I want Martin Luther King Jr. Day to be more than just a day off for my kids. I want them to learn about what their country was like less than 100 years ago. I want them to know about the people who fought bravely to change it and to know that change is still needed. I want them to feel connected to this history, and books are my main tools.
I wasn't alive yet during the Civil Rights Movement so my experience is through books as well, but it's a part of history I have always been attracted to and part of the reason I studied history in university. Here are some wonderful books, perfect for elementary schoolers, to help you dive into the Civil Rights Movement with your kids. You'll also find a few titles perfect for pre-K and kindergarteners, so you can include the littlest learners in your family. But don't limit yourself to one Monday in January — add some of these titles to your bookshelves for everyday reading.