Books

A Thousand Never Evers  by Shana Burg, 301 pages, ISBN: 978-0-385-73470-7, Age level: 9-12

This fictional book about Addie Ann Pickett in Kuckachoo, Mississippi in 1963 portrays the excitement and confusion experienced by a little girl during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Addie is a young girl experiencing what little girls do – teasing by an older brother and school problems. But her life changes when her brother disappears. Addie is confused and struggles to understand the events swirling about her. Relationships are tested and injustices are brought to light.

Check it out from your local library! Pioneerland library system - www.pioneerland.lib.mn.us/members.htm

or purchase at Barnes and Noble at

search.barnesandnoble.com/A-Thousand-Never-Evers/Shana-Burg/e/9780385734707/

Witnesses to Freedom, Young People Who Fought for Civil Rights by Belinda Rochelle, 97 pages,  ISBN: 0-525-67377-6, Age level: 9 - 12

This non-fictional book includes historical facts as well as personal testimonies of people involved in the Civil Rights Movement. It acknowledges the fact that the movement wasn’t just about the leaders, it was many people working together – black and white, students, ministers, old and young – to achieve common goals. It includes many personal and public photos of the times and is a great source of primary information.

See Witnesses To Freedom Lesson Plan by classmate Katie Templin.

Leon’s Story, by Leon Walter Tillage, 107 pages, ISBN: 0-374-44330-0, Age level: 9 - 12

This autobiography tells Leon’s story growing up in North Carolina in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Its simple tale describes events and incidents that were commonplace at the time but show the horror of racism when viewed today. The book does not contain any photos; it has original collage art by Susan L. Roth. It is an easy read for younger students.

Available at Amazon at  www.amazon.com/Leons-Story-Sunburst-Walter-Tillage/dp/0374443300/ref=sr_1_1

Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals, 226 pages, ISBN: 1-4169-4882-1, Age level:

young adult

Ever wonder about the “Little Rock Nine” and who they were and what their story was? This book is an autobiographical account of the year Melba spent as one of those students at Little Rock’s Central High School. Her incredible story is honest, explicit, courageous, and heart breaking. It includes 8 pages of photographs. Warning: Chapter 2 includes a description of an attempted molestation and physical violence that may be too intense for young readers.

Available at Barnes and Noble at: search.barnesandnoble.com/Warriors-Dont-Cry/Melba-Patitllo-Beals/e/9781416948827/

White Socks Only by Evelyn Coleman, 30 pages, ISBN: 0-8075-8955-1, Age level: 4 - 8

This fictional picture book tells the tale of a young girl who uses a “whites only” fountain in Mississippi. It is told as a recollection of a grandmother to her granddaughter about the segregation that existed during her time as a child.

This book could be used to introduce the subject of segregation to young readers (K-3). It could also be used as an example for older readers to use in creating their own civil rights book.

Purchase at Amazon at www.amazon.com/White-Socks-Only-Evelyn-Coleman/dp/080758956X/ref=sr_1_1 or check out from your local library!

A Sweet Smell of Roses  by Angela Johnson, 32 pages, ISBN: 0-689-83252-4, Age level: 4 - 8

This book is described as a tribute to the thousands of children who participated in the Civil Rights Movement. It tells the story of two girls who run to town and get caught up in a march led by Martin Luther King Jr. The illustrations by Eric Velasquez are incredible.

This book could be used to inform students that young people were part of the movement; be tied to an art lesson on the times; or used by older students to read to younger ones as part of their lesson on civil rights.

Purchase at Barnes and Noble at  search.barnesandnoble.com/A-Sweet-Smell-of-Roses/Angela-Johnson/e/9781416953616/ or check out from your local library!

Other Lesson Plans

The National Endowment for Humanities offers a unit on the Civil Rights Movement for grades 9 - 12 at edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp

The National Archives offers several lesson plans for various ages at www.archives.gov/education/lessons/postwar-us.html

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has numerous resources and lessons at www.alabamamoments.state.al.us/Contents.html

Witnesses To Freedom Lesson Plan by classmate Katie Templin.

Oh Freedom Making Predictions Lesson 

Oh Freedom Media Literacy Lesson

Oh Freedom Citizen Action Plan

Oh Freedom Vocabulary Activities

Images can be viewed at Oh Freedom Images

Oh, Freedom! 

Oh Freedom Lesson Plan

NCSS Ten Themes