Civil Rights The 1963 Civil Rights March    On Wednesday, August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have A Dream" speech, which became world renown, before a crowd of more than 200,000 people attending The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The famous, peaceful march from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial took place at the height of the Civil Rights movement. This 48-page reference for elementary and middle school students is part of the "World Almanac Library of Landmark Events in American History." The book follows the series' engaging format, telling the story of the march from its roots in slavery and segregation through its legacy today, as personified by achievements of African Americans serving in leading positions in the presidential administration of George W. Bush. An introduction first explains the Civil Rights March of 1963 and its historical context. Then follow five short chapters addressing the history leading up to it, from slavery to segregation, the Civil Rights Movement, planning the march, the day of the event, and its aftermath, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the King assassination. As with other books in the series, a "conclusion" section characterizes how the march is remembered now, and why it was and is still important. Photographs, maps and original source materials supplement the text. Page layout integrates artwork and boxed passages about related subjects, including, for example, the 1866 Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, and information about some of the people who have played significant roles in the Civil Rights movement. The book also includes a timeline, glossary and resources for further research. 2005, World Almanac Library, $22.50. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: J. H. Diehl (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-8368-5392-X ISBN: 0-8368-5420-9 Abby Takes a Stand Patricia McKissackI Illustrator Gordon James    Putting an important civil rights event of 1960 in children's terms, this story tells of 10-year-old Abby's participation in the lunch counter sit-in efforts in Nashville, Tennessee. Abby has feelings of fear, concern, outrage, and determination and expresses them the way any child would. Through Abby and other characters, readers see how and why the black population was split on the civil rights issue, struggling with the dilemma of whether to endure the inequality--assuring safety--or buck the status quo--incurring wrath. Multi-award winning author McKissack does not shy away from the reality of the day and has her characters witness police violence and one-sided news reporting that is obvious enough for today's young readers to identify the injustice and perhaps ask questions about what else happened during that period. It is a story of hope and ultimate victory for Abby and all blacks, the result of perseverance and determination on the part of a brave few. A chronology of some major civil rights events of 1960 is found at the back of the book, along with the clearly pacifist rules for the Nashville sit-ins. A well-presented story of race relations, engagingly told from a child's perspective, this book is the first in what promises to be an engaging and well-written series, "Scraps of Time." The simple but sensitive black-and-white sketches are a fine addition. 2005, Viking, $14.99. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Kathryn Erskine (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-670-06011-9 African Americans During Reconstruction Richard Worth    Over the years, the Reconstruction period following the American Civil War has been portrayed as an era of mistakes, misjudgments, and error. In reality, the twelve years that made up the Reconstruction era (1865-1877) represented a time of great opportunity and amelioration of the terrible ills bred by the longstanding existence of slavery in the antebellum South. During the Reconstruction era, African-American men were given the right to vote, serve on juries, and actively participate in all levels of government. In the Reconstruction period a system of public education that included African-American children was begun in the South. Economic opportunities never before available to African Americans existed and many black men and women took advantage of them. Nevertheless, the forces of racism and white supremacy gradually seeped back into the very fabric of civil life and, by 1877, virtually all of those advances for southern African Americans were suppressed. In African Americans During Reconstruction, Richard Worth charts the course of progress and regression during that pivotal period of American history. In relating this ultimately unsuccessful age of reform, Richard Worth does an excellent job of capturing the events, keynote personalities, and spirit of those bygone years. Here, in this fine historical work, readers will encounter Klansmen, black reformers, white idealists, scallywags, and carpetbaggers. This chapter of the illustrated "Slavery in the Americas" series is an excellent resource and, perhaps, the finest book in a strong set. 2006, Facts on File/Chelsea House, $35.00. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-8160-6139-4 Barack Obama: Working to Make a Difference Marlene Targ Brill    The son of a white woman from the Midwest and a black man from Kenya, Barak Obama spent his early years in Honolulu, Hawaii where his parents had met at the University of Hawaii. After his father finished graduate school and returned to Kenya, Barak and his mother continued to live with his mother's parents in Hawaii. When he was six, his mother married again and the family moved to Indonesia for four years. Barak Obama graduated from the Punahou School in Honolulu and Columbia University. After college, he began working at the Developing Communities Project in Chicago, where he hoped to improve conditions for people in poor neighborhoods. Some three years later he traveled to Kenya where he met his paternal grandmother and other relatives. He studied law at Harvard Law School, serving as editor of the prestigious Harvard Law Review; in 1999 he was elected its president, a first for an African American. He later married another Harvard Law graduate and moved to Chicago, where he joined a small law firm focusing on civil rights. He was active in local politics and later served as a state senator. In 2004 he ran--and won--a seat in the US Senate, only the fifth African American to do so. This thoughtful biography introduces Barak Obama's inspirational story and will be a helpful addition to juvenile literature about current political figures. Other books in the "Gateway Biographies" series include biographies of Toni Morrison and Jonas Salk. 2006, Millbrook Press, $23.93. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Valerie O. Patterson (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-8225-3417-7 ISBN: 978-0-8225-3417-4 The Civil Rights Movement Jill Karson, book editor    This book is part of the "Opposing Viewpoints in World History" series, which includes discussions of adversarial world and national events. The editor of this title does a magnificent job of presenting a balanced approach. Each chapter begins with a question that is answered with speeches and writings by or discussing the foremost leaders and thinkers of the relevant period. Although it discusses the Civil Rights Movement, it appropriately begins the debate with extremely important events that preceded the Civil War and Post-Reconstruction. Unlike most books that discuss the Civil Rights Movement, it does not begin and end in the 1960s. The inclusion of writings from Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois, Ida B. Wells, Martin Luther King, Jr, A. Philip Randolph, Malcolm X and many more, makes this book quite exceptional. It is a compilation of writings, speeches and critiques of the persons that made the movement. It supplies an index, bibliography, discussion questions, and a chronology of events. Every school in America should have this book. 2004, Greenhaven Press/Thomson Gale, $34.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Gilda R. Daniels (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7377-2578-8 ISBN: 0-7377-2577-X Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement    This title is part of the "Profiles in History" series, and although Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. graces the cover of this book, he is not the focus. The text includes the writings of and about various leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, including the often-overlooked contributions of women. Although we often think of the 1960s as the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement, this book appropriately begins with civil rights pioneers Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois and Ida B. Wells. It devotes separate chapters to both Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. The "Other Leaders" section includes pioneers such as Thurgood Marshall, Stokely Carmichael, and my personal favorite, Fannie Lou Hamer. The book includes a chronology that begins with the arrival of the first African slaves in America and continues to the 1990s, and a bibliography, and an index that includes references to lesser-known civil rights leaders, such as A. Philip Randolph. This is a must have for every school library. 2005, Thomson Gale, $34.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Gilda R. Daniels (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0737723076 ISBN: 0737723068 Don't Know Much About Martin Luther King, Jr. Kenneth C. Davis Illustrated by Machiyo Kodaira    Part of the "Don't Know Much About…" series, this biography is presented as a directed sequence of questions that lead the reader to understand the life and influence of Martin Luther King, Jr. While most suitable for ages 8 to 12, the format, language, and content are very useful for older readers as well. It would be an excellent choice for ESL students and adults. Learning about MLK's childhood lays the groundwork for understanding the influences that help mold him into the leader that he became during the Civil Rights Movement. Davis discusses the difficult issues of racial prejudice and injustice with truth and tact, while giving lots of background history in informational sidebars. He uses many direct quotes from the people of the time, which gives validity to the narrative answers of specific questions. As the questions progress through the stages of this powerful leader's life, we learn about his fervent desire to end segregation through nonviolent protests. His interest in Gandhi's work in India greatly influenced his own approach to peaceful efforts for changing the segregation policies in the U. S. Black-and-white drawings enhance the text, a timeline gives important dates, and a detailed index makes this an excellent research resource. This title is a readily accessible introduction to the life and times of Martin Luther King, Jr. 2006, Harper Collins, $4.99. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-06-442129-5 ISBN: 978-0-06-4421294 ISBN: 0-06-028822-1 ISBN: 978-0-06-028822-8 Don't Know Much About Rosa Parks Kenneth C. Davis Illustrated by Sergio Martinez    Many people believe that Rosa was just "some old lady" who was too tired to give up her seat on the bus. Her critics suggest she "was planted on the bus by the NAACP" to be a Supreme Court test case for equal rights. Neither statement is accurate, and Davis clearly explains the facts of her life with his trademark question and answer format. He thoroughly documents a lifelong commitment to desegregation (although her only reason for boarding the famous bus was to ride home.) He also describes her as a leader in the struggle for respect as a southern black woman. Throughout her life, she resists discrimination from men both black and white. After public transportation was successfully desegregated, she had to leave her Montgomery home to escape the threats of enemies, and the jealousy of old friends. The fifth biography in the "Don't Know Much About History" series, this book is a feminist history of civil rights. 2005, HarperTrophy/HarperCollins Publishers, $4.99. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Tina Dybvik (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-06-028819-1 ISBN: 0-06-442126-0 Freedom Cannot Rest: Ella Baker and the Civil Rights Movement Lisa Frederiksen Bohannon    Ella Baker devoted her life to participating in events that were focused on obtaining equality for African-Americans. She worked with civil rights organizations such as NAACP and help to found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). When a group of students decided to challenge segregated seating laws at F.W.Woolworth lunch counters in North Carolina, Baker aided them in establishing a student-led organization. It was named the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC pronounced SNICK). She was involved with efforts to register African- Americans to vote and in 1963 she and Bayard Rustin coordinated the August 18, 1963, March on Washington. It was there that Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. I was involved in the organization of the march for the state of Connecticut but I, unfortunately, never met her. During the later part of her life, she devoted her efforts towards women's issues. She often spoke of the discrimination that she experienced from African-American men in leadership positions during the civil rights movement. Baker's life lets us know that one person can make a difference. 2005, Morgan Reynolds Publishing, $24.95. Ages 10 to 16. Reviewer: Leila Toledo (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-1-93179-871-6 ISBN: 1-93179-871-0 Freedom Riders: John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement Ann Bausum    Forewords by Freedom Riders Congressman John Lewis and Jim Zwerg This short, oversized book tells the story of the Freedom Rides into the Deep South in the early 1960s based on the experiences of a young white man and a young black man. Jim Zwerg grew up in white, middle-class, midwest America. John Lewis grew up in the poor, segregated rural South. The two men met in 1961 in Nashville, Tennessee where college students were protesting local segregation. Lewis and Zwerg joined in the freedom bus rides to challenge segregation. White mobs viciously beat both men, Zwerg especially so. But the violence that was intended to discourage the freedom riders led to eventual success. The writing, often awkward, needs a bit of polish, but black-and-white photographs and supplementary information on the Civil Rights movement enhance the story. 2006, National Geographic Society, $18.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Michael L. Cooper (Children's Literature).    This excellent retelling of the early days of the Civil Rights Movement, in particular the events surrounding the Freedom Rides of May, 1961, leaves little to the imagination. The author does an admirable job of setting the historical stage for young readers through her use of period black-and-white photos and descriptions of the separate worlds of blacks and whites in the 1950s and 60s. The detailed biographies of John Lewis and Jim Zwerg, who eventually became Freedom Riders, sets the stage for their involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and their lasting friendship. Students of today need reminding of the struggles that earned them their freedoms today, and Mr. Lewis and Mr. Zwerg's story should stand as a reminder that people of courage need to stand up for the rights of others as well as themselves. Seeing the actual photos of those difficult times in American history should inspire teachers, as well, to use history as inspiration for change. It is a fascinating, well-researched account that illustrates that the courage and actions of even young people can make a difference. An interesting time line, partial roster of freedom riders, resources for further study, and extensive bibliography are included. 2006, National Geographic Society, $18.95. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). Awards, Honors, Prizes: Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award, Honor Book 2007, United States Best Books: Booklist Book Review Stars, Feb. 1, 2006; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, May 2006; Cahners; United States ISBN: 0792241738 ISBN: 0792241746 Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott Russell Freedman    Written by an acclaimed author of nonfiction for young readers, this well-researched account of the Montgomery bus boycott is a must-read for students in the upper elementary grades and middle school. The account sets the stage for the boycott by reviewing what life was like for blacks living in the South in the 1950s. The author uses personal accounts of various citizen participants as well as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr., providing powerful words and experiences for readers. The numerous black-and-white photos make it seem like this event occurred long ago, but many teachers will have actually lived through this turbulent time and can relate to it. Students today need to be informed of the courage of others and the struggles overcome to appreciate the freedoms that they do have today. A bibliography and sources for the many quotes in the book are included. The eyewitness accounts bring this story to life. 2006, Holiday House, $18.95. Ages 10 to adult. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Books of the Year, 2006; School Library Journal; United States Best Children's Books, 2006; Kirkus; United States Booklist Book Review Stars, Sep. 15, 2006; United States Kirkus Book Review Stars, September 1, 2006; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, November 2006; Cahners; United States ISBN: 978-0-8234-2031-5 ISBN: 0-8234-2031-0 Grandmama's Pride Becky Birtha Illustrated by Colin Bootman    This picture book about what it was like for African-Americans in the segregated south is particularly well done. Before young Sarah Marie learns to read the notorious "whites only" signs, she is told that picnic lunches for trips south to visit Grandmama are better than lunch counter meals, that seats in the back of the bus are roomier, and that water coolers are off-limits because of germs. Sarah Marie's innocence is lost when she learns to read and discovers the truth. The lazy summer days of her childhood are effectively set against a dark undercurrent of prejudice. Soft Pinckney-like watercolor illustrations are appealing, and the bright colors in the girls' dresses and hair bows stand out clearly against drab gray and brown scenes where the children are excluded. Heads held proudly, the family walks downtown, and we see the chiseled, anonymous faces of white patrons at forbidden locales in the background. Irony is evident in the American flag beside the post office as the family walks past a "whites only" water cooler. The book ends on a hopeful note as Sarah Marie describes changes brought about by the Civil Rights Movement. This moving story of one African-American family's struggle to maintain their dignity is especially timely in light of Rosa Park's recent death. Includes an author's note. 2005, Albert Whitman & Co, $16.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Quinby Frank (Children's Literature). ISBN: 080753028X A History of Free Blacks in America Stuart Kallen    Although there were free blacks in America as early as the mid 1660s, they were largely ignored and discriminated against. The degree of segregation depended on the region in which they lived. Early in the 19th century there were three distinct groups: those in the north free-states, those in the upper south, and those in the lower south where segregation was deeply rooted. Northern blacks did experience a measure of freedom greater than those in the upper south. Northern blacks were allowed to publish newspapers, hold public meetings, and participate in the governmental process. In the upper south they were not allowed these luxuries, so they focused on working and making money. In the lower south the grip was tight and being free meant very little. In spite of this, free blacks in the country, the city, on the western frontier, and those serving their country in various wars, made sizable contributions to America's history through their intellect, inventions and oratory. The cover image by the famous black artist Lawrence Jacob is quite impressive. 2006, Thomason Gale, $28.70. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Leila Toledo (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-5901-8776-8 If You Lived at the Time of Martin Luther King Ellen Levine Illustrations by Anna Rich    Updated from the 1990 edition, this well-written, historically rich text deserves a spot in every school and public library collection. In the attempt to paint a portrait of key events, people, and beliefs associated with the civil rights movement in America, Levine refuses to oversimplify, conceal, or glorify. She is honest in the telling, sharing vividly but not gratuitously the physical and emotional violence that resulted in the attempt to enact equality in the United States-from the Birmingham church bombings to the attempts by Bull Connor to break up a children's protest using water hoses and attack dogs. Levine defines and provides contextual information for difficult concepts (segregation and nonviolent direct action, for example) and reveals lesser-known historical truths to fill in the gaps often existent in classroom textbooks. Readers learn, for instance, that teenager Claudette Colvin paved the way for Rosa Parks by first refusing to give up her seat on the bus and that President Kennedy gained support from black voters in his support of Martin Luther King, Jr. The illustrations capture well the strong emotions experienced by those on all sides, leaving readers sometimes uncomfortable but always inspired to think carefully and critically. The text is organized by key questions, making it easy to navigate, and ends with a time line of important events, list of places to visit, and music and lyrics to "We Shall Overcome." 2006, Scholastic, Ages 7 to 10, $5.99. Reviewer: Wendy Glenn ISBN: 0-590-42582-X ISBN: 978-0-590-42582-7 John Lewis in the Lead Jim Haskins and Kathleen Benson Illustrations by Benny Andrews    The dust jacket of a book can make it or break it when it comes to sales and circulation numbers, and the very first thing potential readers will notice about this book is the large and unsightly head looming on the cover. The second thing may be the claw-like hands of people grasping placards in the background of the cover. The photographs at the end of the book show an attractive man with even features, not at all similar to the bulbous head featured on the book cover. Overall, the rest of the illustrations are up to par, and, in fact, convey the emotion and drama inherent in a story of the civil rights movement. The story of John Lewis and the contributions the congressman has made to society is important. The book tells his tale concisely, integrating the story of Lewis's life with the history of the civil rights movement (an effort aided by the time line in the back of the book). This book would be a useful tool in the classroom for a lesson on American history and the civil rights movement, especially for older readers who will be able to grasp the metaphor in the beginning of the book of Lewis's family surviving a storm by presenting a united front. 2006, Lee & Low Books, Ages 9 to 12, $17.95. Reviewer: Meagan Albright ISBN: 1-58430-250-X ISBN: 978-1-58430-250-6 No Easy Answers: Bayard Rustin and the Civil Rights Movement Calvin Craig Miller    Bayard Rustin is one of the unsung heroes of the Civil Rights movement. He is credited with introducing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Gandhi's nonviolent philosophy. He worked closely with leaders in the Montgomery Improvement Association, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and civil rights organizations. Prior to working with these organizations, Rustin was a conscientious objector, musician, organizer, and teacher. He had the unenviable task of being black and gay when neither was acceptable to society. The book chronicles Rustin's life, which was filled with adventure. While a good and interesting read overall, the book does contain some unsubstantiated allegations that I believe would benefit from some type of reference in the text. No Easy Answers includes a bibliography and a list of websites for further study. It is a comprehensive view of Rustin's life. 2005, Morgan Reynolds Publishing, $24.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Gilda R. Daniels (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1931798435 Nobody Gonna Turn Me 'Round: Stories and Songs of the Civil Rights Movement Doreen Rappaport Illustrated by Shane W. Evans    Kwanzaa brings a chance to reflect on the Seven Principles or, in Swahili, Nguzo Saba, of African culture that can help contribute to the building of family, community and culture. This title exemplifies the principles of unity and self-determination. In the face of loss and fear, African Americans fought steadfastly in the late 1950s and '60s for the rights accorded all Americans under the Constitution. By including lesser known figures with heroes such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks, the author emphasizes the importance of everyone who participated. Powerful, indeed, were 8-year-old Sheyann Webb, marching in Selma, Alabama, and Fannie Lou Hamer, a sharecropper who lost home and job trying to register to vote and went on to work for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Rappaport, who taught in a Mississippi freedom school in 1965, punctuates her text with the freedom songs that served as a rallying force, whether sung in jails, in churches or during protest marches. Illustrator Evans bears eloquent testimony to the struggle with images that range in mood from the grief of mourners at the open casket of murder victim Emmett Till to the determination of women organizing boycotts of segregated buses to the vibrant courage of marchers with upraised fists on the front cover. A compelling rendering of a turning point in American history. 2006, Candlewick, $19.99. Ages 6 up. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7636-1927-2 Rosa Nikki Giovanni Illustrated by Bryan Collier    What would happen if you were made to give up your seat on a bus simply because of the color of your skin? That is what happened to Rosa Parks, a black woman in the southern town of Montgomery, Alabama, on December 1, 1955. When she refused to give up a seat that was supposed to be neutral--for blacks or whites--the bus driver called the police. The police arrested Mrs. Parks and took her to jail. When Jo Ann Robinson, a member of the Women's Political Council, heard of the arrest, she formed a committee that put up posters all over the town, urging black people to walk instead of riding the bus. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke to them as part of a large group that had joined together in the fight for equality. This was a country that was founded by a diverse group of people, and every citizen deserved equal treatment and Dr. King urged all blacks to stay off the buses. People from all over the country sent them shoes, coats, and money so they could continue to walk for almost a year--until the United States Supreme Court ruled on November 13, 1956, that segregation in any form was illegal. This would be a good book for an elementary social-studies class. The author explains the situation in simple terms for young children. The illustrator has emphasized the strength of Rosa Parks in his use of dark and light images. 2005, Henry Holt and Company, $16.95. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Debbie West (Children's Literature) Awards and Prizes: Randolph Caldecott Honor Book, 2006; United States Coretta Scott Kinng (Illustrator) Book Award Winner 2006; United States Best Books: Booklist Book Review Stars , Jun. 1, 2005; United States Kirkus Book Review Stars, July 15, 2005; United States Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, August 29, 2005; Cahners; United States ISBN: 978-0-8050-7106-1 ISBN: 0-8050-7106-7 Rosa Parks Erinn Banting    This book is from the "Great African-American Women" series. It provides an over view of Rosa Parks' life. Rosa Parks grew up in Alabama where she worked very hard on her grandparent's farm. Her grandparents taught her the importance of education and to stand up for her rights. Rosa's parents, and later her husband, encouraged Rosa to further her education. Rosa's education instilled in her a belief that she could change the world by being an active citizen. She worked hard during the civil rights movement to change unfair laws. Throughout her life, Rosa stood up for her beliefs and fought for the equality of all people. Rosa has been given many awards and recognition for the differences she has made in the world. This biography would be useful when teaching about segregation, civil rights, citizenship, law making, and education. There are great photographs that accompany the text. The back of the book includes a time line of Rosa Parks' life, an activity for making a bill, and resources for further research. 2006, Weigl Publishers, $6.95. Ages 8 to 16. Reviewer: Mandy Wollenzien (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-590-36336-1 ISBN: 1-590-36342-6 ISBN: 978-1-590-36336-2 Rosa Parks Jonatha A. Brown    Many students have heard about Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on a public bus. In this book they will learn that she worked with the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). The text is appropriate for third-through-fifth grade students. Because the book is organized into chapters and subchapters, students are able to use it for school reports. The sidebars, photos, and captions enhance the text and explain what was happening at the time. Chapter1: "Little Black Girl," tells about Rosa's childhood, while explaining what segregation means. In Chapter 2: "Married Woman," Rosa meets and later marries Raymond Parks. This chapter also explains Rosa's work with the NAACP, in the subchapter, "Finding Her Spirit." In Chapter 3: "Lawbreaker," Rosa takes a stand by sitting on a bus on December 1, 1955, and refusing to give the seat to a white man. In Chapter 4: "A Brave Woman," the reader learns about the bus boycott and Rosa's court case. At the end of the book there are lists of books and websites for more information about Rosa Parks. A glossary is provided and words that appear in it are also printed in boldface type the first time they occur in the text. This book is part of the "People We Should Know" series. 2006, Weekly Reader Early Learning Library, $19.33. Ages 8 to 10. Reviewer: Liz Rice (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-8368-4748-2 ISBN: 0-8368-4755-5 Rosa Parks Michelle Levine    This book in the "Early Biography" series delves into the life of civil rights figure Rosa Parks. Chapter one, "Wanting Americans to Change," explains how black Americans were not treated equally when Rosa was a child. Chapter two, "Born into an Unfair World," describes how black and white Americans were segregated and describes Rosa's family. Chapter three, "Segregation," describes Rosa's day-to-day life in a segregated world, including her schooling at the Montgomery Industrial School for Negro Girls. Chapter four, "Fighting Segregation," explains why Rosa and other black people began to fight the segregation laws. Chapter five, "Rosa Takes Action," describes how Rosa refused to give up her seat on a public bus to a white man and was arrested as a result. Chapter six, "The Bus Boycott," explains how the other black people in the community quit riding the buses to protest the treatment of Rosa and eventually the Supreme Court changed the law. Chapter seven, "An American Hero," describes the effect Rosa's action had on her personal life as well as starting the civil rights movement. Numerous photographs, maps, a timeline, and a glossary make this book an engaging biography. 2005, Compass Point Books, $21.26. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7565-0792-8 Rosa Parks: "tired of giving in" Anne Schraff    Part of the "African-American Biography Library" series, this is an excellent biographical account for young readers of one of the major historical figures of America's Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks is best known for her staunch refusal to move from her seat on a segregated city bus in Alabama, which led to her arrest. But risking arrest was just one of many brave actions in the life of a woman who was tired of the unfair and unequal treatment of African-Americans. Rosa Parks was a soft-spoken, intelligent woman who worked along with her husband, Raymond Parks, to fight for equality, freedom, and justice. Both were active members of the NAACP. After Rosa Parks' arrest, she agreed to let her case be made a test case for the constitutionality of the segregation of city buses. Young Martin Luther King, Jr. helped lead the fight for more fair and equal treatment on city buses. Rosa Parks continued to live her life committed to the cause of furthering civil rights issues. This book would be a great resource for lessons on the Civil Rights Movement or for simply learning the interesting story of an influential American woman. 2005, Enslow Publishers, $31.93. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Jennifer Chambliss (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7660-2463-6 Rosa Parks: Civil Rights Leader Mary Hull    Originally published in 1994, this revised edition in the "Black Americans of Achievement" series includes additional material by Gloria Blakely and Dale Evva Gelfand. The authors have managed to weave in the additional material without changing the smooth flow and tone of the text. Having read several books about Rosa Parks, I felt this was among the best. Not only do you get a feeling for this woman who was thrust into the public eye, but you understand better the circumstances that led to her refusal to give up her seat, conditions in the South under the "separate but equal" laws, and some of the major players in the Civil Rights Movement. I read the book in one sitting, but students may read chapters or check the extensive index to find certain information. You can feel the uncertainty of black leaders, the resolve of the people who finally refused to be treated as second class citizens, and you wish that you could have helped the Parks' over the years as they struggled to make ends meet. That Rosa was honored later in life and that she finally met her hero, Nelson Mandela, was a moving part of the book. There are a few places where information is repeated, and where the author refers to Ray and Rosa as "the Parkses," which could have been handled a bit more smoothly, but all in all this book is one that I would recommend to students. There is an extensive bibliography, web sites, and a timeline of Rosa's life. 2006, Chelsea House, Ages 10 up, $30.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 978-0-7910-9523-2 ISBN: 0-7910-9523-1 Rosa Parks: Civil Rights Pioneer Erika L. Shores    This biography introduces the civil rights pioneer and the situations that led her to refuse to give up her bus seat to a white man. Her action led to the Montgomery bus boycott which convinced the US Supreme Court to end segregation laws on buses. In addition, it points out Parks' legacy to civil rights. The selection of mostly black and white photos features none from Parks' early life but substitutes photos from the era. Parks is pictured in her adult years. Photos set against colorful text pages are fully-captioned and lend authority to the text and a "Fast Facts" section gives readers vital statistics and education. The text ends with a timeline, glossary, internet sites, further reading, and an index. This title, like the others in the "Fact Finders" biography series, features carefully-controlled vocabulary, short and direct sentences, photos that match the text to aid in comprehension, and an uncomplicated design. 2005, Capstone Press, $22.60. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Susan Hepler, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7368-3746-9 Rosa Parks: una vida de valentía por Ann-Marie Kishel    This book is from "Pull Ahead Books-Biographies" series. Emerging Spanish readers will learn about Rosa Parks and the important role she played in the United States during segregation. The vocabulary is in bold type for readers, and at the end of the book a glossary is provided with the definitions. The actual photographs of these American historical events lend to the credibility of this book. A chronological timeline on Rosa Parks' life is provided for readers at the end of the book, as well as additional information, Web sites, and an index. This text is an excellent introduction to segregation and Civil Rights in the United States for young readers. Educators can use the vocabulary prior to reading the book to help introduce and activate background knowledge of the historical events. Moreover, Rosa Parks's life is simply told from the unfolding of events in which she refused to give up her seat after a long day at work to the Supreme Court's ruling on segregation. 2006, Lerner, $22.60. Ages 7 to 9. Reviewer: Rosa Roberts (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-8225-6239-9 ISBN: 0-8225-6239-1 Roy Wilkins: Leader of the NAACP Calvin Craig Miller    This comprehensive biography of long-time NAACP head Roy Wilkins focuses on his gradual maturation into a seminal figure in the civil rights movement. Wilkins's awareness of racial issues began in an unlikely place: orphaned early in life, Wilkins and his siblings moved to a comfortable existence in St. Paul, Minnesota, largely sheltered from the racial tension in much of the rest of the country. Only when a lynching in Duluth, Minnesota, made national news while Wilkins was in college did he become motivated to take action. The biography focuses on Wilkins's interaction--and frequent conflict--with other civil rights leaders whose tactics were different from his own. It also incorporates plenty of historical and cultural context for Wilkins's civil rights work. Plentifully-illustrated with archival photographs of Wilkins, as well as other notable figures, the book's design is clean, if somewhat uninspired. A timeline, an index, and list of web sites are included. There is also a bibliography, which seems a little too reliant on Internet source materials. 2005, Morgan Reynolds, $24.95. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Norah Piehl (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-931798494 Season of Rage: Racial Conflict in a Small Town John Coop    Did you know that Canada also struggled with racism? In some towns and cities, black children went to different schools than white children. Adults could refuse to sell a home to a black person, and in a restaurant a white owner could refuse to serve a black person. All this began to change when in 1931, Hugh Burnett asked for an ice cream cone at a Chinese restaurant. Hugh was told he would have to eat it in the kitchen. At that moment, Hugh made up his mind to fight racial discrimination. This nonfiction text explains the life of Hugh Burnett and his fight against racial discrimination. The book includes time-lines outlining the Civil Rights Movement and slavery. Teachers and students will find the book a nice addition to a social studies unit on the Civil Rights Movement. 2005, Tundra Books, $9.95. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Mindy Hardwick (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-88776-700-1 Speaking Out: The Civil Rights Movement 1950-1964 Kevin Supples    The 1950s were a time when segregation and unjust laws divided our nation. Supples gives the background of events that lead up to the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement and provides a capsulized view of people, places, and events that changed the course of our nation. He covers the problems and leaders that emerged as a result of the struggle. The most important issue that he stresses is the effort to achieve equality through the courts, through non-violent behavior and voting. Although most African Americans followed the non-violent philosophy, there were some who turned to Malcolm X, who rejected integration and wanted to establish a separate nation. Including the two choices gives a true picture of what was going on during the period 1950-1964. 2006, National Geographic Society, $12.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Leila Toledo (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7922-8279-5 ISBN: 0-7922-8359-7 Stealing Home, Jackie Robinson: Against the Odds Robert Burleigh Illustrations by Mike Wimmer    In this picture book, Robert Burleigh has essentially created two books in one: brief but tantalizing text appears on each page that tells the exciting story in present tense of one instance of Jackie Robinson stealing home, while a separate text box offers interesting details, told in past tense, about Robinson's life, career, and racial struggle to play professional baseball when few blacks did. Younger readers learn of Robinson's "odd, pigeon-toed dance," the "dirt-scumbled and chalk-lined path leading to home plate," and the "visible electricity" in the crowd watching the game. Older readers find out that Robinson was not only a talented baseball player, but he also broke his brother Mack's broad jump record at UCLA and excelled in football, basketball, and even tennis and ping-pong. Included are also lesser known facts about his fight for civil rights: as a youngster in Pasadena, California, he and some of his white friends held a "sit-in" at a lunch counter until they were all served, and as a soldier he protested the U.S. Army's unfair treatment of blacks. The most wonderful feature of this picture book is that it is so compelling and visually alive with motion that even non-sports fans will find plenty to enjoy between its covers. Readers old and young will absorb not only the thrill of the game from the action-packed oil-on-canvas illustrations, but they will also learn important facts about American history and some biographical details about a fascinating and truly extraordinary human being. An excellent companion to the recently published Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America by Sharon Robinson, Jackie's daughter, and Dad, Jackie and Me by Myron Uhlberg and Colin Bootman, this book contributes one more perspective toward a panoramic view of the legend Jackie Robinson. 2007, Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster, Ages 3 to 12, $16.99. Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin ISBN: 978-0-689-86276-2 ISBN: 0-689-86276-8 A Sweet Smell of Roses Angela Johnson Illustrated. by Eric Velasquez    Too often, we forget that ordinary citizens, through their own efforts, can bring about significant change. Yes, it is vitally important to have a leader to galvanize the masses, but without people willing to leave the relative safety of their homes to take part in marches and rallies, change might not come about. In this picture book, two young girls decide to join a peaceful march organized by Martin Luther King, Jr. The words freedom and equality appear frequently. Many of the black and white charcoal drawings have a touch of red which draws your eye to the American flag or the bow on the young girls' teddy bear. The concluding scene of the girls safely home in Mama's arms with the scent of the red roses wafting through the window brings home the message of the sweetness of freedom. The notes by the author and illustrator are worth reading before beginning the book. Angela Johnson is already well recognized and Eric Velasquez was selected as a winner of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe new illustrator award for his first picture book. There is certainly no doubt that he will have a rosy future. 2005, Simon & Schuster, $16.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).    Two young girls (maybe 8 and 9 years old) sneak out of their house early one morning to go downtown and join in a march that is being led by Dr. Martin Luther King. There they join up with other freedom fighters and march through the town towards freedom and equality. Upon their return, their worried (and, no doubt, frantic) mother is relieved to find them safe and sound. When the girls tell her what they did, she smiles with the pride she feels toward her daughters. This testimonial to the young people who walked with their elders during the Civil Rights Movement is illustrated sparingly in charcoal except for an occasional splash of red, meant to remind us of the sweet smell of roses and the good to come from this place and time. 2005, Simon & Schuster, $16.95. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Joan Kindig, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-689-83252-4 This Is the Dream Diane Z. Shore and Jessica Alexander Illustrated by James Ransome    From the very first glimpse of the striking end papers, the reader becomes aware that this is a special book on an oft discussed subject. Using a combination of collages of actual photographs from the era of the Civil Rights Movement, and paintings that convey visual images that complement and enhance the simple, but powerful text, Ransome has succeeded in turning this picture book into a succinct, compelling history lesson. The authors have used plain, straightforward language (in rhymed couplets) to relate the events of the experience of segregation and the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement. Even young readers will feel the impact of the power of this examination of an extremely emotionally charged time in our nation's history. The heroic grace of "an army without guns, but not without strength" (Martin Luther King, Jr., 1964) is shown with honest empathy. The faces in the photographic collages reveal much about the attitudes of the times. The peaceful protests look all the more powerful when juxtaposed against such ugliness. Some of the strongest leaders of the movement are given a place of honor featuring their portraits, but it is in the faces (and actions) of the "everyday" people that we see the courage and determination of those who dreamed of "freedom and justice for all." Children will be able to recognize the injustices of racial prejudice and the need for the changes that have slowly approached giving all of our citizens their rightful place in the nation. This is an important addition for any library. 2006, Harper Collins, $15.99. Ages 5 up. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature).    Rhymes lead to reason in Diane Shore and Jessica Alexander's title. During the first half of the book, verses explain segregation with couplets like: "These are the fountains that stand in the square and the black-and-white signs say who will drink where." The second half of the book uses the same rhyming schemes to depict agents of change who "rallied and answered the call…dreaming of freedom and justice for all." While the book can be used to introduce the past to younger children, James Ransome's illustrations encourage discussion by older students. His strong, bold oils bring out the starkness of situations and strength of those who fought for equality. His interspersed collages make similarly powerful statements, whether he is showing the faces of those who suffered, or blending faces of children to represent the change to equality. 2006, HarperCollins, $15.99. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Susie Wilde (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-06-055519-1 ISBN: 978-0-06-055520-7 ISBN: 0-06-055519-X ISBN: 0-06-055520-3 Thurgood Marshall: Civil Rights Champion Judy Monroe    As part of the series, "Fact Finders," this biography is well written and the format is certainly reader friendly. Historical photographs that add interest and support the text accompany every page. The author also includes boxes in the margins of the pages that contain either quotations or facts. Did you know that from 1940 to 1961, Marshall won 29 of the 32 cases he argued before the Supreme Court? The author selects her words well in describing his life and brings interest and energy to each page. This biography covers all the important turning points in Thurgood's life and shows how he made the right choice when the opportunity presented itself. Included at the back of the book are "Fast Facts," a "Time Line," a "Glossary," "Internet sites," "Read More" and an "Index." All vocabulary words that can be found in the glossary are highlighted. It amazes me how much information is given in just 32 pages. The quotations chosen for this book are great, but my favorite is, "None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody…bent down and helped up pick up our boots." What a great writing prompt that would be! Both boys and girls will find this biography interesting. It would be perfect in a classroom or school library. It can be used as a resource for a research paper or for nonfiction reading. I highly recommend this book because the format is easy to follow and the short chapters will benefit even reluctant readers. 2006, Capstone Press, $22.60. Ages 8 to 11. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7368-4349-3 Time for Kids: Rosa Parks: Civil Rights Pioneer Editors of Time for Kids with Karen Kallaher    Many books have been written about Rosa Parks and her struggle to break social barriers. In this chapter book, there is a brief introduction to slavery, which helps set the stage for the separate-but-equal laws that made life for Blacks not really equal at all. Their schools were inferior, education and job opportunities were practically nonexistent, and life was filled with rules-separate eating and drinking facilities, separate sections on public transportation, unfair tests to be able to gain the right to vote, and more. Rosa Parks resented all of these inequities, and when she took her stand, not giving up her seat, she provided an opportunity for a true challenge to the segregation laws. In the book, Rosa is shown as a hardworking, intelligent woman married to a man who also was actively involved in the NAACP. The book introduces many of the figures who may not be as well know as Martin Luther King, Jr., but who were critical to the carrying out of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the subsequent working of Rosa's case through the courts. Each page contains photographs, fact boxes, and tidbits to make the story of Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights movement truly engaging. A good choice for schools and libraries, and an excellent book for ESL programs. 2007, HarperCollins, Ages 7 to 9, $14.99 and $3.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 978-0-06-057625-7 ISBN: 0-06-057625-1 ISBN: 978-0-06-057624-0 ISBN: 0-06-057624-3 Why Not Every Man?: African Americans and Civil Disobedience in the Quest for the Dream George Hendrick and Willene Hendr    The authors trace the active protest of enslaved and freed African Americans from their arrival on American shores through the Civil Rights Movement to the present day. This smoothly written and accessible narrative explains the concept and the application of civil disobedience over more than three centuries of American history. Basing their account on the experiences of specific African Americans and how they understood and put into practice the ideas of Thoreau, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr., the authors present a powerful overview of how civil disobedience has been an integral part of African American life. Instead of a formal bibliography, there is an excellent "Note on Sources" section arranged chapter by chapter and in paragraph form, an invaluable resource for readers. Category: History, Geography. KLIATT Codes: JSA--Recommended for junior and senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2005, Ivan R. Dee, 246p. illus. notes. index., $14.95. Ages 12 to adult. Reviewer: Patricia Moore (KLIATT Review, September 2005 (Vol. 39, No. 5)). ISBN: 1-56663-609-4 ISBN: 1-56663-645-0 Women of the Civil Rights Movement Stuart Kallen    This excellent coverage of women's role in the Civil Rights Movement is thoroughly illustrated with contemporaneous photographs. An introduction explains the inequalities of segregation and gives the conditions in the 1950s and early1960s that led to the growth of the movement. Chapter One describes the major civil rights organizations in the South and the roles of women, both black and white, within them. The second chapter details the protests by Rosa Parks and others that began to crack the system. In addition to the bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, this chapter tells of the sit-ins at lunch counters, the violence that confronted the Freedom Riders, and the protests staged in hospital waiting rooms and even in jail cells. Chapter Three discusses the role of education in the movement, from the Citizenship Schools that were set up in rooms behind stores and other private spaces to teach illiterate adults to the attempts to integrate public high schools and colleges. The violence that accompanied these attempts to provide better educational opportunities for black citizens is carefully documented. The same kind of violence is documented in the fourth chapter's coverage of the attempts to expand voting rights in the black community. Poll taxes and literacy tests consistently kept African-Americans from being able to register to vote. Black women like Fannie Lou Hamer and Annie Belle Robinson Devine worked within their communities, while white northern college students participating in Freedom Summer in 1964 traveled to Mississippi to help register and teach. Chapter Five discusses the difficulties and successes of black women who were elected to public office from both the North and the South. Chapter Six covers the role of women in the 1960s radical and militant organizations such as the Weather Underground, the Black Panthers, and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) after it was chaired by Stokely Carmichael. The seventh and final chapter treats women's roles in the creativity associated with the movement, from the popularization of songs such as "We Shall Overcome" to the Free Southern Theater that dramatized and educated audiences about the conditions of black citizens. The chapter ends with discussions of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun and Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. The text is followed by notes on the sources used throughout the chapters; a list of books and web sites for further reading; a much more extensive list of books, periodicals and internet sources consulted for the text; and an index. This book is part of the "Women in History" series. 2005, Lucent Books/Thomson Gale, $28.70. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Judy DaPolito (Children's Literature) ISBN: 1590185692 A Wreath for Emmett Till Marilyn Nelson Illustrated by Philippe Lardy    The memory of Emmett Till, the fourteen-year-old African-American boy whose brutal lynching in Mississippi in 1955 shocked the conscience of America and helped trigger awareness of the need for civil rights for all Americans, is honored here in a series of intricately interlocking sonnets. As Nelson explains in her introduction, a "heroic crown of sonnets is a sequence of fifteen interlocked sonnets, in which the last one is made up of the first lines of the preceding fourteen." While the choice to explore the lawless violence of a lynch mob through the strict, classic formalism of the sonnet may seem initially surprising, the overall effect is stunning. The cumulative effect of the sonnets, one following another with the inevitability arising from the linkage of the last line of one with the first line of another, gives Till's tragic death a worthy tribute. It is wonderful to see the now-neglected sonnet form introduced to a new generation of young readers reared only on free verse or Seuss-like doggerel. Helpful, detailed end notes explain the various literary illusions in the sonnets, further educating thoughtful readers--and aspiring writers--in the way that one literary text can illuminate and be illuminated by another. Lardy's striking paintings are also accompanied by an artist's note that explains the way in which he carefully selected his visual images to reflect poetic meanings. Few books for young readers offer this level of sophisticated self-awareness of the creative process--here showing how senseless tragedy can be transformed into redemptive poetry and art. 2005, Houghton Mifflin, $17.00. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Claudia Mills, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Children's Books, 2005; Publishers Weekly; United States Booklist Book Review Stars , Feb. 1, 2005; United States Children's Editor's Choice, 2005; Kirkus Reviews; Top 10; United States Kirkus Book Review Stars, March 1, 2005; United States Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, April 11, 2005; Cahners; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, May 2005; Cahners; United States SLJ Best Books, 2005; Cahners; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Boston Globe--Horn Book Awards Honor Book 2005 Fiction and Poetry United States Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award Honor, 2006; United States Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book, 2006; United States ISBN: 0-618-39752-3 To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here.