Books to Read about Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights with children from Pre-school to Grade 8.

Johnson, Angela. Sweet Smell of Roses. PreS-Gr.1

Johnson portrays the crucial involvement of youth in the Civil Rights movement with a story about Minnie and her sister who join the march with Dr. King. The text of the story is interspersed with words from Dr. King’s speech. Illustrated with beautiful black & white pencil drawings and a hint of red throughout the book.

Patrick, Denise Lewis. A Lesson for Martin Luther King, Jr. 31 p. Gr.K-2
This story focuses on a specific incident from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s childhood, when his best friend's father said they could no longer play together because "colored and white can't mix!"

Weatherford, Carole Boston. Freedom on the Menu. Gr.1-4
In this picture book, Weatherford portrays the 1960 civil rights sit-ins at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, through the eyes of a young Southern black girl.

Shore, Diane ZuHone. This is the Dream. Gr.2-5
Shore presents the events of the Civil Rights movement through
lyrical verses and distinguished illustrations. Archival photos, newspaper clippings, and paintings are used throughout the book.

Farris, Christine King. My Brother Martin. 35 p. Gr.2-4
Read about Martin Luther King Jr.’s life from his sister’s perspective. She recalls the conditions in the South during segregation and how her father’s sermons taught them to stand up for justice and equality. This is a good biography for introducing young children to the concept of segregation and Dr. King’s message.

Adler, David. A. A Picture Book of Rosa Parks. Gr. 2-4
Adler presents a visual biography of the woman who famously refused to give up her seat on a bus and helped establish the civil rights movement.

Edwards, Pamela Duncan. The Bus Ride that Changed History.
Gr. 2-4
Read about Rosa Parks, a crucial figure in the Civil Rights Movement, who refused to stand up so that a white passenger could sit in her seat.

Rappaport, Doreen. Martin’s Big Words. Gr 3-5
Rappaport sums up King’s life and work with short paragraphs, which are followed by King’s own words. His book includes great illustrations made with watercolor and collage art.

Haskins, James. John Lewis in the Lead. Gr.3-5
A biography of John Lewis, Georgia Congressman and one of the 'Big Six' civil rights leaders of the 1960s. Haskins focuses on his youth through the voter registration drives that sparked 'Bloody Sunday.'

Rappaport, Doreen. Nobody Gonna Turn Me ‘Round: Stories and Songs of the Civil Rights Movement. 63 p. Gr.4-8
Rappaport uses songs, poems, memories, letters, court testimony, and first-person accounts to provide a moving portrayal of the experiences of African Americans from the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott to the Voting Rights Act in July 1965.

Books to read aloud

Are you looking for a variety of books to read aloud to your youngsters? Here are some older classics as well as some more recent titles.

Bulion, Leslie. Hey There, Stink Bug! 45 p.
Kids will enjoy learning about different insects through poetry. The author uses different poetic styles to describe how insects capture prey, trick predators, attract mates, and have managed to survive for 400 million years. Witty and humorous poems for all ages! Includes a glossary and poetry notes. Independent reading for grades 2-5.

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Patches and Scratches. 74 p.

Sarah Simpson, also known as “Idea Girl”, loves to solve problems. Her friend Peter would like to have a dog, but his grandmother won’t allow him to. Sarah tries to find a solution to Peter’s dilemma. She gives him a goldfish and then a turtle, but he is not happy with these pets. When Peter’s grandmother is given a cat named Patches, Sarah and Peter try to convince her that she should keep it. Independent reading for grades 2-4.

Seuling, Barbara. Robert and the Great Escape. 118 p.

Robert and his friend Paul go on an exciting skiing vacation, but when they return to school they find that their third grade pet, Sally the snake, has gone missing! Independent reading for grades 2-4.

Voigt, Cynthia. The Rosie Stories. 48 p.

Rosie is a dog who loves to eat everything. Read about her funny and mischievous attempts to get food from the breakfast table and even the trash when no one is home. Independent reading for grades 2-3.

White, E.B. The Trumpet of the Swan. 210 p.

Louis is a trumpeter swan just like the rest of his family. But unlike his brothers and sisters, Louis can’t make a sound! When Louis meets Serena he can’t win her affection, because he can’t trumpet his love. He thinks of other ways to win her love, including learning how to read and write. Nothing seems to work, but then his father steals him a trumpet. Will a trumpet solve his problem? Independent reading for grades 4-6.

Wilson, A.N. Tabitha. 42 p.
For children who love to read about cats! Five short stories about a cat named Tabitha, her father Pufftail, and the other cats in the neighborhood. Venture into the world of a curious kitten growing into a cat. A great set of stories to read together before bedtime or for your independent reader in grades 2-4.