This annotated bibliography will be updated each year in the Fall. If you are interested in subsequent
editions, please send a request to Molly Maffei, at cmaffei@brrsd.k12.nj.us
These are suggested titles for the read-aloud experience. If you choose to assign them for
independent study, re-think the grade assignations.
Please judge each book according to your own needs. My opinion is simply that. As you initially read
the books you choose, decide how you could present them to the class. The key is the personal touch
you bring to each book.
Marlene Targ Brill, Allen Jay and the Underground Railroad
Carolrhoda Books, Inc., MN, 1993; ISBN: 0-87614-776-7
Allen Jay, a young Quaker boy living in Ohio during the 1840's, helps a runaway slave escape his
master and make it to freedom through the Underground Railroad.
Very Good Grades 1-2
Elizabeth Massie: American Chills, Maryland: Ghost Harbor
Kensington Publishing Corporation, NY, 1995; ISBN: 0-8217-5059-3
On a class trip to the Aquarium in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Anne suddenly disappears. She has been
transported back in time and is held captive as a runaway slave. Looking for her friend, Julie encounters
Millie, who claims to be a slave on the run.
Very Good Grades 3-5
Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick McKissack, Jr.: Black Diamond, The Story of the Negro Baseball Leagues
Scholastic Inc., NY, 1994; ISBN: 0-590-45810-8
Until 1947, when Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier, African Americans were shut out of
major league baseball. Forming their own league, they were segregated and endured second-rate living
and playing conditions. This story traces that league's history, citing notable players. (More technical -
not so suitable for read-aloud).
Very Good Grades 5-8
Eve Bunting: The Blue and the Gray
Scholastic Press, NY, 1996; ISBN: 0-590-60197-0
A black boy and his and white friend watch the construction of a house on a Civil War site which will
make them neighbors. Through questioning of one father, they find out what scenes took place, which is
shown in flashback, and what it might have been like.
Excellent PIC 2-4
Jean Fritz: Brady
Viking Penguin Inc., NY, 1987; ISBN: 0-440-84357-X
Brady stumbles onto the fact that his father is part of the slavery controversy. Although he has trouble
keeping a secret, Brady eventually wants to help.
Very Good Grades 3-5
Rosa Parks / Gregory J. Reed: Dear Mrs. Parks, A Dialogue With Today's Youth
Lee & Low Books, Inc., NY, 1996; ISBN: 1-880000-45-8
Correspondence between children and Mrs. Parks answers questions and encourages young people to
reach their highest potential. Includes a brief biography and time line.
Excellent Grades 3-6
Libba Moore Gray: Dear Willie Rudd
Simon & Schuster, NY, 1993; ISBN: 0-671-79774-3
An adult remembers her childhood relationship with a black housekeeper who helped raise her and her
mother and her grandmother. She writes her a letter to thank her and apologize for any wrongs
committed due to race.
Excellent PIC 2-4
Irene Smalls: Ebony Sea
Longmeadow Press, CT, 1995; ISBN: 0-681-00679X
This story was inspired by accounts of an incident that occurred in the days of African slavery. A ship
carrying slaves to America docked on one of the sea islands off the coast of Georgia. It is said that a
group of slaves, known as Ebos, resisted the life that awaited them by walking into the river and
drowning themselves.
Very Good PIC 3-4
Clinton Cox: The Forgotten Heroes, The Story of the Buffalo Soldiers
Scholastic Inc., NY, 1993; ISBN: 0-590-45122-7
In the late 1800's, thousands of black cavalrymen were recruited by the United States government to
open the west to settlers. Enduring prejudice, they hoped to find a freedom by joining the army.
However, their task was to take freedom away from the Indians.
Very Good Grades 4-6
Margaree King Mitchell: Granddaddy's Gift
BridgeWater Paperback, 1997; ISBN: 0-8167-4011-9
When her grandfather registers to vote while living in segregated Mississippi, and African American girl
begins to understand why he insists that she attend school. The granddaughter witnesses the ploys to
deter registration and results of his determination.
Excellent PIC 2-3
Kathryn Jones: Happy Birthday, Dr. King!
Modern Curriculum Press, OH, 1994; ISBN: 0-8136-2315-4
Jamal gets in trouble in school for fighting to sit in the back of the bus, triggering a story from Grandpa
Joe about Rosa Parks, the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Dr. Martin Luther King. Good, brief
introduction to the civil rights movement.
Good PIC 2-3
Ellen Levine: If You Lived At the Time of Martin Luther King
Scholastic Inc., NY, 1990; ISBN: 0-590-42582-X
In question and answer format, the author introduces readers to segregation and the civil rights
movement and Martin Luther King.
Excellent Grades 2-5
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: I Have a Dream
Scholastic, Inc., NY, 1997; ISBN: 0-590-20517-X
Fifteen black artists illustrate King's speech in Washington on August 28, 1963. Brief biography of
King and comments from each artist about their work enhance the book.
Excellent PIC 3-5
Barbara Greenwood: The Last Safe House
Scholastic Inc., NY, 1998; ISBN: 0-439-06238-1
A unique account of two families who meet in 1856 - one fleeing slavery and the other helping escaped
slaves. In addition to their story on the Underground Railroad, historical sidebars and related activities
aid in the understanding of the era.
Very Good PIC 3-4
Joyce Hansen: I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly, The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl
Scholastic Inc., NY, 1997; ISBN: 0-590-84913-1
Twelve-year-old Patsy keeps a diary of the confusing time at the end of the Civil War and the granting
of freedom to slaves. Patsy remains with her master's family because "not a word was said about us
being free." Historical notes at the end add to the understanding of the era.
Excellent Grades 3-6
Jayne Pettit: Maya Angelou, Journey of the Heart
Puffin Books, NY, 1996; ISBN: 0-14-038359-X
Traces the journey of this African American woman from childhood through her life as entertainer, civil
rights activist, writer, poet, and university professor. Deals with sensitive/traumatic parts of her life.
Very Good Grades 5-7
Alan Schroeder: Minty, A Story of Young Harriet Tubman
Dial Books, NY, 1996; ISBN: 0-8037-1888-8
A fictional account of the life of Harriet Tubman, based on true facts. Some scenes are invented, but
most follow the traditional storyline, including a few aspects that are not normally mentioned in her
children's biographies.
Excellent PIC 2-4
Mildred D. Taylor: Mississippi Bridge
Bantam Skylark Books, NY, 1990; ISBN: 0-553-15992-5
Jeremy watches from the porch of the general store as the Logan children are seeing their grandmother
off on the bus, along with his friend Josias. In 1930's Mississippi, blacks can't ride the bus if there is
not enough room for the white travelers. Latecomers keep the black riders off. A tragic accident sets
the stage for good class discussions.
Excellent Grades 3-6
Scott O'Dell: My Name Is Not Angelica
Bantam Doubleday Dell, NY, 1989; ISBN: 0-440-40379-0
The story of the slave rebellion of 1733 on the island of St. John, where Raisha, a slave girl, must decide
whether to help some runaways. Starts with the taking of slaves from Africa to their Dutch settlement
on the island.
Very Good Grades 4-6
Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler: Next Stop, Freedom, The Story of a Slave Girl
Silver Burdett Press, NY, 1991; ISBN: 0-382-24347-1
In the 1850's on a Southern plantation, Emily works as a house slave. Yearning to read and escape to freedom, Emily meets Harriet Tubman and her journey begins.
Very Good Grades 3-4
Patricia C. McKissac: A Picture of Freedom, The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl
Scholastic Inc., NY, 1997; ISBN: 0-590-25988-1
In 1859, twelve-year-old Clotee, a house slave, must conceal the fact that she can read and write. She
records her daily experiences and turmoil about whether to escape or not. Historical notes at end add to
understanding of the era.
Excellent Grades 3-6
Patricia Polacco: Pink and Say
Scholastic Inc., NY, 1994; ISBN: 0-590-54210-9
Two young Union soldiers in the Civil War, become friends when Pinkus, black, brings a wounded
Sheldon, white, home to be cared for by his mother. Needing to continue on the run, they get caught
and sent to Andersonville prison.
Excellent PIC 3-5
Scott Russell Sanders: A Place Called Freedom
Simon & Schuster, NY, 1997; ISBN: 0-689-80470-9
After being set free from slavery in 1832, young James Starman and his family journey from Tennessee
to Indiana to start a new life. Over the years they are joined by so many blacks that they start their own
town.
Very Good PIC 1-3
Barbara Smucker: Runaway to Freedom, A story of the Underground Railway
Harper & Row Publishers, NY, 1977; ISBN: 0-06-025724-5
Separated from her mother and shipped further south, Julilly meets Liza, a crippled slave. Disguised as
boys, they decide to escape. Pursued relentlessly by slave hunters and bloodhounds, they reach Canada.
Uses language of the time.
Excellent Grades 4-6
Hallie Marshall: Ruby Bridges
Disney Enterprises, Inc., NY, 1997; ISBN: 0-7868-4210-5
Ruby becomes one of the first African American students to be integrated into New Orleans's school
system. She endured jeers and threats daily when she entered second grade - to an empty classroom, as
white parents pulled their children from school. Adaptation based on the movie.
Excellent Grades 3-6
Anita Riggio: Secret Signs, Along the Underground Railroad
Boyds Mills Press, PA, 1997; ISBN: 1-56397-555-6
Luke and his mother are involved with the Underground Railroad. Under suspicion, his mother is held
in her house and it is up to Luke, who is deaf, to meet the black girl waiting for information.
Excellent PIC 2-3
Dolores Johnson: Seminole Diary, Remembrances of a Slave
Macmillan Publishing Company, NY, 1994; ISBN: 0-02-747848-3
A young African American slave girl escapes from a plantation in 1834. She is taken south to Florida to
join the Seminole Indians, who shelter many blacks and incorporated them into their tribe.
Very Good PIC 2-3
Kate McMullan: The Story of Harriet Tubman, Conductor of the Underground Railroad
Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc., NY, 1991; ISBN: 0-440-40400-2
A biography of Harriet Tubman, a slave forced to work at a very young age, who escapes from
Maryland to the North, then returns repeatedly to lead others to freedom.
Excellent Grades 2-4
Robert Coles: The Story of Ruby Bridges
Scholastic Inc., NY, 1995; ISBN: 0-590-43968-5
The story of the six-year-old black girl who attended all-white William Frantz Elementary School in
New Orleans in a court order desegregation attempt. Ruby endured, praying for those who harassed her
daily walk up the steps.
Excellent PIC 2-3
Raymond Bial: The Strength of These Arms
Houghton Mifflin Company, NY, 1997; ISBN: 0-395-77394-6
Details the life of plantation slaves, using excellent photographs and quotes from slaves. Spiritual
resistance, African heritage, and courage of the slaves are emphasized.
Excellent Grades 3-5
Clinton Cox: Undying Glory, The Story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment
Scholastic Inc., NY, 1991; ISBN: 0-590-44171-X
The "Glory" regiment consisted of black men from all occupations and of all ages who risked their lives
for the Union cause. Treated like second class soldiers, they proved their courage at the battle of Fort
Wagner.
Very Good Grades 4-7
Melba Pattillo Beals: Warriors Don't Cry
Pocket Books, NY, 1994; ISBN: 0-671-89900-7
In 1957, Melba Pattillo was one of the nine teenagers chosen to integrate Little Rock's Central High
School. Disturbing, yet inspiring, account from her personal diary, her mother's notes and newspaper
articles. Some uncomfortable language.
Excellent Grades 6-8
Christopher Paul Curtis: The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963
Scholastic Inc., NY, 1995; ISBN: 0-590-69014-0
Told from the point of view of the ten-year-old son, the humorous, yet poignant, story of a black
family's attempt to deal with a rebellious teenager takes them down to Grandma's in Birmingham,
Alabama. Changes occur after a black church is bombed. Some realistic language.
Excellent Grades 6-8
Evelyn Coleman: White Socks Only
Albert Whitman & Company, Morton Grove, IL, 1996; ISBN: 0-8075-8956-X
Grandma tells the story of when she first went into town by herself in segregated Mississippi. She
misinterprets the "whites only" sign by the drinking fountain to mean step up on the platform with your
shoes off and white socks only.
Excellent Grades 1-3
Kathleen Krull: Wilma Unlimited, How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Runner
Harcourt Brace & Company, NY, 1996; ISBN: 0-15-201267-2
A biography of the African American woman who overcame crippling polio as a child to become the
first woman to win three gold medals in track in a single Olympics. After retiring from running, she
became a teacher and coach.