17 Books & Films to Teach Your Kids About Civil Rights

Despite the progress made in recent history, the United States still grapples with issues of civil rights, and we're reminded of this as we navigate matters such as voting rights legislation. We still have miles to go to overcome oppression and bias in this country. Change begins with education, and what better way to make a change than to keep our children informed and educated through films and literature? The following list of recommended civil rights books and movies can help teach your kids about the civil rights movement and Black history.

The resources are geared for multiple age groups and include picture books, chapter books, and family-friendly movies. Hopefully, they will spark conversations with your child and help you to discuss complex issues.

What is the civil rights movement?

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Amazon

The Who Was book series answers questions about important events, people, and places in history and current events. What Is the Civil Rights Movement? is a middle-grades chapter book highlighting the stories of those on the front lines of the civil rights movement.

With detailed personal accounts of events and biographical stories, it tells the tale of this significant era in history and the challenges Black Americans still face today.

Historical fiction civil rights book: The Watsons Go to Birmingham

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Amazon

The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis is the winner of the Coretta Scott King Award and is a Newbery Honor book. The Watson family of Flint, Michigan, head down to Alabama to visit their maternal grandmother during a very dark moment in U.S. history.

Set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement, this story is told from the point of view of one of the family members, Kenny. While it's a humorous story about family and love, it really brings history to life and should be an informative read for kids ages 8–12.

Civil rights movie: The Watsons Go to Birmingham

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Common Sense Media

This novel has the unique distinction of being one of the first civil rights books to be made into a civil rights movie specifically for kids and families.

It has a PG rating, and the main violence in the movie is the bombing of the church in Birmingham. I recommend reading the book first. Bonus for adults who loved HBO’s The Wire: It’s fun to see Avon Barksdale as an upstanding citizen.

Civil rights leaders for kids: John Lewis' March Trilogy

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Amazon

John Lewis was a Georgia Congressperson and civil rights leader who marched across the Southern states to challenge segregation. His graphic novel trilogy, March, will appeal to middle-grade students as it chronicles the civil rights era in a comic book format many kids will appreciate.

Laura Byrd is a California-based mom and librarian who sees the value in providing books in this format to cover hard-hitting topics.

"Graphic novels are the most popular books in our library. For some readers, a thick book with lots of text feels overwhelming; but storytelling through text and pictures feels more compelling and accessible," Byrd, a mom of three, told Mom.com. "I see voracious consumers of graphic novels who wouldn’t pick up a traditional book. For them, worlds of fantasy, history, science, even the classics come alive. It’s so much fun to watch."

This Is the Dream

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Amazon

With both illustrations and collages, this beautiful book by Diane Z. Shore tells the story of segregation in the United States and the courageous acts of the civil rights movement. It’s a great book to teach young readers about this time in our history and especially perfect for kids ages 4–8.

Civil rights for kids: I Am Ruby Bridges

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Amazon

No stranger to children’s literature, Ruby Bridges has released a new children's book titled, I am Ruby Bridges, which chronicles her perspective during the civil rights era.

“It's not just about my experience integrating schools,” Bridges said upon the book's release. "It's also about the innocent ways that a child sees the world. Writing as my 6-year-old self reminded me how differently kids interpret things than adults do.”

What this book reminds us, apart from telling Bridge's story and teaching kids about the civil rights movement, is that these events didn’t happen that long ago. Despite the black-and-white film and photo depictions, Ruby Bridges is in her 60s and published this book in 2022, making her close in age to many of our kids’ grandparents.

The Ruby Bridges Disney movie

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This Disney's Ruby Bridges civil rights movie is a great way to follow up Bridges' new book. If you're homeschooling your children, include lesson plans with discussion questions, and additional Black history resources, books, and activities for a complete unit study.

A civil rights timeline for kids: We March

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Amazon

Shane W. Evans' beautifully illustrated picture book with simple text (only 57 words) is perfect for young readers ages 4–8. It tells the story of the March on Washington and explores the civil rights timeline for kids in a first-person plural narrative that is easy to understand.

Child of the Civil Rights Movement

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Amazon

If you're looking for civil rights books for younger children, Paula Young Shelton, daughter of civil rights activist Andrew Young, shares her memories of the civil rights movement and her involvement in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery. Simple text and Raul Colon’s illustrations make this picture book a great read for ages 4–8.

Martin Luther King Jr. for kids: I Have a Dream

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Amazon

This text of Dr. King’s “I hHve a Dream” speech is beautifully illustrated by Kadir Nelson.

"My father’s dream continues to live on from generation to generation, and this beautiful and powerful illustrated edition of his world-changing 'I Have a Dream' speech brings his inspiring message of freedom, equality, and peace to the youngest among us — those who will one day carry his dream forward for everyone," King's daughter, Dr. Bernice A. King, said of this title.

Martin's Big Words

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Amazon

If you're looking for civil rights books about Martin Luther King Jr. for kids, Martin's Big Words is the perfect addition to your home library.

It includes a civil rights timeline and additional books, sites, and resources to provide a comprehensive look at the civil rights movement and the leaders who took strides to change the world.

History for kids: Ron's Big Mission

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Amazon

This book is the true account of Ron McNair, who back in 1959 South Carolina, insisted on checking out library books despite the rule that library cards were only issued to white residents. Ron's Big Mission tells the story of a young boy who would grow up to be an accomplished astronaut. Sadly, Ron McNair was among the seven astronauts who died as a result of the NASA Space Shuttle disaster.

One Crazy Summer

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Amazon

In the summer of 1968, 11-year-old Delphine and her two younger sisters travel from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, to spend a month with the mother they barely know — who places them in the care of the Black Panthers summer camp.

This outstanding novel by Rita Williams-Garcias is great for kids ages 8–12 but parents will enjoy it as well.

Glory Be

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Amazon

In the summer of 1964, as she is about to turn 12, Glory's town of Hanging Moss, Mississippi, is beset by racial tension when town leaders close her beloved public pool rather than desegregating it. This book by Augusta Scattergood works well for children ages 8–12.

Civil Rights Then and Now

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Amazon

Civil Rights Then and Now: A Timeline of Past and Present Social Justice Issues in America takes a look at how far the nation has come since the days of segregation and opression and how far it has yet to go. This is more than a book — it is an entire lesson in civil rights for kids, complete with vocabulary lists, discussion questions, and essay and journal prompts for helping children process and understand the material.

Disney civil rights movie: Selma Lord Selma

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Amazon

This Disney film captures the story of the historic march from Selma to Montgomery, featuring a young protagonist and a TV-PG rating. Coupled with these discussion questions, this civil rights movie for kids is an easy way to complete a civil rights homeschool study.

Black Leaders in the Civil Rights Movement: A Black History Book for Kids

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Amazon

Black Leaders in the Civil Rights Movement chronicles biographies of 15 men and women who laid the foundation for future generations. Geared for ages 8–12, it will explain the fight for fundamental rights for all.