Student Resources
Bridges, Ruby. Through My Eyes Ruby Bridges. (1999). New York, New York. Scholastic. The story of Ruby Bridges and her incredible experiences of attending an all white school. The photographs alone in this book are phenomenal.
Golenbock, Peter. (1990). Teammates. New York, New York. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers. The story of Jackie Robinson and his extraordinary journey through his baseball career.
Littlesugar, Amy. (2001). Freedom School. New York, New York. Philomel Books. This book is exceptional for students to see the struggles African Americans faced after laws of segregation were made illegal. A teacher comes to teach children, young and old, at Freedom School. The house where she is staying is bricked and the school burns, yet a little girl shows strength and bravery to help the teacher stay around.
Hearth, Amy Hill. The Delany Sisters Reach High. (2003). Nashville, Tennessee. Abingdon Press. A children's biography of the Delany sisters- two African American sisters who were daughters of a slave. Their father encouraged them to reach high and both became firsts in their field. A great inspiration for young readers.
Pinkney, Jerry. Goin' Someplace Special. (2001). New York, New York. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. This book is fantastic for children to experience what black children went through during the time of laws of segregation. Tricia Ann is anxious to have to opportunity to go into town for the day. She experiences first hand what it is like for African Americans to be segregated by getting pointed out in the middle of a hotel. A great lesson for students to remember, that no matter who you are, you are somebody.
Polacco, Patrick. Pink and Say. (1994). New York, New York. Philomel Books. A true Civil War story that was passed down from generation to generation. This story is about two Union soldiers who end up in Confederate territory. One soldier is shot and wounded and is taken in by a grandmother. The grandmother puts her life of the line to take care of the soldier and nurse him back to health.
Taylor, Mildred D (1990). Mississippi Bridge. New York. Bantam Skylark Book. A historical fiction story for students to read and enjoy. The story is 62 pages in length and can be used as a tool for literary discussions. Jeremy Simms observes blacks and whites getting on a bus in Mississippi for a trip. At the last minute, a white family arrives and the bus driver sends the black people off the bus. In the end, a tragedy occurs on the bus and all of the passengers are killed.
Wiles, Deborah (2001). Freedom Summer. New York, New York. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Two boys, Joe and John Henry are great friends. Joe is white and John Henry is black. This story takes place before and after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and shows the boys' experiences as friends.
Woodson, Jaqueline. (2001). The Other Side. New York, New York. GP Putnam's Sons. A story of an African American child and white child who live on opposite sides of a fence. Both girls are terribly interested in the other side and are often reminded by their elders not to ever go on the other side. Eventually, the girls end up crossing the fence and playing together.
Materials for Classroom Use
- Overhead Projector
- - Copies of Sybil Liberty Flyers (one copy for every four students)
- - Class set of Mississippi Bridge, by Mildred Taylor
- - One copy of Tell All the Children Our Story: Memories and Mementos of Being Young and Black in America, by Tonya Bolden
- - Computers with internet access for teacher and students
- - A library of books for teacher read-aloud and silent reading for students
- - Magazines, newspapers and material for students to cut
- - Scissors, glue, markers, construction paper
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