Books To Guide

A Selection of Books To Guide Your Discussions around social Justice and Black Lives Matter

Tough conversations with children are ahead of us. My heart goes out to you all as you work through these difficult times with your students and families. Perhaps a book can help get some important conversations started.

Warmly,

Amy Page

Book list courtesy of Molly Sloan, Librarian, Portland Jewish academy

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“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” -Martin Luther King Jr.

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Recommendations for

Kindergarten -2nd Graders

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

There will be times when you walk into a room

and no one there is quite like you.

There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.

Jacqueline Woodson's lyrical text and Rafael LÓpez's dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.

Where are you From by Yamile Saied Mendez

A young girl has been asked where she is from--where she is really from--so many times that she is not sure any longer. She turns to her beloved abuelo, her grandfather, to ask him for help answering this persistent question. In the end, abuelo and the young girl decide that home, love, and family are where they are from.

Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus

Eloquent text combined with expressive artwork from award-winning illustrator and "New York Times" bestseller Kadir Nelson create an inspiring celebration of America. Author Naberhaus expresses her deep love for the country that became her home after her family immigrated when she was four years old. With illustrations showcasing iconic images and the rich diversity of the U.S.A., Nelson and Naberhaus have created a book that will stir a sense of patriotism in the hearts of children and adults alike. "Each of Nelson's superb, often photo-realistic images capture the spirit and diversity of the United States, weaving together its people and symbols … It's hard to imagine a book better suited to this time" (BL)

Let The Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson

Under the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr., African American children and teenagers form the Children's Crusade and march for their civil rights and against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963. The children are attacked with fire hoses and dogs, and thousands are arrested, but their actions changed the country.

Viola Desmond Won’t Be Budged by Jody Nyasha Warner

Tells the story of Viola Desmond, an African Canadian woman who, in 1946, challenged a Nova Scotia movie theater's segregation policy by refusing to move from her seat to an upstairs section designated for use by blacks.

Preaching to the Chickens by Jabari Asim

John wants to be a preacher when he grows up--a leader whose words stir hearts to change, minds to think, and bodies to take action. But why wait? When John is put in charge of the family farm's flock of chickens, he discovers that they make a wonderful congregation! So he preaches to his flock, and they listen, content under his watchful care, riveted by the rhythm of his voice.

Celebrating ingenuity and dreaming big, this inspirational story, featuring Jabari Asim's stirring prose and E. B. Lewis's stunning, light-filled impressionistic watercolor paintings, includes an author's note about John Lewis, who grew up to be a member of the Freedom Riders, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and demonstrator on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. John Lewis is now a Georgia congressman, who is still an activist today, recently holding a sit-in on the House floor of the U.S. Capitol to try to force a vote on gun violence.

Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

Henry Brown doesn't know how old he is. Nobody keeps records of slaves' birthdays. All the time he dreams about freedom, but that dream seems farther away than ever when he is torn from his family and put to work in a warehouse. When Henry grows up and marries, he is again devastated when his family is sold at the slave market. Then one day, as he lifts a crate at the warehouse, he knows exactly what he must do: He will mail himself to the North. After an arduous journey in the crate, Henry finally has a birthday -- his first day of freedom.

Steamboat School by Deborah Hopkinson

At first, young James wants nothing to do with going to school in the basement of Reverend John's church, but he soon finds himself excited to attend class and learn to read. But when a law is passed in Missouri in 1847 forbidding black people from reading, Reverend John gets creative. He builds a steamboat and takes his school onto the Mississippi River, which is regulated by federal law, allowing the African American children to continue their education. “This fascinating story, illustrated in pen and ink with a color palette of browns and blacks with occasional pops of blue and red, draws readers into the historical era effectively ... An unforgettable story that needs to be known”

Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill

This picture book biography explores the life of a 19th-century slave named Dave, who lived and worked on a South Carolina farm and was both a potter and a poet. Simple, powerful sentences combine with the book's earth-toned illustrations to describe Dave's experiences and the environment he lived in, while bits of the text relate to some of the many poems he inscribed on his pots. As rural imagery abounds, illustrator Bryan Collier provides plenty to look at on every page; there are even hidden messages to be found by more observant readers. An author's note provides deeper insight into Dave's life, and a photograph showcases some of Dave's surviving works. “An inspiring story, perfectly presented and sure to prompt classroom discussion and projects. Outstanding in every way.”

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

Dreamers is a celebration of making your home with the things you always carry: your resilience, your dreams, your hopes and history. It's the story of finding your way in a new place, of navigating an unfamiliar world and finding the best parts of it. In dark times, it's a promise that you can make better tomorrows.

This lovingly-illustrated picture book memoir looks at the myriad gifts migrantes bring with them when they leave their homes. It's a story about family. And it's a story to remind us that we are all dreamers, bringing our own strengths wherever we roam. Beautiful and powerful at any time but given particular urgency as the status of our own Dreamers becomes uncertain, this is a story that is both topical and timeless.

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I Have A Dream illustrated by Kadir Nelson

On August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr., gave

one of the most powerful and memorable speeches in our nation's history. Now read and listen to his words, narrated with the audio recordings from his speech, paired with Caldecott Honor winner Kadir Nelson's magnificent paintings, in this picture book certain to be treasured by children and adults alike. The themes of equality and freedom for all are not only relevant today, 50 years later, but also provide young readers with an important introduction to our nation's past.

Something Happened in OUr Town by Marianne Celano

After discussing the police shooting of a local Black man with their families, Emma and Josh know how to treat a new student who looks and speaks differently than his classmates.

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yarmulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, they are welcome in their school.

Hands Up By Breanna J. McDaniel

A young black girl lifts her baby hands up to greet the sun, reaches her hands up for a book on a high shelf, and raises her hands up in praise at a church service. She stretches her hands up high like a plane's wings and whizzes down a hill so fast on her bike with her hands way up. As she grows, she lives through everyday moments of joy, love, and sadness. And when she gets a little older, she joins together with her family and her community in a protest march, where they lift their hands up together in resistance and strength.

The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson

Meet the youngest known child to be arrested for a civil rights protest in Birmingham, Alabama, 1963, in this moving picture book that proves you're never too little to make a difference.

Nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks intended to go places and do things like anybody else.

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.

Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin A. Ramsey

Ruth was so excited to take a trip in her family's new car! In the early 1950s, few African Americans could afford to buy cars, so this would be an adventure. But she soon found out that black travelers weren't treated very well in some towns. Many hotels and gas stations refused service to black people. Daddy was upset about something called Jim Crow laws...

Finally, a friendly attendant at a gas station showed Ruth's family The Green Book. It listed all of the places that would welcome black travelers. With this guidebook—and the kindness of strangers—Ruth could finally make a safe journey from Chicago to her grandma's house in Alabama.

Ruth's story is fiction, but The Green Book and its role in helping a generation of African American travelers avoid some of the indignities of Jim Crow are historical fact.

The Bell Rang by James E. Ransome

Every single morning, the overseer of the plantation rings the bell. Daddy gathers wood. Mama cooks. Ben and the other slaves go out to work. Each day is the same. Full of grueling work and sweltering heat. Every day, except one, when the bell rings and Ben is nowhere to be found. Because Ben ran. Yet, despite their fear and sadness, his family remains hopeful that maybe, just maybe, he made it North. That he is free.

An ode to hope and a powerful tribute to the courage of those who ran for freedom, The Bell Rang is a stunning reminder that our past can never be forgotten.

A Is For Activist by Innosanto Nagara

This bestselling ABC book is written and illustrated for the next generation of progressives: families who want their kids to grow up in a space that is unapologetic about activism, environmental justice, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, and everything else that activists believe in and fight for. A continuous bestseller for Triangle Square, we heard from booksellers around the country who clamored for a large format edition that would appeal to children over the age of 5. This engaging book carries huge messages as it inspires hope for the future, and calls children and parents to action.

A Kid’s Book About Racism By Jelani Memory

Speak Up by Miranda Paul

Join a diverse group of kids on a busy school day as they discover so many different ways to speak up and make their voices heard! From shouting out gratitude for a special treat to challenging a rule that isn’t fair, these young students show that simple, everyday actions can help people and make the world a better place.

To be released July 7, 2020

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

Every Sunday little CJ and his grandma take the public bus, the Market Street bus, across town. Before today it never occurred to CJ to ask why they don't have a car, like his friend Colby does. This opens a floodgate of questions about his own possessions compared to other people's, but his lovely grandma has a wise answer for each: they don't have a car because they have a bus! Who needs an iPod with live musicians on the street? And their dirtier part of town, compared with the clean areas, still has beauty in it. Author de la Pena's story “finds beauty in unexpected places [and] explores the difference between what's fleeting and what lasts.”

Lovely by Jess Hong

Big, small, curly, straight, loud, quiet, smooth, wrinkly. Lovely explores a world of differences that all add up to the same thing: we are all lovely!

Ways To Make Sunshine by Renee Watson

Ryan Hart has a lot on her mind--school, self-image, and especially family. Her dad finally has a new job, but money is tight. That means some changes, like selling their second car and moving into a new (old) house. But Ryan is a girl who knows how to make sunshine out of setbacks. As her brother says when he raps about her, she's got the talent that matters most: it's a talent that can't be seen, she's nice, not mean!

Ryan is all about trying to see the best in people, to be a good daughter, a good sister, a good friend. But even if her life isn't everything she would wish for, when her big brother is infuriating, her parents don't quite understand, and the unexpected happens, she always finds a way forward, with grace and wit. And plenty of sunshine.

Acclaimed author Renée Watson writes her own version of Ramona Quimby, one starring a Black girl and her family, in this start to a charming new series.

What Can A Citizen Do? By Dave Eggers

Rhyming text and cut-paper illustrations teach young readers how to be good citizens through a story of a diverse group of children--and a bear--who slowly transform a small island from a single tree into a bustling tree house community.

The Case for Loving by Selina Alko

Children may be surprised to learn that interracial marriage was illegal in nearly all U.S. states up until the second half of the last century. In 1958, Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter, a white man and a black woman, fell in love in Virginia, a state that outlawed interracial marriage. After traveling to Washington, D.C. to wed, they returned home only to be arrested and jailed. Refusing to let the state outlaw their marriage, the Lovings took the case to the Supreme Court, which ruled unanimously that restricting marriage based on race was unconstitutional. This book chronicles the injustice of past laws, offers a strong and positive message of acceptance and equality, and “just might inspire the next generation of young civil rights activists” (KIRK).

Recommendations For

3rd-5th Grade

Undefeated by Kwame Alexander

Undefeated is a poignant and powerful ode to the resilience and strength of black life and history in America. Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated in 2016, the poem adopts a picture book format with a new title, accompanied by stunning oil paintings in Nelson's trademark photorealistic style. The evocative illustrations stand out against stark white backgrounds and vary in their composition. On some spreads, the focus is on a single expressive portrait; others feature collages of African American icons from various disciplines, or refer to significant historical moments. The art functions in perfect harmony with the poet's spare, striking verse to electrify the Black American experience, and to celebrate black athletes, writers, musicians, activists, and heroes. From the unspeakable trauma of American slavery and the transatlantic slave trade to the brave service of black troops during the Civil War, from the fierce and unwavering fight for civil rights to the Black Lives Matter movement, from Selma to Birmingham to Harlem, this book is both a soaring tribute to the enduring perseverance and achievements of the past and a stirring call to action to "the dreamers and the doers" of the present and the future. Back matter includes an afterword from the author as well as additional information about the historical figures and events featured in the book. VERDICT Alexander and Nelson present an exceptionally moving and triumphant work. (School Library Journal Review)

Kid Activists by Robin Stevenson

Every activist started out as a kid--and in some cases they were kids when their activism began! But even the world's greatest champions of civil liberties had relatable interests and problems--often in the middle of extraordinary circumstances. Martin Luther King, Jr. loved fashion, and argued with his dad about whether or not dancing was a sin. Harvey Milk had a passion for listening to opera music in different languages. Dolores Huerta was once wrongly accused of plagiarizing in school. Kid Activists tells these childhood stories and more through kid-friendly texts and full-color cartoon illustrations on nearly every page.

Never Too Young by Aileen Weintraub

Profiles fifty inspiring children and teens from world history who have made a positive impact on their communities. Features musicians, writers, scientists, athletes, and activists who set a goal and achieved it. Includes color illustrations of the subjects.

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As Good As Anybody by Richard Michelson

MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel. Their names stand for the quest for justice and equality.Martin grew up in a loving family in the American South, at a time when this country was plagued by racial discrimination. He aimed to put a stop to it. He became a minister like his daddy, and he preached and marched for his cause.Abraham grew up in a loving family many years earlier, in a Europe that did not welcome Jews. He found a new home in America, where he became a respected rabbi like his father, carrying a message of peace and acceptance.Here is the story of two icons for social justice, how they formed a remarkable friendship and turned their personal experiences of discrimination into a message of love and equality for all.

Memphis, Martin and the Mountaintop by Alice Faye Duncan

In February 1968, two African American sanitation workers were killed by unsafe equipment in Memphis, Tennessee. Outraged at the city's refusal to recognize a labor union that would fight for higher pay and safer working conditions, sanitation workers went on strike. The strike lasted two months, during which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was called to help with the protests. While his presence was greatly inspiring to the community, this unfortunately would be his last stand for justice. He was assassinated in his Memphis hotel the day after delivering his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" sermon in Mason Temple Church. Inspired by the memories of a teacher who participated in the strike as a child, author Alice Faye Duncan reveals the story of the Memphis sanitation strike from the perspective of a young girl with a riveting combination of poetry and prose.

Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X by Ilyasah Shabazz

Malcolm X grew to be one of America's most influential figures. But first, he was a boy named Malcolm Little. Written by his daughter, this inspiring picture book biography celebrates a vision of freedom and justice.

Bolstered by the love and wisdom of his large, warm family, young Malcolm Little was a natural born leader. But when confronted with intolerance and a series of tragedies, Malcolm's optimism and faith were threatened. He had to learn how to be strong and how to hold on to his individuality. He had to learn self-reliance.

Together with acclaimed illustrator AG Ford, Ilyasah Shabazz gives us a unique glimpse into the childhood of her father, Malcolm X, with a lyrical story that carries a message that resonates still today--that we must all strive to live to our highest potential.

Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus and sparked a boycott that changed America. Harriet Tubman helped more than three hundred slaves escape the South on the Underground Railroad. Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

The lives these women led are part of an incredible story about courage in the face of oppression; about the challenges and triumphs of the battle for civil rights; and about speaking out for what you believe in--even when it feels like no one is listening. Andrea Davis Pinkney's moving text and Stephen Alcorn's glorious portraits celebrate the lives of ten bold women who lit the path to freedom for generations.

The Legendary Miss Lena Horne by Carole Boston Weatherford

Celebrate the life of Lena Horne, the pioneering African American actress and civil rights activist, with this inspiring and powerful picture book from award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford.

You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way.

Lena Horne was born into the freedom struggle, to a family of teachers and activists. Her mother dreamed of being an actress, so Lena followed in her footsteps as she chased small parts in vaudeville, living out of a suitcase until MGM offered Lena something more--the first ever studio contract for a black actress.

But the roles she was considered for were maids and mammies, stereotypes that Lena refused to play. Still, she never gave up. "Stormy Weather" became her theme song, and when she sang "This Little Light of Mine" at a civil rights rally, she found not only her voice, but her calling.

Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Defeated Army by Art Coulson

In the autumn of 1912, the football team from Carlisle Indian Industrial School took the field at the U.S. Military Academy, home to the bigger, stronger, and better-equipped West Points Cadets. Sportswriters billed the game as a sort of rematch, pitting against each other the descendants of U.S. soldiers and American Indians who fought on the battlefield only 20 years earlier. But for lightning-fast Jim Thorpe and the other Carlisle players, that day's game was about skill, strategy, and determination. Known for unusual formations and innovative plays, the Carlisle squad was out to prove just one thing -- that it was the best football team in all the land.

We Are The Change

Sixteen award-winning children's book artists illustrate the civil rights quotations that inspire them in this stirring and beautiful book. Featuring an introduction by Harry Belafonte, words from Eleanor Roosevelt, Maya Angelou, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. among others, this inspirational collection sets a powerful example for generations of young leaders to come. It includes illustrations by Selina Alko, Alina Chau, Lisa Congdon, Emily Hughes, Molly Idle, Juana Medina, Innosanto Nagara, Christopher Silas Neal, John Parra, Brian Pinkney, Greg Pizzoli, Sean Qualls, Dan Santat, Shadra Strickland, Melissa Sweet, and RaÚl the Third.

The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore

It's Christmas Eve in Harlem, but twelve-year-old Lolly Rachpaul and his mom aren't celebrating. They're still reeling from his older brother's death in a gang-related shooting just a few months earlier. Then Lolly's mother's girlfriend brings him a gift that will change everything: two enormous bags filled with Legos. Lolly's always loved Legos, and he prides himself on following the kit instructions exactly. Now, faced with a pile of building blocks and no instructions, Lolly must find his own way forward.

His path isn't clear--and the pressure to join a "crew," as his brother did, is always there. When Lolly and his friend are beaten up and robbed, joining a crew almost seems like the safe choice. But building a fantastical Lego city at the community center provides Lolly with an escape--and an unexpected bridge back to the world.

Stella by Starlight by Sharon Draper

After years of relative peace, the Ku Klux Klan returns to Bumblebee, North Carolina. Stella and her brother Jojo are out late one night when they see the white-robed figures burning a cross. Bumblebee's African American community is gripped with fear. They know that they are alone and must deal with this problem themselves. Stella sees all this, but she has a fiery spirit and refuses to give in to fear. Stella focuses on the good things like family, friends, potluck dinners in neighbors' backyards—and finally a peaceful march to a voting place, where three registered black voters make history. Author Draper's tale is “not sugar-coated but effective, with a trustworthy narrator who opens her heart and readers' eyes.”

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Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson

Weaving together "the nation's proudest moments with its most shameful" (PW), Nelson brings to light the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans despite the severe and often brutal racism they faced throughout history. This apt title shows the determined heart of individual Americans while singing the praises of liberty for all. Expressive oil paintings illuminate the faces of both common folk and important historical figures, including Frederick Douglass and Joe Louis. A grandmotherly voice narrates the African American's trajectory, evoking a powerful sense of shared story that goes far beyond a collection interesting facts.

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson

Adapting the 2001 picture book by author Jacqueline Woodson and illustrator E.B. Lewis, this story explores the nature of race relations in a town divided by color. For as long as they remember, Clover, a black girl, and Annie, a white girl, have been kept separate by the large fence they are never allowed to cross. Gradually, the girls begin interacting through the fence, first through simple conversations, and then by watching each other play. Finally, unable to understand the purpose of the fence, the girls climb up to the top and sit together. They quickly become friends, and the story ends on a high note when they begin to contemplate what would happen if "somebody knocks this old fence down." "A solid tale of friendship budding in an atmosphere of prejudice, this is recommended" (VL).

Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh

Eight years before the landmark U.S. Supreme Court Case “Brown v. Board of Education,” which found that the establishment of separate public schools for black and white students was unconstitutional, the Hispanic American Mendez family challenged the segregated California school system after their daughter Sylvia was denied entry to Westminster School due to her ethnicity. This lesser-known milestone case is brought to light in this unique picture book containing clear and concise text, additional details in the back matter and carefully rendered drawings saturated with color and collaged texture.

Young Water Protectors: A Story About Standing Rock by Aslan Tudor

A young boy--the author--relates the story of his experiences in North Dakota at the Oceti Sakowin Camp at Standing Rock to protest the building of the Dakota Access oil pipeline in 2016.

Not My Idea by Anastasia Higgenbotham

A young white child watches a news report of a white police officer shooting and killing a black man. The child's family refuses to answer the child's questions, so the child goes to the library to research racism in America and learns that racism is a white person's problem and about the evils of white supremacy.

Access the electronic version of this book for free through June 9th at this link.

Tight by Torrey Maldonado

Tight: Lately Bryan's been feeling it in all kinds of ways. He knows what's tight for him in a good way--reading comics, drawing superheroes, and hanging out with no drama. But drama's hard to escape where he's from, and that gets him wound up tight.

And now Bryan's new friend Mike is challenging him to have fun in ways that are crazy risky. At first, it's a rush following Mike, hopping turnstiles, subway surfing, and getting into all kinds of trouble. But Bryan never feels right acting wrong. So which way will he go when he understands that drama is so not his style? Fortunately his favorite comic heroes shed light on his dilemma, reminding him that he has power--the power to choose his friends and to stand up for what he believes is right . . .

This Promise of Change by Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy

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In 1956, one year before federal troops escorted the Little Rock 9 into Central High School, fourteen year old Jo Ann Allen was one of twelve African-American students who broke the color barrier and integrated Clinton High School in Tennessee. At first things went smoothly for the Clinton 12, but then outside agitators interfered, pitting the townspeople against one another. Uneasiness turned into anger, and even the Clinton Twelve themselves wondered if the easier thing to do would be to go back to their old school. Jo Ann--clear-eyed, practical, tolerant, and popular among both black and white students---found herself called on as the spokesperson of the group. But what about just being a regular teen? This is the heartbreaking and relatable story of her four months thrust into the national spotlight and as a trailblazer in history..

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement

by Carole Boston Weatherford

"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired."

Despite fierce prejudice and abuse, even being beaten to within an inch of her life, Fannie Lou Hamer was a champion of civil rights from the 1950s until her death in 1977. Integral to the Freedom Summer of 1964, Ms. Hamer gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention that, despite President Johnson's interference, aired on national TV news and spurred the nation to support the Freedom Democrats. Featuring vibrant mixed-media art full of intricate detail, Voice of Freedom celebrates Fannie Lou Hamer's life and legacy with a message of hope, determination, and strength.

Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America

by Carole Boston Weatherford

His white teacher tells her all-black class, You'll all wind up porters and waiters. What did she know? Gordon Parks is most famous for being the first black director in Hollywood. But before he made movies and wrote books, he was a poor African American looking for work. When he bought a camera, his life changed forever. He taught himself how to take pictures and before long, people noticed. His success as a fashion photographer landed him a job working for the government. In Washington DC, Gordon went looking for a subject, but what he found was segregation. He and others were treated differently because of the color of their skin. Gordon wanted to take a stand against the racism he observed. With his camera in hand, he found a way. Told through lyrical verse and atmospheric art, this is the story of how, with a single photograph, a self-taught artist got America to take notice.

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

Two girls separated by race form an unbreakable bond during the tumultuous integration of Little Rock schools in 1958

Twelve-year-old Marlee doesn't have many friends until she meets Liz, the new girl at school. Liz is bold and brave, and always knows the right thing to say, especially to Sally, the resident mean girl. Liz even helps Marlee overcome her greatest fear - speaking, which Marlee never does outside her family.

But then Liz is gone, replaced by the rumor that she was a Negro girl passing as white. But Marlee decides that doesn't matter. Liz is her best friend. And to stay friends, Marlee and Liz are willing to take on integration and the dangers their friendship could bring to both their families.

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Seventh grade African American boy Jordan Banks dutifully travels from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale private Riverdale Academy Day School. As one of the few kids of color in his new school, Jordan feels out of place. He doesn't really fit in with his new classmates, and it begins to feel like his neighborhood friends live in a different world. Jordan finds comfort in his art as he tries to navigate both worlds.

Keena Ford Series by Melissa Thomson

Keena Ford loves writing in her journal. She keeps all of her thoughts in there, even if they are sometimes not-so-nice. One day, Keena accidentally leaves her journal in Tiffany Harris's apartment, and Tiffany tells Keena that she's going to tell all of Keena's secrets! With help from her brother, some classic fables, and a visiting author, Keena discovers what she must do to stand up to Tiffany and make things right with her friends.

President of the Whole Fifth Grade by Sheri Winston

Start counting your votes . . . and your friends.

When Brianna Justice's hero, the famous celebrity chef Miss Delicious, speaks at her school and traces her own success back to being president of her fifth grade class, Brianna determines she must do the same. She just knows that becoming president of her class is the first step toward her own cupcake-baking empire!

But when new student Jasmine Moon announces she is also running for president, Brianna learns that she may have more competition than she expected. Will Brianna be able to stick to her plan of working with her friends to win the election fairly? Or will she jump at the opportunity to steal votes from Jasmine by revealing an embarrassing secret?

This hilarious, heartfelt novel will appeal to any reader with big dreams, and the determination to achieve them.

Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles

Friendship defies racism for two boys in this stirring story of the "Freedom Summer" that followed the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

John Henry swims better than anyone I know. He crawls like a catfish, blows bubbles like a swamp monster, but he doesn't swim in the town pool with me. He's not allowed.

Joe and John Henry are a lot alike. They both like shooting marbles, they both want to be firemen, and they both love to swim.But there's one important way they're different: Joe is white and John Henry is black, and in the South in 1964, that means John Henry isn't allowed to do everything his best friend is.Then a law is passed that forbids segregation and opens the town pool to everyone. Joe and John Henry are so excited they race each other there...only to discover that it takes more than a new law to change people's hearts.

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A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramee

All twelve-year-old Shayla wants to do is follow the rules, but when she starts seventh grade, the rules have changed. Her two best friends seem to be going their own ways and some people at school are saying that she's not black enough. After a ruling in a controversial court case involving the shooting of a black man by a white police officer, Shayla decides to join the Black Lives Matter movement and begins passing out black armbands at school. As the unrest in both Los Angeles and her school spreads, Shayla must figure out if some things are worth breaking the rules.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

Eleven-year-old Delphine has it together. Even though her mother, Cecile, abandoned her and her younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern, seven years ago. Even though her father and Big Ma will send them from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, to stay with Cecile for the summer. And even though Delphine will have to take care of her sisters, as usual, and learn the truth about the missing pieces of the past.

When the girls arrive in Oakland in the summer of 1968, Cecile wants nothing to do with them. She makes them eat Chinese takeout dinners, forbids them to enter her kitchen, and never explains the strange visitors with Afros and black berets who knock on her door. Rather than spend time with them, Cecile sends Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern to a summer camp sponsored by a revolutionary group, the Black Panthers, where the girls get a radical new education.

Set during one of the most tumultuous years in recent American history, one crazy summer is the heartbreaking, funny tale of three girls in search of the mother who abandoned them.

Mr. Lincoln’s Way by Patricia Polacco

Mr. Lincoln is the coolest principal ever! He knows how to do everything, from jumping rope to leading nature walks. Everyone loves him . . . except for Eugene Esterhause. "Mean Gene" hates everyone who's different. He's a bully, a bad student, and he calls people awful, racist names. But Mr. Lincoln knows that Eugene isn't really bad-he's just repeating things he's heard at home. Can the principal find a way to get through to "Mean Gene" and show him that the differences between people are what make them special?

Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds

This story was going to begin like all the best stories. With a school bus falling from the sky. But no one saw it happen. They were all too busy--

Talking about boogers., Stealing pocket change. Skateboarding. Wiping out. Braving up. Executing complicated handshakes. Planning an escape. Making jokes. Lotioning up. Finding comfort. But mostly, too busy walking home.

Jason Reynolds conjures ten tales (one per block) about what happens after the dismissal bell rings, and brilliantly weaves them into one wickedly funny, piercingly poignant look at the detours we face on the walk home, and in life.

Only Black Girls In Town by Brandy Colbert

Beach-loving surfer Alberta has been the only black girl in town for years. Alberta's best friend, Laramie, is the closest thing she has to a sister, but there are some things even Laramie can't understand. When the bed and breakfast across the street finds new owners, Alberta is ecstatic to learn the family is black-and they have a 12-year-old daughter just like her.

Alberta is positive she and the new girl, Edie, will be fast friends. But while Alberta loves being a California girl, Edie misses her native Brooklyn and finds it hard to adapt to small-town living.

When the girls discover a box of old journals in Edie's attic, they team up to figure out exactly who's behind them and why they got left behind. Soon they discover shocking and painful secrets of the past and learn that nothing is quite what it seems.

Alternative Names For Black Boys by Danez Smith

Fifth Grade And Up

These books deal with more sophisticated themes. They may portray violence and contain mature language.

Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism and You

This adaptation of Ibram X. Kendi's "Stamped From the Beginning" explores the history of racist ideas in America by examining the lives of notable historical figures, from Cotton Mather and Thomas Jefferson to W.E.B. Du Bois and Angela Davis. Discusses how racist ideas spread and how they are also discredited.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

African American teen Justyce McAllister is bound for the Ivy League; top of his class, set for the future. None of that matters to his private school classmates who think he has been given unfair advantages just because he is black. Conversely, none of it matters to his former friends with whom he grew up in his rough neighborhood, who think he has assimilated to “white culture,” especially since he is dating a biracial girl and also feels attracted to his white debate partner. Everything comes to a head when Justyce and his friend Manny are cruising together with their music too loud and they draw the fury of an off-duty white cop ...

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Only the living can make the world better. Live and make it better.

Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation that's been unleashed on his family and community in the wake of what they see as an unjust and brutal killing.

Soon Jerome meets another ghost: Emmett Till, a boy from a very different time but similar circumstances. Emmett helps Jerome process what has happened, on a journey towards recognizing how historical racism may have led to the events that ended his life.

Port Chicago 50 by Steve Sheinkin

On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion rocked the segregated Navy base at Port Chicago, California, killing more than 300 sailors who were at the docks, critically injuring off-duty men in their bunks, and shattering windows up to a mile away. On August 9th, 244 men refused to go back to work until unsafe and unfair conditions at the docks were addressed. When the dust settled, fifty were charged with mutiny, facing decades in jail and even execution.

This is a fascinating story of the prejudice that faced black men and women in America's armed forces during World War II, and a nuanced look at those who gave their lives in service of a country where they lacked the most basic rights.

We’ve Got A Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March by Cynthia Levinson

The inspiring story of one of the greatest moments in civil rights history seen through the eyes of four young people at the center of the action.

The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March was a turning point in American history. In the streets of Birmingham, Alabama, the fight for civil rights lay in the hands of children like Audrey Hendricks, Wash Booker, James Stewart, and Arnetta Streeter. We’ve Got a Job tells the little-known story of the 4,000 black elementary, middle, and high school students who voluntarily went to jail between May 2 and May 11, 1963. The children succeeded —where adults had failed—in desegregating one of the most racially violent cities in America.

A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1918 By Claire Hartfield

On a hot day in July 1919, five black youths went swimming in Lake Michigan, unintentionally floating close to the "white" beach. An angry white man began throwing stones at the boys, striking and killing one. Racial conflict on the beach erupted into days of urban violence that shook the city of Chicago to its foundations. This mesmerizing narrative draws on contemporary accounts as it traces the roots of the explosion that had been building for decades in race relations, politics, business, and clashes of culture.

Turning 15 On The Road to Freedom by Lynda Blackman Lowery

By the time she turned 15 during a voting rights march in Alabama, Linda Blackmon Lowery had already been jailed nine times for demonstrating on behalf of African American rights. This memoir vividly recounts Lowery's experiences, which include protests with Martin Luther King, Jr., and horrific encounters with violence, including a beating she received from a state trooper at the age of 14 that required 35 stitches in her head. Despite the persecution Lowery and her fellow protestors faced, she persevered in her fight to stand up for human rights, serving as an agent of change and an inspiration to others.

March Book 1-3 by John Lewis

Using a graphic novel format featuring illustrations by Nate Powell, author Lewis presents a stunning, engaging autobiography that details key moments in his long, busy life. The first of a trilogy, this title chronicles the era from Lewis' childhood through his involvement in the civil rights movement, spotlighting the major developments, motivations, and influences that shaped him into the man he is today. The book reads as a work of historical nonfiction, and Lewis' direct involvement in the events of the era provides a firsthand perspective on the beginnings of the movement and the all-important March on Washington. “A powerful tale of courage and principle igniting sweeping social change, told by a strong-minded, uniquely qualified eyewitness” (KIRK).

The Hate u Give by Angie Thomas

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Starr Carter, a 16-year-old black girl, may live in a neighborhood infested with gang violence, but she goes to school at Williamson Prep, a private school miles away. She has a white boyfriend there, and though there is a handful of black students at the school, she still cannot feel like herself in either place. One day she gets a ride home from Khalil, a childhood friend. They are pulled over by a white cop and Khalil, unarmed, is shot and killed. Only Starr knows what really happened in that confrontation, but what she says, or refuses to say, could upend her community and even endanger her family and herself … “Beautifully written in Starr's authentic first-person voice, this is a marvel of verisimilitude as it insightfully examines two worlds in collision” (BL).

This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell

Offers young people twenty illustrated lessons with activities for standing up to racism. Provides information on understanding your own identity, personal and institutional racism, the history of prejudice, and ways to take action against racism. Features extensive backmatter including a glossary of terms, notes on the text, and resources for further information.

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds

When 16-year-old Rashad Butler, an African-American student at the local high school, is beaten by a white police officer at the local corner store, his classmate Quinn Collins witnesses the event. Quinn, a member of the varsity basketball team who has been raised by the officer since his own father died in Afghanistan, will be forced to face the mounting racial tension among his teammates, many who are Rashad's friends, his classmates, and the entire community. Told in the alternating voices of Rashad and Quinn, this story portrays the truth that racism in American is sadly still alive. It will take the bravery of both boys to step forward and speak against injustice. “Timely and powerful, this novel promises to have an impact long after the pages stop turning” (SLJ).

On The Come Up by Angie Thomas

Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least win her first battle. As the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died right before he hit big, Bri's got massive shoes to fill.

But it's hard to get your come up when you're labeled a hoodlum at school, and your fridge at home is empty after your mom loses her job. So Bri pours her anger and frustration into her first song, which goes viral . . . for all the wrong reasons.

Bri soon finds herself at the center of a controversy, portrayed by the media as more menace than MC. But with an eviction notice staring her family down, Bri doesn't just want to make it--she has to. Even if it means becoming the very thing the public has made her out to be.

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A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramee

All twelve-year-old Shayla wants to do is follow the rules, but when she starts seventh grade, the rules have changed. Her two best friends seem to be going their own ways and some people at school are saying that she's not black enough. After a ruling in a controversial court case involving the shooting of a black man by a white police officer, Shayla decides to join the Black Lives Matter movement and begins passing out black armbands at school. As the unrest in both Los Angeles and her school spreads, Shayla must figure out if some things are worth breaking the rules.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

A cannon. A strap.

A piece. A biscuit.

A burner. A heater.

A chopper. A gat.

A hammer

A tool

for RULE

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Or, you can call it a gun. That's what fifteen-year-old Will has shoved in the back waistband of his jeans. See, his brother Shawn was just murdered. And Will knows the rules. No crying. No snitching. Revenge.

Just as Will's trying to think this through, the door to the next floor opens. A teenage girl gets on, waves away the smoke from Dead Buck's cigarette.

Will doesn't know her, but she knew him. Knew. When they were eight. And stray bullets had cut through the playground, and Will had tried to cover her, but she was hit anyway.

And so it goes, the whole long way down, as the elevator stops on each floor, and at each stop someone connected to his brother gets on to give Will a piece to a bigger story than the one he thinks he knows. A story that might never know an END…if WILL gets off that elevator.

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Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson

Jade believes she must get out of her poor neighborhood if she's ever going to succeed. Her mother tells her to take advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. And she has. She accepted a scholarship to a mostly-white private school and even Saturday morning test prep opportunities. But some opportunities feel more demeaning than helpful. Like an invitation to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for "at-risk" girls. Except really, it's for black girls. From "bad" neighborhoods. And just because Maxine, her college-graduate mentor, is black doesn't mean she understands Jade. And maybe there are some things Jade could show these successful women about the real world and finding ways to make a real difference.

Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team

by Steve Sheinkin

Jim Thorpe: Super athlete, Olympic gold medalist, Native American Pop Warner: Indomitable coach, football mastermind, Ivy League grad.

Before these men became legends, they met in 1907 at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania, where they forged one of the winningest teams in American football history. Called "the team that invented football," they took on the best opponents of their day, defeating much more privileged schools such as Harvard and the Army in a series of breathtakingly close calls, genius plays, and bone-crushing hard work.

Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team is an astonishing underdog sports story—and more. It’s an unflinching look at the U.S. government’s violent persecution of Native Americans and the school that was designed to erase Indian cultures. Expertly told by nonfiction powerhouse author Steve Sheinkin, it’s the story of a group of young men who came together at that school, the overwhelming obstacles they faced both on and off the field, and their absolute refusal to accept defeat.

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Etched in Clay by Andrea Cheng

Meet Dave, a young African sold into slavery sometime before 1818. Dave worked for a potter and made many items out of clay—pots, jars, anything asked of him, eventually becoming the best potter in the region. When he learned to read, at great personal risk, Dave began etching poems into the pottery he made, and became a poet for all slaves. “Combining visual art with poetry as Dave did, Cheng includes her own striking woodcuts, illustrating both Dave's experiences and his artistry”

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child's soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson's eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become.

Loving vs. Virginia by Patricia Hruby Powell

From acclaimed author Patricia Hruby Powell comes the story of a landmark civil rights case, told in spare and gorgeous verse. In 1955, in Caroline County, Virginia, amidst segregation and prejudice, injustice and cruelty, two teenagers fell in love. Their life together broke the law, but their determination would change it. Richard and Mildred Loving were at the heart of a Supreme Court case that legalized marriage between races, and a story of the devoted couple who faced discrimination, fought it, and won.

Just Mercy Adapted For Young Adults by Bryan Stevenson

Lawyer Bryan Stevenson shares his efforts to end racial and economic injustice through his organization Equal Justice Initiative. With personal stories from his work, he sheds light on a broken justice system he's working to change.

An Indigenous People’s History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Going beyond the story of America as a country "discovered" by a few brave men in the "New World," Indigenous human rights advocate Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz reveals the roles that settler colonialism and policies of American Indian genocide played in forming our national identity.

The original academic text is fully adapted by renowned curriculum experts Debbie Reese and Jean Mendoza, for middle-grade and young adult readers to include discussion topics, archival images, original maps, recommendations for further reading, and other materials to encourage students, teachers, and general readers to think critically about their own place in history.

You Call This Democracy? By Elizabeth Rusch

The political landscape has never been so tumultuous: issues with the electoral college, gerrymandering, voter suppression, and a lack of representation in the polls and in our leadership have led to Americans of all ages asking, How did we get here?

The power to change lies with the citizens of this great country--especially teens! Rather than pointing fingers at people and political parties, You Call This Democracy? looks at flaws in the system--and offers a real way out of the mess we are in. Each chapter breaks down a different problem plaguing American democracy, exploring how it's undemocratic, offering possible solutions (with examples of real-life teens who have already started working toward them), and suggesting ways to effect change--starting NOW!