Freedom Walkers: the story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Russell Freedman

"...one day a half century ago, the black citizens in Montgomery rose up in protest and united to demand their rights--by walking peacefully. It all started on a bus."

Award-winning non-fiction author, Russell Freedman delivers yet another vibrant look back. Freedman is known for his very accessible history books written for young people. His use of simple but effective language, gratuitous primary source excerpts and images, and habit of telling the truth through the eyes of the people who lived through an event are the perfect tools for bringing history alive. Freedom Walkers is no exception. Freedman uses the personal stories of Civil Rights giants like Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as not-so-famous figures like Claudette Colvin and Jo Ann Robinson to relate the events of the 13-month bus boycott that changed America. The images he chooses and the style he uses will entice even the most reluctant readers.

SLJ recommends grades 4 to 6.

Learn more at HCL, Barnes and Noble, and here.

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

"At 7:46, Marv gets out of the car and stands there. "Good luck" I say. God, I can hear his heart from inside the cab. It's a wonder it isn't bludgeoning the poor guy to death. He stands there. Three minutes. He crosses the road. Two attempts. The yard is different. First go--a surprise."

Ed Kennedy is the epitome of average--a classic example of a slacker--until the day of the bank robbery. After becoming an unwitting hometown hero that day, Ed begins receiving cryptic "messages" that he must deliver. Although the messages are all meant for other people, each one has an effect on our hero. Set in Australia, I am the Messenger is a story about change told with humor and truth.

Learn more at HCL, Amazon, and here.

SLJ recommends grades 9 & up.