Graphic History of the Civil Rights Movement

The story of a group of African American students known as the Little Rock Nine is a saga of incredible courage and grace. Following the 1954 Supreme Court ruling that struck down school segregation, black leaders turned their attention to the next challenge: getting African American students into white schools. In Little Rock, Arkansas, a small group of African American students were selected to integrate the high school. This taut, thrilling graphic novel plunges readers into the cauldron of hate, bigotry, and fear the students faced. Powerful illustrations grip readers, and accessible text presents the emotionally charged events in readily understandable language.

The Montgomery bus boycott was a pivotal event that launched the civil rights movement and helped transform American society. This epic tale of courage and peaceful resistance began with a simple "No" spoken by an African American seamstress. When Rosa Parks, exhausted after a long day at work, refused to give up her bus seat for a white man, she defied the strict segregation laws that made blacks second-class citizens. What followed was a test of courage and resolve that ultimately reshaped the nation. Using powerful illustrations and accessible text, this exciting graphic novel tells the story of actions, arrests, and the dramatic events that followed.

The protest known as the March on Washington was one of the most inspiring episodes of the civil rights movement. Galvanized by events in the South, civil rights protesters from around the country gathered in Washington, DC, to demand Congress pass President Kennedy's civil rights bill. More than a quarter of a million people showed up to the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Among the speakers was Martin Luther King Jr., whose "I Have a Dream" speech became one of the greatest orations in American history. This exciting graphic novel uses dramatic illustrations and accessible text to capture the emotion and power both of the march itself and of King's memorable speech.

The story of Malcolm X, one of the most charismatic and controversial leaders of the civil rights movement, is one of courage, conviction, and personal growth. His father, an outspoken civil rights activist, instilled in him a sense of pride. After his father's murder, Malcolm got into trouble and landed in prison. There, he joined the Nation of Islam. After his release, he worked continuously to promote the rights of African Americans while his own vision of civil rights evolved. A dream of unity and brotherhood replaced his early willingness to use force. Sadly, assassins cut short his life before his dream was achieved. Using dramatic illustrations and accessible text, this graphic novel takes readers along on Malcolm's journey of courage and transformation.