Sunny Boy!: The Life and Times of a Tortoise Candace Fleming, 2005

In this fictionalized account, Sunny Boy, a 100-year-old tortoise, describes various events in his long life including the dangerous barrel ride over Niagara Falls that he takes with his daredevil owner on July 5, 1930.

Henry Hikes to Fitchburg D. B. Johnson, 2000

While his friend works hard to earn the train fare to Fitchburg, young Henry Thoreau walks the thirty miles through woods and fields, enjoying nature and the time to think great thoughts. Includes biographical information about Thoreau.

Jackie’s Bat Maribeth Lorbiecki, 2006

Joey, the batboy for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, learns a hard lesson about respect for people of different races after Jackie Robinson joins the team.

Goin’ Someplace Special Patricia McKissack, 2001

In segregated 1950s Nashville, a young African American girl braves a series of indignities and obstacles to get to one of the few integrated places in town: the public library.

Bus Ride William Miller, 1998

A black child protests an unjust law in this story loosely based on Rosa Parks' historic decision not to give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955.

Freedom Summer Deborah Wiles, 2001

In 1964, Joe is pleased that a new law will allow his best friend John Henry, who is colored, to share the town pool and other public places with him, but he is dismayed to find that prejudice still exists.

Coming on Home Soon Jacqueline Woodson, 2004

Ada Ruth's mama must go away to Chicago to work, leaving Ada Ruth and Grandma behind. During World War II, women are needed to fill the men's jobs. Every day Ada Ruth and Grandma wait, watching for the letter that says Mama will be coming home soon.

Show Way Jacqueline Woodson, 2005

The making of "Show ways," or quilts which once served as secret maps for freedom-seeking slaves, is a tradition passed from mother to daughter in the author's family.