Voices of the Civil Rights Movement: A Primary Source Exploration of the Struggle for Racial Equality

by Lori Mortensen

The Civil Rights Movement brought about major changes in the United States, including the legal end of segregation between African-Americans and white Americans. Explore the points of view of the activists who fought for change and the people who opposed them through powerful primary sources and historical photos.

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Lori Mortensen is an award-winning children's author of more than 100 books. Her books, which reviewers have praised as “stellar” “as good as it gets” and “begs to be read aloud,” have been published by such notable publishers as HarperCollins, Henry Holt, Abrams, Bloomsbury, and Peachtree. Popular releases include, Arlo Draws an Octopus, illustrated by NYT bestselling author/illustrator Rob Sayegh, Jr., If Wendell Had a Walrus, illustrated by NYT bestselling author/illustrator Matt Phelan, Cowpoke Clyde Rides the Range, a Bill Martin Jr., Picture Book Award Nominee and the sequel to Amazon bestseller Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg, and picture book biographies Nonsense! The Curious Story of Edward Gorey and Away with Words, the Daring True Story of Explorer Isabella Bird.
When she’s not greeting geese at the lake, or putting her nose in a mystery, she’s tapping away at her keyboard, conjuring, coaxing, and prodding her latest stories to life. Today, she lives in the foothills of Northern California with her family and all birds that flock to her feeder—including a gluttonous squirrel.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book packs a lot into it's 32 pages. Layout is very well done, but may be a bit overwhelming for students who are still learning to distinguish text features. There are fact boxes and sidebars, as well as the actual text and numerous compelling, primary source photographs. In addition, there is a table of contents, glossary, selected bibliography, index, suggested websites for further research, and a few critical thinking questions based on Common Core. Excellent information.
Series also includes the Civil Rights Acts of 1964, Freedom Riders, the Little Rock Nine, the March on Washington, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very basic outline of the Civil Rights Movement beginning with the end of the Civil War up through the inauguration of President Obama. This book touches on some of the major contributors to the effort. Recommended for ages 7-12.