Above the Rim by Jen Bryant illustrated by Frank Morrison*

 Growing up in the 1940s & 1950s in Washington, D.C., Elgin Baylor developed his own elegant basketball playing style despite being limited to run-down courts and inferior equipment. When Elgin played, "people stopped what they were doing and watched." Wanting to attend college, Elgin could only go west, where Blacks were allowed. Coaches were amazed by his moves, all self-taught; he always replied to their wonderment, "It's spontaneous." Despite his talent, he remained humble and refused to brag. Despite segregation, he played and then refused to play when he was not welcomed in towns' eating establishments. 

I loved how Ms. Bryant integrated Civil Rights Movement moments into the story, which were occurring simultanteously. Yes, this story features an amazing, humble basketball player, but it also immerses the reader into the tensions of this time period.

The illustrations are rich and expressive.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham -DVD

 PG-thematic elements, some violent images and mild language

After reading alout The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 to my twelve-year-old, I found the movie based on the book.  We agreed that the movie followed the book's basic outline extremely well.  The movie included more Civil Rights scenes. The Civil Rights Movement seemed the main theme of the movie, whereas, the book focused more on the family and their relationships.  The movie was actually more appropriate for a twelve-year-old than the book!

We were disappointed that Kenny's favorite song in the movie was not the same one in the book ("Yakety-Yak").  We wanted to hear that song played in the movie!

The movie portrayed the disparity how the blacks were treated in the south vs the north.

Points to discuss: violence vs blacks, Civil Rights Movement

*Highly recommend.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

 Award-winner- Newbery Honor Book, Coretta Scott King Award

I read this book aloud to my twelve-year old.  He enjoyed it immensely (he loved the humor). 

Kenny and his family reside in Flint, MI.  Byron, his older brother, creates "excitement" for the whole family as he searches out and embraces trouble.  Joetta, "Joey", the youngest and only sister, attempts to rescue Byron from trouble.  Kenny relishes Byron's punishments.  When Byron pushes it too far, his parents decide he needs real help-from his maternal grandmother in Alabama.  Mrs. Watson creates a schedule (down to each minute!) in a notebook for their trip to Alabama. Little do they know that this trip will not only transform Byron but the rest of the family as well.  

Humor and familial relationships/interactions dominate the story. The writing and the character and plot development are superb (Mr. Curtis is an excellent writer).

Read Aloud Revival recommends this book for high school. The "warnings" below will explain why they recommend it for this age group. My only question concerning this age group recommendation is "will high schoolers want to read it or listen to it since narrator is a ten-year-old"? Mostly middle-grade readers will be drawn to this book but it is not appropriate for them to read independently. Since I read it aloud, I could skip the inappropriate parts. 

Warnings/points to discuss: treatment of blacks in the 1960s-especially in the south, the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church bombing in Alabama on Sept. 15, 1963 (details are given-girls lying around, shoes sticking out in the debris etc), swearing (quite often), stealing, Mr. Watson sneaks a feel at Mrs. Waston's chest (the kids see it; it is described), poor grammar (on purpose, of course!), Kenny almost drowns-described in detail, bullies, characters are proud that they have looked at magazines with naked ladies

-I own this book.

Martin Rising Requiem for a King by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney*

This husband-wife team have created an unique piece of art.
Through  "docu-poems" (as Mrs. Pinkney calls them), Martin Luther King Jr.'s last days and months on earth are shared. 
So many different books about this man have been written yet these poems invite the reader to consider some novel ideas.  The artwork is abstract and fitting.
Mrs. Pinkney invites teachers to utilize these poems and the timeline for class productions.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Back of the Bus by Aaron Reynolds illustrated by Floyd Cooper*

An African American boy narrates from his point of view how Rosa Parks refuses to move from her seat.
I loved this perspective.
*Highly recommend.

Josephine by Patricia Hruby Powell illustrated by Christian Robinson

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Josephine pursued her passion as a dancer with determination.  In France she found acceptance and soon settled there.
The book is divided into different time frames  of her life.  The pictures, the word choices, sentence structure, the text layout and fonts all seem to flow with a rhythm-like dancing.  

Let Them Play by Margot Theis Raven illustrated by Chris Ellison

In 1955 an all-black YMCA baseball team experiences segregation as no white team with play them.  The South Carolina team travels to Williamsport, PA for the Little League  Baseball World series as guests.  The team, however, is permitted to practice on the field and the crowd soon chants, "Let them play!".
The illustrations capture the feelings of the players.  The Epilogue shares how these much older men visit Williamsport, PA to be on the field once more.

If a Bus Could Talk The Story of Rosa Parks by Faith Riggold

My three year old son pulled this book off of our shelf for me to read.  I had forgotten how detailed this book was for a picture book.  Even though this is a picture book, the story gives many details about the Civil Rights Movement.  Yes, it is a book about Rosa Parks but the reader can learn a lot about the Civil Rights Movement.  Dr. King and his death is also included in the story.