Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, by Russell Freedman

Freedman adds details and depth to the now familiar story of Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on the bus in Montgomery, Alabama. He offers the background needed to understand that hers was not the first refusal but part of a growing movement waiting for an appropriate test case. He then goes on to show how the incident catapaulted a young and gifted minister, Martin Luther King Jr. to leadership and how the perseverance and steady resolve of a city population willing to walk to work for a greater cause, to face arrest and violence if necessary, and to organize and support each other started a movement and brought about change. Freedman uses the voices of participants to bring the story to life.

Grades 4 and up

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 .