most pivotal moments of the Civil Rights Movement - the marches from Selma to Montgomery. In March 1965 nonviolent activists, led by Martin Luther King Jr., began a series of marches in Alabama. They faced brutal resistance as they struggled for voting rights for African-Americans in the South and across the nation. Suspenseful, dramatic events unfold in chronological, interwoven stories from the different perspectives of people who experienced the event while it was happening"--

The Underground Railroad by Bonnie Bader

An introduction to the Underground Railroad shares the real-life experiences of those who participated in the railroad, along with the story of escaped slave and American Girl Addy.

Sit-in : how four friends stood up by sitting down by Andrea Davis Pinkney

A celebration of the momentous Woolworth's lunch counter sit-in when four college students staged a peaceful protest that became a defining moment in the struggle for racial equality and the growing Civil Rights Movement

Martin Luther King Jr. : Civil Rights Leader and American Hero by Hugh Roome

Fact-filled Rookie Read-About Biographies introduce the youngest readers to influential women and men, both past and present. Colorful photos and age appropriate text encourage children to read on their own-as they learn about people like Serena Williams, Neil Armstrong, Rosa Parks, Anne Frank and many more.

History kids . From Selma to Montgomery, marching with Martin Luther King, Jr

Discover what led to the civil rights protests in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. What were the events of Bloody Sunday? What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do in its aftermath? How did the official march from Selma to Montgomery on March 21, 1965 unfold? What were the effects of this march? The answers are covered in depth with detailed graphics, diagrams, and historic video. On-screen, multiple-choice reviews at the end of each segment reinforce important concepts

Harriet Tubman : conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry

Recounts Harriet Tubman's daring escape from slavery and her heroic efforts that brought three hundred African Americans to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

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