Through My Eyes

Title: Through My Eyes
Author: Ruby Bridges & Margo Lundell

Illustrator: various photographers
Type: Non-Fiction
Approximate Interest Level: 2nd-12th
Publisher: Scholastic

Date of Publication: 1999
ISBN: 978-0590189231

Synopsis: Ruby Bridge's first-hand account of her experience being one of the first African-American children to attend an all-White elementary school in Lousiana in 1960.  The book contains multiple photos of events surrounding desegragation, newspaper and magazine excerpts, and snippets of interviews with the various people involved in Ruby's experience.  Also included is a timeline of events and an update concerning what has happened to Ruby since elementary school.

Lesson plan links

Possible Teaching Points: 1) the Civil Rights Movement, 2) desegregation

A Sweet Smell of Roses

Title: A Sweet Smell of Roses
Author:  Angela Johnson

Illustrator: Eric Velasquez
Type: Fiction
Approximate Interest Level: 2nd-6th
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Date of Publication: 2005
ISBN: 978-0689832529

Synopsis: Two girls slip out of their house to join a Civil Rights march with Dr. King.  When it is over, they hurry home and tell their mother all about what happened.

Lesson plan link

Possible Teaching Points: 1) Civil Rights, 2) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Ron's Big Mission

Title: Ron's Big Mission
Author:  Rose Blue and Corinne J. Naden

Illustrator: Don Tate
Type: Fiction
Approximate Interest Level: 2nd-6th
Publisher: Scholastic

Date of Publication: 2009
ISBN: 978-0545291460

Synopsis: A fictionalized account of Ron McNair's (African-American NASA astronaut) experience getting a library card at a time when only White children were allowed to check out books and take them home. 

Lesson plan link

Possible Teaching Points: 1) Jim Crow, 2) Civil Rights