Inside Guide: Civil Rights Heroes

Working with her husband Martin Luther King Jr. and well after his death, Coretta Scott King was a civil rights activist in her own right. She had aspirations of becoming a musician, however, in the 1950s and 1960s, the world changed and Coretta Scott King joined the fight for a more equal America. Readers discover the story of her life, including her upbringing, her influence during the civil rights movement, and her legacy. Sidebars, fact boxes, and questions engage readers and help them understand one of the most influential voices for social justice in the 20th century.

The first African American Supreme Court justice, Thurgood Marshall is a name synonymous with determination. He was an active voice in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, taking a prominent stance behind key court decisions that helped better the lives of African Americans all over the United States. This biography reveals his story: from birth to adulthood and death, exploring his dreams, decisions, and legacy. Readers learn about Marshall's life through the integration of sidebars, fact boxes, critical thinking questions, and age-appropriate text that challenge and inform.

Martin Luther King Jr. is an iconic figure of the civil rights movement. His influence during the 1950s and 1960s led to key moments that defined the era, including impassioned speeches and marches through dangerous territory. Readers explore his life story, from birth to death, examining the ways he worked for social justice and civil equality in America. Through the use of historical photographs, sidebars, fact boxes, and critical thinking questions, readers will comprehend the civil rights era as witnessed through the eyes of one of its most beloved and brave leaders.

Jesse Jackson has spent much of his life working for social justice and peace. Today he remains a key figure in civil rights affairs. This engaging biography details the origins of his activism, his close ties to fellow civil rights heroes, and his actions in the fight for civil rights. Readers use historical photographs, a timeline, and critical thinking questions to closely examine Jackson's place in the civil rights movement. They'll survey his work following that historical era, and his legacy today, developing a comprehensive view of one of the leading figures in the fight for racial justice.

Malcolm X was a leading figure during the civil rights movement, most known for his advocacy for extreme methods to achieve social justice and civil equality. Readers discover his philosophies, ambitions, contemporaries, and accomplishments during the rise of the Black Power movement. Through the integration of carefully constructed text, critical thinking questions, historical photographs, and engaging sidebars, readers dive deep into Malcolm X's complex story. They'll gain a deeper understanding of the era in which he lived, ultimately forming their own opinions about his beliefs, methods, and legacy.

Rosa Parks was a legendary woman, who dared to stand against authority and helped spark a boycott and a movement in 1955. This book explores her life, her key decisions, and her role during the civil rights era of the 1950s and 1960s. Using historical photographs, fact boxes, sidebars, timelines, and critical thinking questions, readers explore her personal history, including her interaction with many leaders of the civil rights movement. They'll be inspired by her commitment to social justice issues throughout her life, and form their own opinions about this important figure of the civil rights movement.