Books About The Civil Rights Movement

The Best The Civil Rights Movement Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about the civil rights movement? 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.

Brown Girl Dreaming
The Lions of Little Rock
Who Was Rosa Parks?
Book One
Graphic Nov.
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About The Civil Rights Movement

Brown Girl Dreaming
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2014

Brown Girl Dreaming

By Jacqueline Woodson

A young girl finds her voice amidst the echoes of Jim Crow and Civil Rights awakening.

Coretta Scott King Award (2015)Newbery Medal (2015)Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2015)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award (2015)
366 pages· 30,215 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 94,538 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Summary: In the 1960s and 1970s, a young girl navigates life between South Carolina and New York, feeling caught between two worlds. Through evocative poetry, she captures the struggle of growing up African American during the Civil Rights era. Despite challenges with reading, her passion for storytelling ignites, leading her to discover her voice. Each poem offers a glimpse into her journey of self-discovery and resilience, as she seeks her place in a divided world. Will she find where she truly belongs?
Let the Children March
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2018

Let the Children March

By Monica Clark-Robinson, Frank Morrison (Illustrator)

Children march for civil rights, challenging segregation in 1963 Birmingham.

Coretta Scott King Award (2019)
40 pages· 892 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.6/5 Goodreads · 2,109 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Summary: In 1963 Birmingham, young African Americans, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., bravely march against segregation. Facing hostility and danger, these children fight for equality, determined to change their world. Will their courage be enough to dismantle the barriers of hate and fear? Experience this pivotal moment in history through vivid storytelling and powerful imagery.
March On!
Picture Book · 2008

March On!

Witness a historic speech that changed a nation.

32 pages· 1,790 words
4.3/5 Goodreads · 354 ratings
Summary: Join Martin Luther King Jr. on a pivotal day in Washington, D.C., where he leads a monumental demonstration and delivers a speech that echoes through history. What dreams will be realized?
The Lions of Little Rock
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2012

The Lions of Little Rock

By Kristin Levine

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

320 pages· 65,787 words· Est. 9 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 20,962 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Summary: In 1958 Little Rock, Marlee's world shifts when she befriends Liz, a bold new girl. But when Liz vanishes amid rumors of passing for white, Marlee faces a choice: accept the status quo or fight for their friendship. As they confront the harsh realities of segregation, Marlee and Liz must navigate the dangers threatening their families and their bond. Will their courage be enough to overcome the barriers of their time?
Choosing Brave
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2022

Choosing Brave

By Angela Joy, Janelle Washington (Illustrator)

A mother's grief ignites a civil rights movement.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2023)Caldecott Medal (2023)Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award (2023)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award (2023)
64 pages· 1,767 words· Est. 15 min read
4.7/5 Goodreads · 1,115 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Summary: Mamie Till-Mobley, devastated by her son Emmett's brutal murder, transforms her sorrow into a powerful force for justice. Her courage and determination bring Emmett's story to the forefront, challenging a nation to confront its conscience. How does one woman's love and resilience spark a movement that changes history?
Who Was Rosa Parks?
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010

Who Was Rosa Parks?

By Yona Zeldis McDonough, Who HQ, Stephen Marchesi (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

A biography of Rosa Parks, a civil rights activist who refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott and becoming a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement

112 pages· 8,123 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 2,190 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Summary: In 1955 Montgomery, Rosa Parks' refusal to surrender her bus seat sparks a nationwide civil rights movement. Her courageous stand challenges racial injustice and earns her the title 'Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.' Discover how one woman's bravery changed history.
The ABCs of Black History
Sale price
$1398
Picture Book · Ages 5–12 · 2020

The ABCs of Black History

By Rio Cortez, Lauren Semmer (Illustrator)

Explore Black history through an alphabet of triumph, creativity, and iconic figures.

64 pages· 1,411 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud
4.7/5 Goodreads · 1,079 ratings
$14.95Save 6%
Summary: Journey through the alphabet with 'The ABCs of Black History,' celebrating triumphs, creativity, and iconic figures like Zora Neale Hurston and Malcolm X. Each letter unveils a story of power, science, and soul, spanning continents and centuries. Discover significant moments like the Great Migration and delve into the lives of influential people from Mae Jemison to the Little Rock Nine. This unique ABC book offers hope and love, with rhyming text and detailed back matter to enrich your understanding of Black history and culture.
Book One
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 13–16 · 2013

Book One

By John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the March series

A civil rights icon's journey from rural Alabama to Congress unfolds in a graphic novel.

Coretta Scott King Award (2014)
128 pages· 7,231 words· Est. 54 min read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 58,124 ratings
$14.95Save 6%
Summary: Follow John Lewis from his humble beginnings on an Alabama farm to the forefront of the civil rights movement. In 'March,' Lewis recounts his pivotal meeting with Martin Luther King Jr., the rise of the Nashville Student Movement, and the fight against segregation through nonviolent protests. This graphic novel captures the highs and lows of a struggle that reshaped America, culminating in a powerful stand at City Hall. Will the echoes of this movement inspire new generations to continue the fight for justice?
A Place to Land
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 2018

A Place to Land

By Barry Wittenstein, Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator)

Discover the untold story behind Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic speech and its unexpected creation.

48 pages· 1,401 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud
4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,048 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Summary: On the eve of the 1963 March on Washington, Martin Luther King Jr. wrestles with finding the perfect ending for his speech. In a hotel room, amidst advisors and uncertainty, he crafts the legendary "I Have a Dream" speech. Uncover the surprising journey of these historic words and the pivotal moment that changed history. How did a speech not meant to be heard become a beacon of hope? This gripping tale reveals the struggle and triumph behind a defining moment in the civil rights movement.
Strange Fruit
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 5–12 · 2017

Strange Fruit

By Gary Golio, Charlotte Riley-Webb (Illustrator)

A jazz singer performs a powerful protest song that sparks outrage and inspires change in the 1930s

40 pages· 2,291 words· Est. 18 min read-aloud
4.2/5 Goodreads · 560 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Summary: In the 1930s, Billie Holiday, a jazz singer from poverty, and Abel Meeropol, a Jewish immigrant's son, unite to create 'Strange Fruit.' This haunting song confronts racism, leaving audiences silent and igniting the Civil Rights movement. How did this powerful collaboration transform their lives and the world?
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