Books About Segregation · 81 titles considered

The Best Segregation Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about segregation? 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 10 Favorite Books About Segregation

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

The Parker Inheritance

By Varian Johnson

A hidden letter reveals a mystery and a fortune. Can Candice and Brandon solve it before it's lost forever?

Coretta Scott King Honor (2019)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2018)Cybils Award (2018)Odyssey Honor (2019)

368 pages· 84,464 words· Est. 11.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 9,341 ratings

Paperback

Summary: Candice stumbles upon a mysterious letter in her grandmother's attic in Lambert, South Carolina. It hints at a long-buried injustice and a hidden fortune. With Brandon, the boy next door, she embarks on a quest to unravel the town's dark past. As they delve into history, they uncover secrets that could change their lives. Will they solve the puzzle before time erases the truth?

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

Stella by Starlight

By Sharon M. Draper

A young girl confronts prejudice and fear as the Klan resurfaces in her town.

320 pages· 51,587 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 15,677 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1932 Bumblebee, North Carolina, young Stella witnesses a terrifying act by the Ku Klux Klan. As her segregated town is engulfed in fear, she must find the courage to challenge the prejudice threatening her community. With her world turned upside down, Stella learns that standing up for change is the only way forward. Can she ignite hope amidst the ashes of fear and hatred?

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

My Year in the Middle

By Lila Quintero Weaver

In 1970 Alabama, Lu's running talent challenges racial divides and tests her friendships.

288 pages· 51,110 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 817 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1970 Alabama, sixth-grader Lu Olivera navigates a racially divided classroom where her talent for running track sparks tension. As her old friends change and new friendships with fellow runner Belinda Gresham seem impossible due to racial barriers, Lu faces a choice. With political tensions rising, Lu must decide whether to stand up against the racial divide or remain neutral. Can she find the courage to choose friends who share her values and challenge the status quo? Discover Lu's journey as she races against more than just time.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1995

The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963

By Christopher Paul Curtis

A family's road trip leads them into a pivotal moment in history.

Newbery Honor (1996)Coretta Scott King Honor (1996)Golden Kite Award (1996)

210 pages· 50,367 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 71,764 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Join ten-year-old Kenny and the Watson family on a road trip from Flint, Michigan, to Birmingham, Alabama. As they journey south, they unknowingly approach a turning point in the civil rights movement. Amidst the laughter and challenges, the Watsons face a world-changing event that tests their resilience and unity. Will their bond be enough to navigate the darkness ahead? Discover how humor and family ties can illuminate even the darkest paths.

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1995

The Story of Ruby Bridges

By Robert Coles, George Ford (Illustrator)

A young girl integrates a white elementary school in New Orleans in the 1960s.

32 pages· 1,014 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

5.8/7 Bookroo·4.4/5 Goodreads · 13,023 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In 1960 New Orleans, six-year-old Ruby Bridges bravely steps into an all-white school, facing angry mobs and racial hostility. As the first African American student at William Frantz Elementary, Ruby's courage and resilience challenge a divided society. Will her strength inspire change, or will the weight of prejudice prove too great? Her story of hope and determination continues to echo through the decades, reminding us of the power of one child's bravery in the face of overwhelming odds.

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2020

A Ride to Remember

By Sharon Langley, Amy Nathan, Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

A carousel ride becomes a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights movement.

40 pages· 1,745 words· Est. 14 min read-aloud

5.5/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 411 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1963, young Sharon Langley made history as the first African American child to ride a desegregated carousel at Gwynn Oak Amusement Park. On the same day as Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic March on Washington, her ride symbolized a community's triumph over segregation. As protests and unity opened the park to all, Sharon's experience became a beacon of hope and change. Discover how one ride echoed the dreams of a nation striving for equality. What possibilities did this moment unlock for future generations?

Sale price

$1597

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2005

Grandmama's Pride

By Becky Birtha, Colin Bootman (Illustrator)

A young girl confronts segregation during a summer visit to the South.

Golden Kite Honor (2006)

32 pages· 1,575 words· Est. 13 min read-aloud

5.5/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 125 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In the summer of 1956, six-year-old Sarah Marie visits her grandmother in the South, where she encounters the harsh realities of segregation. As she learns to read, the signs and rules around her reveal a world she never knew. Will the South ever change? A year later, Sarah Marie returns to find a different landscape, sparking hope and questions about progress and equality. Join her journey of discovery and resilience in a time of transformation.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 2010

Rosa's Bus

By jo-s-kittinger, Steven Walker (Illustrator)

A bus witnesses a pivotal stand against segregation, sparking a historic boycott.

40 pages· 1,025 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

4.2/5 Goodreads · 191 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Experience the Montgomery Bus Boycott through the eyes of Bus #2857. When Rosa Parks refuses to surrender her seat, a movement ignites, challenging segregation and altering history. As passengers choose to walk for 382 days, the bus narrates this courageous stand for justice. Discover the power of collective action and the enduring impact of one woman's defiance in this beautifully illustrated tale of resilience and change.

Sale price

$759

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1996

White Socks Only

By Evelyn Coleman, Tyrone Geter (Illustrator) · Albert Whitman Prairie Paperback series

A girl defies segregation by drinking from a 'Whites Only' fountain, sparking unexpected consequences.

32 pages· 1,498 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud

4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,125 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In the segregated South, a young girl in Mississippi believes her white socks allow her to drink from a 'Whites Only' fountain. Her innocent defiance on a scorching day ignites a powerful stand against hatred. As she steps up to the fountain, the air crackles with the potential for change. Will her bravery and a touch of magic overcome the barriers of prejudice? This evocative tale captures the heat and spirit of a pivotal moment, where courage and innocence challenge the status quo.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 7–11 · 2010

Ruth and the Green Book

By Calvin Alexander Ramsey, Gwen Strauss, Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

A family navigates a perilous journey with a guide to safe havens during a time of racial injustice.

Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (2011)

32 pages· 1,494 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 2,519 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Ruth embarks on a road trip with her family in the 1950s, only to face the harsh realities of racial discrimination. As they travel from Chicago to Alabama, they encounter hostility and closed doors. But hope arrives in the form of The Green Book, a guide listing safe places for Black travelers. With this lifeline and the kindness of strangers, Ruth's family strives to reach their destination. Will they find safety and acceptance on their journey? Discover the power of resilience and community in a world divided by prejudice.

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Browse by age

Segregation Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about segregation for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price

$1799

The United States v. Jackie Robinson

Ages 4–8 · 2018

A soldier defies segregation, facing trial for standing up for justice.

Sale price

$899

Rosa

Ages 4–8 · 2005

A woman's quiet defiance ignites a movement for justice.

Sale price

$1799

New Shoes

Ages 6–9 · 2014

A girl faces discrimination at a shoe store and plans to change her community's future.

Sale price

$1899

I Am Ruby Bridges

Ages 4–8 · 2022

A six-year-old girl bravely integrates a school, changing history forever.

Sale price

$1699

This Is the Dream

Ages 4–8 · 2005

Witness the journey from segregation to equality through the eyes of those who dared to dream.

Sale price

$1999

Opening the Road

Ages 4–8 · 2021

A guide transforms travel for Black Americans during segregation, ensuring safety and freedom on the road.

Sale price

$1999

Uncle Jed's Barbershop

Ages 4–8 · 1993

A barber dreams of his own shop amidst 1920s segregation and setbacks.

Sale price

$1899

When Marian Sang

Ages 7–10 · 2002

A singer's voice defies barriers at a historic concert.

Sale price

$1899

Freedom Summer

Ages 4–8 · 2001

Two friends face racism when a new law challenges old prejudices.

Sale price

$1899

Sit-In

Ages 7–10 · 2010

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

Sale price

$1799

Ron's Big Mission

Ages 6–8 · 2009

A boy's quest for a library card challenges segregation in 1950s South Carolina.

Sale price

$1899

Hector

Ages 8–11 · 2019

A boy's tragic death during a protest sparks change in apartheid-era South Africa.

View all segregation picture books

Browse by age

Segregation Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about segregation for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$1799

The Colors of the Rain

Ages 10–14 · 2018

A boy confronts family secrets and racial tensions in 1972 Houston.

Sale price

$899

The Lions of Little Rock

Ages 10–+ · 2012

In 1958 Little Rock, two friends defy segregation to reclaim their bond.

Sale price

$1699

Armstrong & Charlie

Ages 10–12 · 2017

Two boys from different worlds face sixth grade's challenges, forging an unexpected bond amidst rivalry and change.

Series

Sale price

$599

Who Was Maya Angelou?

Ages 8–11 · 2016

From hardship to global acclaim, a woman's journey defies the odds.

#7 in Series

Sale price

$999

Satch & Me

Ages 8–12 · 2006

Can time travel reveal the fastest pitch ever thrown?

Sale price

$1699

Root Magic

Ages 9–12 · 2021

In 1963, Jez faces supernatural threats and discovers her family's powerful magic legacy.

Sale price

$1799

This Promise of Change

Ages 10–12 · 2019

Twelve students integrate a high school, facing escalating tensions and personal challenges.

Series

Sale price

$599

Who Was Nelson Mandela?

Ages 8–12 · 2013

A biography of Nelson Mandela, from his childhood to his presidency of South Africa, highlighting his fight against apartheid and his efforts to bring about equality and justice to his country.