Civil Rights Books

The Civil Rights era comes alive in these excellent, informative books for kids of all ages. —Common Sense Media (Photo: iStock)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

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Civil Rights Boo... The Civil Rights era comes alive in these excellent, informative books for kids of all ages. —Common Sense Media (Photo: iStock)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
'Rosa' by Nikki ... Spectacular illustrations spotlight Parks' historic protest.
Age: 4+
What Parents Should Know: Parents need to know that this picture book biography, written by acclaimed African-American poet Nikki Giovanni, deals with the historical realities of discrimination, focusing on Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955, and also mentions the Emmet Till lynching. Much of the context of these events is left unexplained, so an adult will be needed to fill in the gaps. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Henry Holt & Company, Inc.)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
'Malcolm X: A Fi... Complex issues make this best for older kids.
Age: 8+
What Parents Should Know: Parents need to know that this book doesn't soften Malcolm X's story. It addresses the full scope of his life, including poverty, imprisonment, struggle, and then assassination. —Common Sense Media (Photo: HarperCollins Children's Books)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
'The Watsons Go ... A funny novel with a devastating emotional punch.
Age: 9+
What Parents Should Know: Parents need to know that the language and writing are rich, capturing the immediacy of a young boy's thoughts, but the style sometimes overwhelms the story. This first-person account, written in the slang of a 10-year-old boy, examines how he and his family react to a pivotal moment in civil rights history. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Random House)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
'I Have a Dream'... A treasured speech seen in a vibrant new light.
Age: 11+
What Parents Should Know: Parents need to know that King's words are inspiring, but the book's artwork is uneven. Readers new to the piece will be moved; those familiar with King's words may appreciate this artful expression. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Scholastic Inc.)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
'Roll of Thunder... A treasured speech seen in a vibrant new light.
Age: 11+
What Parents Should Know: Parents need to know that with lyrical, compelling prose, the story builds to a fiery climax, but it's sometimes sidetracked by long sections of background information. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Penguin Group)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
'Claudette Colvi... Dramatic story of forgotten teen civil rights hero.
Age: 13+
What Parents Should Know: Parents need to know that amidst this award-nominated, inspirational history lesson there are mentions of upsetting violence: stories of women being raped by men in the segregated South; several teens are arrested; a girl becomes pregnant by a much older, married man; and a teen is wrongly convicted of a crime and sentenced to die. There are also several bombings of homes and churches. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
African-American... Click here to see the legendary African-American stars who have earned multiple Grammy Awards throughout their music career.