
This civil rights book examines the little-known Tennessee’s Fayette County Tent City Movement in the late 1950s and reveals what is possible when people unite and fight for the right to vote. Powerfully conveyed through interconnected stories and told through the eyes of a child, this book combines poetry, prose, and rich illustrations to shine light on this forgotten history.
Evicted!: The Struggle for the Right to Vote

The story of American slavery through the voice of a teacher struggling to help her students understand its harrowing history. From the fireside tales in an African village, through the unspeakable passage across the Atlantic, to the backbreaking work in the fields of the South, this is a story of a people’s struggle and strength, horror and hope. A testament to the resilience of the African American community, this book honors what has been and envisions what is to be.
An American Story

Ethel Payne always had an ear for stories. Seeking truth, justice, and equality, Ethel followed stories from her school newspaper in Chicago to Japan during World War II. It even led her to the White House briefing room, where she broke barriers as the only black female journalist. Ethel wasn’t afraid to ask the tough questions of presidents, elected officials, or anyone else in charge, earning her the title, “First Lady of the Black Press.”
The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne

Letter by letter, this picture book celebrates a story that spans continents and centuries, triumph and heartbreak, creativity and joy. It’s a story of big ideas — P is for Power, S is for Science and Soul. Of significant moments — G is for Great Migration. Of iconic figure — H is for Zora Neale Hurston, X is for Malcom X. In addition to rhyming text, the book includes back matter with information on the events, places, and people mentioned in the poem, from Mae Jemison to W. E. B. Du Bois, Fannie Lou Hamer to Sam Cooke, and the Little Rock Nine to DJ Kool Herc.
The ABCs of Black History

You’ve heard the names Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King, but what about the many other women who were crucial to the Civil Rights Movement? Told through twelve short biographies, this book celebrates just some of the many Black women — each of whom has been largely underrepresented until now — who were instrumental to the nation’s fight for civil rights and the contributions they made in driving the movement forward.
Justice Rising: 12 Amazing Black Women in the Civil Rights Movement

Maya Angelou was the first Black poet and the first woman to recite poetry at a Presidential Inauguration. Her life is introduced in free verse and realistic collage to evoke the poet and her work. A timeline and notes from the award-winning author and illustrator conclude this memorable portrait.
Maya’s Song

Emmett Till was only 14 years old when he was murdered in 1955 in the South. His mother demanded her son be sent home to Chicago. “It was the braver thing that changed everything.” Mamie became an activist for social justice that helped launch the Civil Rights Movement. Lyrical text and expressive cut-paper illustrations convey the haunting story made accessible to sophisticated younger readers.
Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement

When Mac opens his copy of a book by Jane Yolen, he discovers that there are words that have been blacked out with a permanent marker. When he and his friends set out to find out what and who don’t want them to read these words, it begins a journey of true self-discovery and activism. Based on actual events experienced by the author’s son, this remarkable novel is sure to generate important discussion.
Attack of the Black Rectangles

Bentley met and married Swift Deer. One had escaped slavery, the other had escaped the Trail of Tears. Together they had a beautiful daughter named Magnolia who fell in love with a man, John, that her father did not approve of, so Magnolia and John fled Florida to be together. Rich illustrations add depth to the capable retelling of the Hurston short story, now made accessible to younger audiences.
Magnolia Flower

Carnegie Hall opened in 1891 to become the site in New York where everyone from Duke Ellington to Bob Dylan performed. Stern was not only a violin virtuoso, but he was also an effective community organizer who worked tirelessly to save the grand hall in the face of great opposition. His tenacity and music swirl throughout the lively illustrations and carefully crafted language. Additional information is appended.
The Greatest Song of All: How Isaac Stern United the World to Save Carnegie Hall

Can one small child with one small seed and a big wish change the world? Maybe they can. Lush, delicate illustrations and a gently rhyming text depict a child as a seed is planted in an arid environment, and from that seed grows more plants with seeds. “They say you can’t change the world…/But help things grow, you never know…/…maybe you might.”
Maybe You Might

Based on the true story of one family’s struggle for voting rights in the civil rights-era South, this story shines an emotional spotlight on a dark facet of U.S. history. One morning, when Granddaddy heads into town in his fancy suit, Michael knows that something very special must be happening — and sure enough, everyone is lined up at the town hall! For the very first time, Granddaddy is allowed to vote, and he couldn’t be more proud.
Granddaddy’s Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box

Featuring Woodrow G. Washingtail, a civic-minded mouse with presidential ambitions, readers will follow Woodrow as he runs for president of the United Mice of America — introducing children to campaigning, elections, volunteering, and more.
Woodrow for President: A Tail of Voting, Campaigns, and Elections

The descendant of Cherokee ancestors who had been forced to walk the Trail of Tears, Wilma Mankiller experienced her own forced removal from the land she grew up on as a child. As she got older and learned more about the injustices her people had faced, she dedicated her life to instilling pride in Native heritage and reclaiming Native rights. She went on to become the first woman Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.
She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller

What makes an activist? The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Tennessee in 1968 so effected young Kathlyn, she started tirelessly working to improve the lives of African Americans and make MLK’s birthday a national holiday. She tells her own story in verse, contextualized by the time in which she lived
Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round

Juneteenth’s story started long before it was celebrated. The history of this now widely recognized celebration is presented in measured, accessible, and informative text and colorful illustrations. An afterword by the author reveals her connection to Junteenth.
The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States

The Children’s Terra Carta is introduced in stunning illustrations by 33 artists. A foreword by The Prince of Wales is followed by four sections (nature, people, planet, and the Terra Carta, UK’s document to address climate change). Double page spreads of text and art invite and encourage readers’ engagement.
It’s Up to Us: Building a Brighter Future

It was said that Fatima al-Fihri’s first word was “read.” Not surprisingly, it was this 9th century girl who grew up to start a university for all in Morocco. Beautifully illustrated and simply told, Fatima’s story continues into current times.
One Wish

This book sharesthe stories of 16 trailblazing Asian Americans. The stories bring to life Vietnam Memorial architect Maya Lin, Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, musician Yo-Yo Ma, astronaut Ellison Onizuka, anchorwoman Lisa Ling, activists Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz, and more! Among these biographies, readers will find heroes, discover role models, and meet ordinary people who did extraordinary things. Whether they were breaking Olympic records, bringing education to millions of people around the world, or speaking up for the rights of others, these Asian Americans broke stereotypes and took a stand to make the world a better place.
Asian-Americans Who Inspire Us

Inspired by the Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, this picture book celebrates a church whose doors are open to all. On Sunday morning, we gather together. We are every color. Every age. Rich and poor. Our church is open, affirming, and accepting. We believe in love instead of hate. There’s room for everyone! This book celebrates a spiritual community that embraces all people ― no matter their age, race, class, gender identity, or sexual orientation―in love and faith.
A Church for All

Filled with saturated colors and vivid illustrations, this picture book uses rhyming couplets to convey the fun and exuberant feelings assocated with a pride parade for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and families … “Rainbow arches/Joyful marches/Motors roaring/Spirits soaring.” The diversity shown at the pride parade is realistic; both homosexual and heterosexual people, young and old, are depicted as well as individuals, couples, and families. A reading guide provides explanations for the images and text and a “Note to Parents and Caregivers” offers suggestions for talking to children about LGBT families.
This Day in June

A powerful true story that introduces young readers to the history of the Stonewall Inn and its role in the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. The 1969 raid of the inn empowered members of the LGBTQ+ community to protest and demand their equal rights as citizens of the United States.
Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution

Discover how 40 influential Latinas became the women we celebrate today in this collection of short biographies from all over Latin America and the U.S. From Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to singer Selena Quintanilla to NASA’s first virtual reality engineer, Evelyn Miralles, this is a book for aspiring artists, scientists, activists, and more.
Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers

Ida B. Wells was an educator, journalist, feminist, businesswoman, newspaper owner, public speaker, suffragist, civil rights activist, and women’s club leader. She was a founder of the NAACP, the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, the Alpha Suffrage Club, and the Negro Fellowship League. She wrote, spoke, and traveled, challenging the racist and sexist norms of her time.