Books About Nonviolence

The Best Nonviolence Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about nonviolence? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 7 Favorite Books About Nonviolence

Sit-In
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 2010

Sit-In

By Andrea Davis Pinkney

Four students defy segregation with a simple order, sparking a pivotal civil rights protest.

Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (2011)
40 pages· 1,468 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud
4.3 Goodreads · 2,421 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: On February 1, 1960, four college students sit at a 'whites only' Woolworth's counter, ordering just a doughnut and coffee. Their peaceful protest challenges racial segregation, igniting a movement for equality. Inspired by Dr. King's call for nonviolence, these young men embody hope and determination, becoming symbols of change. This powerful story captures a defining moment in the civil rights struggle, where courage and conviction meet at a lunch counter, forever altering the course of history. What will their simple act of defiance inspire next?
Martin's Big Words
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2001

Martin's Big Words

By Doreen Rappaport, Bryan Collier (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the A Big Words Book series

Discover the powerful journey of a leader who preached love over hate.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2001)Caldecott Honor (2002)Coretta Scott King Honor (2002)Jane Addams Children's Book Award (2002)Orbis Pictus Honor (2002)
40 pages· 684 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
5.3/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 12,916 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Explore the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a visionary who rose from the segregated South to lead a movement with his powerful words. Inspired by his parents' beliefs in equality, he became a minister, championing love and justice. Through vibrant collage art and his own speeches, this book captures his enduring legacy and the profound impact of his message. What challenges did he face, and how did his words change the world? Dive into this compelling story of courage and hope.
Chasing King's Killer
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 12–17 · 2018

Chasing King's Killer

By James L. Swanson

A civil rights leader's life ends in tragedy, revealing the impact of one man's actions on history.

384 pages· 42,176 words· Est. 4 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 1,495 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s rise as a civil rights leader is marked by peaceful protests and powerful speeches. Yet, his life is cut short by James Earl Ray, a racist escapee. This gripping account delves into the dark events leading to King's assassination, exploring the profound impact of his loss on history. With vivid details and over 80 photographs, the narrative transports readers to a pivotal moment in American history, raising questions about the power of one individual to change the course of events. Discover the chilling story behind a nation's tragedy.
I Am Rosa Parks
Sale price
$474
Chapter Book · Ages 8–9 · 1997

I Am Rosa Parks

By Rosa Parks, Jim Haskins, Wil Clay (Illustrator)

A single act of defiance ignites a movement for justice and equality.

48 pages· 1,560 words· Est. 13 min read
4.0 Goodreads · 313 ratings
$4.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: On December 1, 1955, a courageous woman refuses to surrender her bus seat, igniting a pivotal boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. Her defiance challenges segregation and propels the civil rights movement into the national spotlight. Discover the story of her life, from childhood struggles to the moment that changed history, and explore the profound impact of her actions. What drove her to stand firm, and how did her bravery reshape a nation? This powerful narrative reveals the enduring legacy of one woman's fight for justice and equality.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sale price
$2409
Picture Book · Ages 5–7 · 1997

Martin Luther King, Jr.

By Peter Roop, Connie Roop · Lives and Times series

Discover the power of nonviolent resistance in the fight for equality.

24 pages· 629 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
3.6 Goodreads · 5 ratings
$25.36Save 5%
Library Binding
Summary: Explore the life of a Baptist minister whose nonviolent civil disobedience transformed the civil rights movement. Through vivid illustrations and primary sources, uncover how his philosophy challenged injustice and inspired change. What drove his unwavering commitment to equality, and how did his actions shape history? Dive into this compelling biography to find out.
The Split History of the Civil Rights Movement
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2014

The Split History of the Civil Rights Movement

By Nadia Higgins

Civil rights activists clash with segregationists in a battle for equality and justice in the 1950s South.

64 pages· 4,254 words· Est. 29 min read
3.8 Goodreads · 22 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In 19th-century New York, a group of determined women challenge societal norms, demanding the right to vote. Their struggle spans decades, facing ridicule and resistance from both men and women. Will their relentless pursuit of equality prevail against the tide of opposition?
Cesar Chavez
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2001

Cesar Chavez

By Ginger Wadsworth, Mark Schroder (Illustrator) · On My Own Biography series

A man challenges injustice, leading a peaceful fight for workers' rights.

48 pages· 1,619 words· Est. 14 min read
3.7 Goodreads · 18 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In the harsh era of the Great Depression, Cesar Chavez emerges as a beacon of hope for exploited farm workers. Witness his relentless pursuit of justice as he forms a union, leading nonviolent strikes and marches to demand fair wages and humane conditions. Can one man's vision ignite a movement powerful enough to change lives without resorting to violence? Discover the inspiring journey of a leader who dared to dream of equality.
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