Now a classic, Freedman's book tells the dramatic stories of the heroes who stood up against segregation and Jim Crow laws in 1950s Alabama. Full of eyewitness reports, iconic photographs from the era, and crucial primary sources, this work brings history to life for modern readers.

This engaging look at one of the best-known events of the American Civil Rights Movement feels immediate and relevant, reminding readers that the Boycott is not distant history, but one step in a fight for equality that continues today.

Freedman focuses not only on well-known figures like Claudette Colvin, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King Jr., but on the numerous people who contributed by organizing carpools, joining protests, supporting legal defense efforts, and more. He showcases an often-overlooked side of activism and protest--the importance of cooperation and engagement, and the ways in which ordinary people can stand up for their beliefs and bring about meaningful change in the world around them.

Freedom Walkers has long been a library and classroom staple, but as interest in the history of protest and the Civil Rights Movement grows, it's a perfect introduction for anyone looking to learn more about the past--and an inspiration to take action and shape the future. A map, source notes, full bibliography, and other backmatter is included.

Winner of the Flora Stieglitz Straus Award
Winner of the NCSS Carter G. Woodson Award
Cybils Nonfiction Award Winner, MG/YA
Jane Addams Award Honor Book
NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Honor Book
Five Starred Reviews
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

One hundred years ago, a small-town science teacher ignited a nationwide debate over what students should learn in school--and who should decide.

* Compelling. -School Library Journal, starred review
* Timely. -Booklist, starred review
* Insightful. -Horn Book, starred review
* Comprehensive and conversational. -Shelf Awareness, starred review

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

In 1925, when Tennessee lawmakers banned the teaching of evolution in public schools, teacher John Scopes challenged the law--and set off a gripping circus of a legal battle. Two masterminds faced off in a blistering courtroom debate over creationism and natural selection, each armed with the books they believed belonged in classrooms. Celebrity politician William Jennings Bryan relied on the Bible to make his case, while legal luminary Clarence Darrow defended Charles Darwin's groundbreaking books On the Origin of Species and The Descent of Man. Their clash would go down in history as the Scopes Monkey Trial.

A century later, here is the riveting truth of what happened and why it matters. For a nation still arguing about the books and ideas that young people should encounter, award-winning author Debbie Levy delivers an important, insightful and expertly-researched account of our history that illuminates the challenges we face today.

Jane Addams Children's Book Award Winner * A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book * A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

STARRED REVIEW *Masterfully combines text and folk-inspired art to add an important piece to the mosaic of U.S. civil rights history. ―Kirkus Reviews

When her family moved to the town of Westminster, California, young Sylvia Mendez was excited about enrolling in her neighborhood school. But she and her brothers were turned away and told they had to attend the Mexican school instead. Sylvia could not understand why--she was an American citizen who spoke perfect English. Why were the children of Mexican families forced to attend a separate school?

Unable to get a satisfactory answer from the school board, the Mendez family decided to take matters into its own hands and organized a lawsuit. In the end, the Mendez family's efforts helped bring an end to segregated schooling in California in 1947, seven years before the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education ended segregation in schools across America.

Author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh writes in his notes, My hope is that this book will help children and young people learn about this important yet little known event in American history. I also hope that they will see themselves reflected in Sylvia's story and realize that their voices are valuable.

Using his signature illustration style and incorporating his interviews with Sylvia Mendez, as well as information from court files and news accounts, Tonatiuh tells the inspiring story of the Mendez family's fight for justice and equality, a fight that is as relevant today as it was 75 years ago.

Rose Katz and Morris Michtom grew up in Russia during a period of persecution against Jewish people. Hoping to find kindness and opportunity in another country, they emigrated to the United States, where they got married and opened a candy shop. In 1902, they read a newspaper article about President Theodore Roosevelt sparing a bear on a hunting trip. To the delight of their daughter, Emily, the Michtoms created a small, stuffed version of the animal and named it Teddy's Bear. Before long, this cuddly symbol of one man's act of compassion became a beloved toy that continues to delight children all over the world.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

An impeccably researched, touching true story of the kindness of strangers around the world following World War II from a bestselling author and award-winning illustrator.

On one side of the ocean, a war had ended, leaving many in Europe without enough food.
On the other side of the ocean, Americans asked, How can we help?

The need was too great for any one person to fill-but what could people do if they joined together?

The answer was the Friendship Train, which ran from the West Coast to the East collecting good food for hungry bellies. Americans of all ages gave what they could. Especially children! They donated their allowances, sold newspapers, collected food from neighbors, loaded packages onto trucks and boxcars-all for strangers across the sea.

And in return, those strangers asked themselves How can we say thank you? Still recovering from the war, they didn't have a lot to give, but they found a way-their own train full of ways-to express their gratitude.

This heartwarming nonfiction picture book from Debbie Levy and Boris Kulikov shows how small acts of kindness can grow, healing lives and helping turn strangers into friends.

Check out The Friendship Train if you're looking for:
-A hopeful, age-appropriate introduction to the aftermath of the Second World War
-A story about kindness, helping, and healing during an important moment in history
-A true story steeped in primary source research
-A book from an award-winning author and illustrator

An author's note gives additional context about the Friendship Train and the war, along with more detail into the author's impressive primary source research.

For fans of Steve Sheinkin and Deb Heiligman, a riveting true story of the West Virginia coal miners who ignited the largest labor uprising in American history.

* An essential historical account of the U.S. labor movement. -School Library Journal, starred review

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2024
A Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Award Book
A 2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book

In May of 1920, in a small town in the mountains of West Virginia, a dozen coal miners took a stand. They were sick of the low pay in the mines. The unsafe conditions. The brutal treatment they endured from mine owners and operators. The scrip they were paid-instead of cash-that could only be used at the company store.

They had tried to unionize, but the mine owners dug in. On that fateful day in May 1920, tensions boiled over and a gunfight erupted-beginning a yearlong standoff between workers and owners.

The miners pleaded, then protested, then went on strike; the owners retaliated with spying, bribery, and threats. Violence escalated on both sides, culminating in the 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest labor uprising in United States history.

In this gripping narrative nonfiction book, meet the resolute and spirited people who fought for the rights of coal miners, and discover how the West Virginia Mine Wars paved the way for vital worker protections nationwide. More than a century later, this overlooked story of the labor movement remains urgently relevant.

A cutting-edge look into a pivotal moment in US history: McCarthy's infamous witch hunt for communists during the 1950's Red Scare.

At the cusp of the Cold War, Americans were so afraid of communists living among them that they began to hunt them like witches. As Senator Joe McCarthy took up this mantle to hunt down communists in the US, citizens grew terrified of being accused, so they turned on each other - pointing fingers at neighbors, friends, and even family.

Told through a unique and inviting screenplay-format, brought to life with dozens of illustrations by Tim Foley, and comprised almost entirely of quotes derived from primary sources, Witch Hunt recounts the political craze that gripped America during the Red Scare when McCarthyism forced people to go to extraordinary lengths to keep themselves and their families safe from persecution against their own government.

April 11, 1970: Apollo 13 was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It should have been the third manned Apollo mission to land on the moon. But when an explosion on board damaged the spacecraft, it became a perilous and near-impossible fight for survival. Battling to get back to Earth, the crew on board traveled further into space than any humans had done before . . .

In this gripping retelling of the astonishing Apollo 13 mission, David Long shows how courage, determination and teamwork succeeded in beating all odds to bring the spacecraft home.

Perfect for anyone seeking captivating middle grade books about historical adventures and overcoming challenges, the Everyone Can Be a Reader (Nonfiction) hi-lo book series presents accessible history books for kids in an easy-to-read style. Union Square & Co.'s EVERYONE CAN BE A READER books utilize dyslexia reading tools like specialized fonts and paper tones, and are carefully formatted to meet readers where they are with engaging stories that encourage reading success across a wide range of age and interest levels.

But the story of the fire is not the story of one accidental moment in time. It is a story of immigration and hard work to make it in a new country, as Italians and Jews and others traveled to America to find a better life. It is the story of poor working conditions and greedy bosses, as garment workers discovered the endless sacrifices required to make ends meet. It is the story of unimaginable, but avoidable, disaster. And it the story of the unquenchable pride and activism of fearless immigrants and women who stood up to business, got America on their side, and finally changed working conditions for our entire nation, initiating radical new laws we take for granted today.

With Flesh and Blood So Cheap, Albert Marrin has crafted a gripping, nuanced, and poignant account of one of America's defining tragedies.

An inspiring account of an event that shaped American history

She had not sought this moment but she was ready for it. When the policeman bent down to ask Auntie, are you going to move? all the strength of all the people through all those many years joined in her. She said, No.

Fifty years after her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, Mrs. Rosa Parks is still one of the most important figures in the American civil rights movement. This picture- book tribute to Mrs. Parks is a celebration of her courageous action and the events that followed.

Award-winning poet, writer, and activist Nikki Giovanni's evocative text combines with Bryan Collier's striking cut-paper images to retell the story of this historic event from a wholly unique and original perspective.

Rosa is a Caldecott Honor Book and the winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.

In 1963, the United States was at the peak of the Civil Rights Movement. This was the year when activists from around the country joined forces to organize one of the most important protests in US history: the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Some of the marchers who protested for equal rights were kids!

Join Eugene and Lori as they march with thousands of other people for a day of unity and celebration that changed the course of history.

ABOUT THIS SERIES:

Step back in time to the most relevant historical moments with the best-selling series, If You Were a Kid! In an exciting blend of fiction and nonfiction, a fictionalized narrative teaches history through the eyes of kids, while informational text introduces readers to key factual information. With engaging text, illustrations, and photos on every page, If You Were a Kid will spark readers' curiosity and imagination, making learning about our past an accessible and unforgettable experience.

On April 10, 1912, the RMS Titanic set sail from Southampton on her maiden voyage to New York. This Ship of Dreams was the largest and most luxurious ocean liner in the world. She was proclaimed unsinkable. But four days later, when the ship struck an iceberg, the loss of Titanic and more than 1,500 passengers would become one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

This fact-filled retelling of its meticulous construction and doomed first and only voyage brings the ship's tragic tale to life.

Perfect for anyone seeking Titanic books for kids or middle grade books about infamous events, the Everyone Can Be a Reader (Nonfiction) hi-lo book series presents accessible history books for kids in an easy-to-read style. Union Square & Co.'s EVERYONE CAN BE A READER books utilize dyslexia reading tools like specialized fonts and paper tones, and are carefully formatted to meet readers where they are with engaging stories that encourage reading success across a wide range of age and interest levels.

What if you could step back in time and witness history in the making?

Join the students of Unity Academy as they embark on an unforgettable school trip where history comes alive-literally! When a mysterious museum historian hands them a pair of magical VR glasses, each student is transported into the past, watching iconic figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Mae Jemison, and Arthur Ashe in action.

From space missions and Olympic victories to groundbreaking speeches and musical performances, these young explorers witness moments of courage, creativity, and leadership firsthand.

With vibrant illustrations and powerful storytelling, Stepping into History: A VR Adventure inspires young readers to learn from the past while imagining how they can help shape the future.

History isn't just about the past-it's about the legacy you create.

100+ Interesting facts about the Titanic for ages 8 to 12

Invite kids to step back in time with this big book of facts about the Titanic. Unlike other Titanic books for kids, Titanic Q&A reveals tons of little-known details about the maiden voyage of this doomed ship that struck an iceberg in 1912. From what it cost to be built to why it went down so quickly, this fascinating book answers all of kids' burning questions about the Titanic--its crew, its cargo, its passengers, and beyond.

• A Titanic timeline--Delve into a huge range of information, covering the time from the ship's construction and launch to its final disastrous moments.
• True facts--Kids can test their knowledge on interesting Titanic topics with true-or-false questions and plenty of mythbusting facts.
• Hours of exploration--Engaging content and a colorful, fact-packed layout will keep children entertained for hours.

Discover an incredible story from the past with this extraordinary choice in Titanic books for kids!

100+ Interesting facts about the Titanic for ages 8 to 12

Invite kids to step back in time with this big book of facts about the Titanic. Unlike other Titanic books for kids, Titanic Q&A reveals tons of little-known details about the maiden voyage of this doomed ship that struck an iceberg in 1912. From what it cost to be built to why it went down so quickly, this fascinating book answers all of kids' burning questions about the Titanic--its crew, its cargo, its passengers, and beyond.

• A Titanic timeline--Delve into a huge range of information, covering the time from the ship's construction and launch to its final disastrous moments.
• True facts--Kids can test their knowledge on interesting Titanic topics with true-or-false questions and plenty of mythbusting facts.
• Hours of exploration--Engaging content and a colorful, fact-packed layout will keep children entertained for hours.

Discover an incredible story from the past with this extraordinary choice in Titanic books for kids!

Did you know that skateboarding used to be called sidewalk surfing and the sport can trace its roots back centuries? Or that today there are more than 3,000 skate parks in the US alone? Get ready to soar through the story of skateboarding from the science behind the decks to the history of the cool tricks skateboarders continue to create . . . and everything in between!