February is National Black History Month, when we take time to remember and celebrate important and influential African-Americans throughout our history. 

We have tagged many of our favorite biographies, non-fiction books, and historical fiction books as "Black History Month for Kids."  Click the link to see our booklist. 

There have been several excellent books for children written this year that focus on important, but previously untold stories, about the Civil Rights Movement in the United States:

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose, is the story of a young girl who stood up for her rights in the face of harrowing opposition and prejudice.  She is a figure that should be as well-known as Martin Luther King, Jr. or Rosa Parks, but whose story had remained untold until very recently.  This new biography about her life and contribution to the Civil Rights Movement recently won a Newbery Honor. 

Antother wonderful and recently published book about the Civil Rights Movement is Marching For Freedom: Walk Together Children, and Don't You Grow Weary by Elizabeth Partridge.  Unlike other books on similar topics, Marching is distinguished in that it focuses on the contributions of children and teenagers in the history of the Civil Rights Movement.  If you are looking for an inspiring story that demonstrates the power that children have to change their world for the better, check out this moving and well-researched book. 

For other great books about famous African-Americans throughout history, check out our list!