Bessie Smith and the Night Riders by Sue Stauffacher

Based on a real incident that happened near Concord, N.C., this story about Bessie Smith will fit well into the 8th grade social studies curriculum as a picture book for older readers. In 1927 Bessie Smith was touring the country by rail. She was performing in a tent outside of Concord when night riders from the Klan showed up and tried to scare her off. She "cussed" them and refused to leave, so they gave up and left her alone. The author embelishes the facts a bit, using a young girl who admires Bessie's singing as the main character and adding some dramatic fictional events around the edges of the true story. Bright, swirling, colorful illustrations will also attract readers.

5,000 Miles to Freedom : Ellen and William Craft's Flight from Slavery by Judith Bloom Fradin and Dennis Brindell Fradin

The remarkable story of William and Ellen Craft's daring escape from slavery comes alive in this exciting account of their lives and adventures. Ellen Craft's father was her white master and she could "pass" for white. She dressed as a Southern gentleman while her husband William posed as her slave. Together they made their perilous way to the North and then to England, returning to the United States only after the Civil War was over. The Fradins succeed in conveying the fear the Crafts felt and the danger they were in during the journey north. The book also gives a good description of their lives once they lived on free soil. Always in danger of being captured by slave hunters who were sanctioned by the Fugitive Slave Acts, these brave souls traveled and lectured extensively about slavery and its evils. There is dialogue in the book which is taken directly from their own book about their escape. Also included are period photographs, drawings and engravings, and actual newspaper accounts about the Crafts. Well-researched and well written, this book belongs in every middle school collection. It correlates well with the 8th grade social studies curriculum and is perfect for Black history studies. An ALA Notable Book.

Freedom Riders : John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement

By focusing on two participants in the historic Freedom Rides, one black and one white, this account of a landmark civil rights movement is at once personal and universal. Lewis, now a Congressman from Georgia, and Zwerg, a retired preacher and businessman, came from different worlds. Their paths crossed in Nashville, Tennessee, when, as young college students, they were part of the sit-in movement there. They became dedicated to demonstrating to the nation the injustice and brutality of segregation. Both risked their lives and became victims of violence. Readers will be able to relate to the experiences of each, making the history more lively and understandable. The story is clearly told in a chronological account that uses many photographs to illustrate the text. Back matter includes a time line, a roster of many of the riders, an index, and a resource guide. The guide lists some excellent books for young readers, music and videos, and places to visit both in person and online. This is an excellent nonfiction book for middle school where it can be used for black history units and for eighth grade social studies .