I have put together this list of children’s books about the Civil Rights Movement for Black History Month or just for general learning! Our family has read everyone of these books and has gleaned something valuable from each.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive, printable Black History Month book list, you can go here!
If you’d like a list of posts about different topics in black history, you can go here!
I Am Rosa Parks (Rosa Parks)
Rosa Parks’ autobiographical description of her early life to the moment that defined the Civil Rights Movement — her refusal to give up her seat to a white man.
The Watsons Go To Birmingham 1963 (Christopher Paul Curtis)
The Watson family travels from their home in Michigan to family in Alabama and arrive just in time for one of the darkest moments in American history.
Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down (Andrea Davis Pinkney)
A description of four college students who staged a peaceful protest, later called Woolworth’s lunch counter sit-in.
If A Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks (Faith Ringgold)
The bus tells the story of a woman named Rosa Parks who stood up for her freedom.
Back of the Bus (Aaron Reynolds)
A young boy on Rosa Parks’ bus witnesses her protest and arrest.
Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation (Andrea Davis Pinkney)
A rhythmic tribute to Rosa Parks and all of the men and women who participated in the Montgomery bus boycott.
Our Children Can Soar (Michelle Cook)
The tracing of black history from the Civil Rights Movement to the election of the first black president, Barack Obama.
What Was the March on Washington? (Kathleen Krull)
A fact-filled short chapter book about the March on Washington’s roll in the Civil Rights Movement.
Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March (Lynda Blackmon Lowery)
The memoir of Lynda Blackmon Lowery, the youngest person to march from Selma to Montgomery alongside MLK.
We March (Shane W. Evans)
A moving account of the March on Washington on August 28, 1963, which culminated with MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
A Sweet Smell of Roses (Angela Johnson)
Two young girls sneak out of their house to see people gathering for a Civil Rights march.
Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (Jonah Winter)
Published to celebrate the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a 100-year-old black woman reflects on the events that ultimately gave her the right to vote.
The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage (Selina Also)
The story of the Loving family, whose case for interracial marriage went to the Supreme Court and enacted nationwide change.
March: Book One (John Lewis)
A graphic novel written by activist John Lewis about his role in the Civil Rights movement. If you enjoy the first one, don’t miss books two and three.
The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist (Cynthia Levinson and Vanessa Brantley-Newton)
Nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks participated in a civil rights protest and is the youngest known child to be arrested for her activism.
We Shall Overcome: The Story of a Song (Debbie Levy)
An informative tribute to the so-called African-American national anthem, traced from its roots in slavery all the way through the Civil Rights Movement.
Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop (Alice Faye Duncan)
A fictional portrayal of young Lorraine Jackson, whose father participated in the Memphis sanitation strike shortly before MLK’s assassination.
Melody: No Ordinary Sound (Denise Lewis Patrick)
The fictional story of Melody, a young girl growing up in Michigan during the Civil Rights Movement in 1964.
Let The Children March (Monica Clark-Robinson)
The true story of thousands of black children who wanted to march for their own rights during the Civil Rights Movement.
I hope this list of children’s books about the Civil Rights Movement is helpful as you delve deeper into this incredible part of history! Do you have any more suggestions that I missed? I’d love for you to share them in the comments below!