Kids Books: Tulsa Race Massacre
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre
By Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Celebrated author Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrator Floyd Cooper provide a powerful look at the Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the worst incidents of racial violence in our nation’s history. The book traces the history of African Americans in Tulsa’s Greenwood district and chronicles the devastation that occurred in 1921 when a white mob attacked the Black community.
News of what happened was largely suppressed, and no official investigation occurred for seventy-five years. This picture book sensitively introduces young readers to this tragedy and concludes with a call for a better future. 6 years+
What Was the Tulsa Race Massacre?
By Caleb Gayle, Illustrated by Tim Foley
Before May 31, 1921, the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was a thriving neighborhood of 10,000 Black residents. There, Black families found success and community. They ran their own businesses, including barbershops, clothing stores, jewelers, restaurants, movie theatres, and more. There were also Black doctors, dentists, and lawyers to serve the neighborhood. Then, in one weekend, all of this was lost. A racist mob tore through the streets, burning everything to the ground and killing scores of innocent residents. Learn about what led to one of the worst moments of racial violence in America’s history in this nonfiction book for young readers. 8-12 years
Tulsa Burning
By Anna Myers
Dreamland Burning
By Jennifer Latham
When seventeen-year-old Rowan Chase finds a skeleton on her family’s property, she has no idea that investigating the brutal century-old murder will lead to a summer of painful discoveries about the present and the past.
Nearly one hundred years earlier, a misguided violent encounter propels seventeen-year-old Will Tillman into a racial firestorm. In a country rife with violence against blacks and a hometown segregated by Jim Crow, Will must make hard choices on a painful journey towards self discovery and face his inner demons in order to do what’s right the night Tulsa burns.
Through interwoven alternating perspectives, Jennifer Latham’s lightning-paced page-turner brings the Tulsa race riot of 1921 to life and raises important questions about the complex state of US race relations–both yesterday and today. Young Adult
The Burning (Young Readers Edition)
Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre
By Tim Madigan, adapted for young readers by Hilary Beard
One of the worst acts of racist violence in American history took place in 1921, when a White mob numbering in the thousands decimated the thriving Black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The Burning recreates Greenwood at the height of its prosperity, explores the currents of hatred, racism, and mistrust between its Black residents and Tulsa’s White population, narrates events leading up to and including Greenwood’s devastation, and documents the subsequent silence that surrounded this tragedy. Delving into history that’s long been pushed aside, this is the true story of Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre, with updates that connect the historical significance of the massacre to the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America. 12-18 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
You may like https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Tulsa-Race-Massacre-of-1921/632653
Books For Kids: Civil Rights Movement https://barbaralowell.com/kids-books-civil-rights-movement/
Kids Books: Vietnam War
Escape from Saigon: How a Vietnam Orphan Became an American Boy
By Andrea Warren
Over a million South Vietnamese children were orphaned by the Vietnam War. This true account tells the story of Long, who, like more than 40,000 other orphans, is Amerasian — a mixed-race child — with little future in Vietnam. Escape from Saigon allows readers to experience Long’s struggle to survive in war-torn Vietnam, his dramatic escape to America as part of “Operation Babylift” during the last chaotic days before the fall of Saigon, and his life in the United States as “Matt,” part of a loving Ohio family. Finally, as a young doctor, he journeys back to Vietnam, ready to reconcile his Vietnamese past with his American present. 10-14 years
Vietnam War: Discover the People, Places, Battles, and Weapons of America’s Indochina Struggle
By DK Eyewitness Books
Explore the people, places, battles, and weapons of America’s Indochina struggle with DK Eyewitness Books: Vietnam War. See campaigns in the air and battles in jungles, cities, and rice paddies, from Saigon to the Mekong Delta. Learn about the most powerful combat weapons of the age, including napalm bombs and M-60 machine guns. From the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to the Ho Chi Minh Trail to the Viet Cong to the war’s aftermath, discover the Vietnam War, why America went to war in Indochina, and who fought there. 8-12 years
What Was the Vietnam War?
By Jim O’Connor, Illustrated by Tim Foley
The Vietnam War was as much a part of the tumultuous Sixties as Flower Power and the Civil Rights Movement. Five US presidents were convinced that American troops could end a war in the small, divided country of Vietnam and stop Communism from spreading in Southeast Asia. But they were wrong, and the result was the death of 58,000 American troops. Presenting all sides of a complicated and tragic chapter in recent history, Jim O’Connor explains why the US got involved, what the human cost was, and how defeat in Vietnam left a lasting scar on America. 8-12 years
Boots on the Ground: America’s War in Vietnam
By Elizabeth Partridge
America’s war in Vietnam. In over a decade of bitter fighting, it claimed the lives of more than 58,000 American soldiers and beleaguered four US presidents. More than forty years after America left Vietnam in defeat in 1975, the war remains controversial and divisive both in the United States and abroad.
The history of this era is complex; the cultural impact extraordinary. But it’s the personal stories of eight people—six American soldiers, one American military nurse, and one Vietnamese refugee—that create the heartbeat of Boots on the Ground. From dense jungles and terrifying firefights to chaotic helicopter rescues and harrowing escapes, each individual experience reveals a different facet of the war and moves us forward in time. Alternating with these chapters are profiles of key American leaders and events, reminding us of all that was happening at home during the war, including peace protests, presidential scandals, and veterans’ struggles to acclimate to life after Vietnam.
With more than one hundred photographs, award-winning author Elizabeth Partridge captures the intensity, frustration, and lasting impacts of one of the most tumultuous periods of American history. 12-17 years
Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam
By Walter Dean Myers, Illustrated by Ann Grifalconi
In a gripping and powerful story-poem, award-winning author Walter Dean Myers takes readers into the heart and mind of a young soldier in an alien land who comes face-to-face with the enemy. This portrait captures one American G.L’s haunting experience.
A young American soldier waits for his enemy, rifle in hand, finger on the trigger. He is afraid to move and yet afraid not to move. Gunshots crackle in the still air. The soldier fires blindly into the distant trees at an unseen enemy. He crouches and waits — heart pounding, tense and trembling, biting back tears. When will it all be over? 6-10 years
Vietnam: A History of the War
By Russell Freedman
Russell Freedman presents a detailed overview of the Vietnam war. Beginning with the rise of communism in Vietnam and detailing the increase of American involvement, Freedman then explains why an exit was so difficult.
In addition to explaining the complex beginnings of the conflict through the catastrophic damage the war caused, Freedman concludes with a hopeful epilogue on modern Vietnam. This is a definitive resource for young history readers as well as anyone who wants a concise and authoritative understanding of the Vietnam War, exploring both the American and Vietnamese perspectives.
Freedman chronicles the history leading up to the war and the unfolding events in Vietnam and in the U.S. as increasing numbers of young men were sent into the jungles to fight. Coverage includes the French war in Vietnam, the rise of Ho Chi Minh, the fall of President Diem, the Tonkin Gulf, the Tet Offensive, the My Lai massacre, the bombing of Cambodia, and the fall of Saigon, as well as the US anti-war movement.
The book includes nearly 100 historic photographs and illustrations, as well as candid photographs showcasing the state of Vietnam today. A glossary, source notes, bibliography and index are included. 10-17 years
The Vietnam War: An Interactive Modern History Adventure
By Michael Burgan
It’s the 1960s, and the Vietnam War is raging. You find yourself in the midst of the turmoil. Will you: Enlist in the Marines and volunteer to go to war? Join your fellow young Americans eager to protest the war? Be a young Vietnamese man forced to choose between the communist North and the capitalist South? Everything in this book happened to real people. And YOU CHOOSE what you do next. The choices you make could lead you to jail, to the jungles of Vietnam, or even to death. 8-11 years
Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam
By Cynthia Kadohata
Cracker is a German shepherd trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and the enemy. The fate of entire platoons rests on her keen sense of smell. She’s a Big Deal, and she likes it that way. Sometimes Cracker remembers when she was younger, and her previous owner would feed her hot dogs and let her sleep in his bed. That was nice, too.
Rick Hanski is headed to Vietnam. When Cracker is paired with Rick, she isn’t so sure about this new owner. He’s going to have to prove himself to her before she’s going to prove herself to him. They need to be friends before they can be a team, and they have to be a team if they want to get home alive.
Told in part through the point of view of a German shepherd, Cracker! is a glimpse into the Vietnam War as seen through the eyes of a dog and her handler. 8-12 years
Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War
By Steve Sheikin
In 1964, Daniel Ellsberg was a U.S. government analyst, helping to plan a war in Vietnam. It was the height of the Cold War, and the government would do anything to stop the spread of communism―with or without the consent of the American people.
As the fighting in Vietnam escalated, Ellsberg turned against the war. He had access a top-secret government report known as the Pentagon Papers, and he knew it could blow the lid off of years of government lies. But did he have the right to expose decades of presidential secrets? And what would happen to him if he did it? 10-14 years
The Wall
By Eve Bunting, Illustrated by Ronald Himler
A young boy and his father visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. 4-10 years
The book descriptions are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
You may like: Vietnam War, Ducksters: https://www.ducksters.com/history/cold_war/vietnam_war.php
Vietnam War Facts for Kids: https://historyforkids.org/vietnam-war/
Kids Books: Sgt. Stubby, Hero Dog
Stubby: Inspired by the True Story of an American Hero of World War I
By Kathy Borrus, Illustrated by Julia Mills
A heartwarming tale of friendship between an American soldier and his best buddy, a dog. Stubby is the true story of the most heroic dog in World War I. From stray puppy to the only dog ever promoted to the rank of Sergeant and the winner of the Purple Heart, Stubby’s remarkable journey is appropriate for all ages.
Sergeant Stubby: How a Stray Dog and His Best Friend Helped Win World War I and Stole the Heart of a Nation
By Ann Bausum
Meet Sergeant Stubby: World War I dog veteran, decorated war hero, American icon, and above all, man’s best friend. Stubby’s story begins in 1917 when America is about to enter the war. A stowaway dog befriends Private James Robert “Bob” Conroy at the Connecticut National Guard camp at Yale University and the two become inseparable. Stubby also wins over the commanding officer and is soon made an official member of the 102nd Infantry of the 26th division. What follows is an epic tale of how man’s best friend becomes an invaluable soldier on the front lines and in the trenches, a decorated war hero and an inspiration to a country long after the troops returned home.
Stubby the Dog Soldier: World War I Hero
By Blake Hoena, Illustrated by Olivia Ian Hurst
A stray dog named Stubby braves the World War I battlefields alongside Private J. Robert Conroy. See the story unfold as this brave little canine makes a big difference in the lives of many World War I soldiers. 5-7 years
Stubby: A True Story of Friendship
By Michael Foreman
Stubby, a brave soldier, a loyal friend… and a dog. From an army training camp to the trenches in France, this is the incredible true story of Sgt. Stubby, the dog who served bravely in the First World War, sniffing out gas attacks, catching spies and winning the hearts of his fellow soldiers. 5-7 years
Stubby the War Dog: The True Story of World War I’s Bravest Dog
By Ann Bausum
Move over, Rin Tin Tin. Here comes Sergeant Stubby! That German shepherd star of the silver screen may have been born behind enemy lines during World War I, but Stubby, the stump-tailed terrier, worked behind enemy lines, and gained military honors along the way.
Private Robert Conroy casually adopted the orphan pup while attending basic training on the campus of Yale University in 1917. The Connecticut volunteer never imagined that his stray dog would become a war hero. He just liked the little guy. When Conroy’s unit shipped out for France, he smuggled his new friend aboard. By the time Stubby encountered Conroy’s commanding officer, the dog had perfected his right-paw salute. Charmed, the CO awarded Stubby mascot status and sent him along with Conroy’s unit to the Western Front.
Stubby’s brave deeds earned him a place in history and in the Smithsonian Institution where his stuffed body can still be seen. Almost 100 years later, Stubby’s great deeds and brave heart make him an animal hero to fall in love with and treasure all over again. 10-14 years
G.I. Dog: Sergeant Stubby Hero Pup of World War I
By Laurie Calkhoven
Meet Stubby: a stray pup who was taken in by a group of American soldiers-in-training and soon found himself whisked off to the front lines of World War I as the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment. Stubby served bravely by his soldiers’ sides for 18 months and became a hero when he saved his regiment from a surprise gas attack. And he singlehandedly caught an enemy German soldier in No Man’s Land.
Join Stubby on his incredible journey from puppy to soldier to high-ranking sergeant as he narrates his story of heroism. This “dog’s-eye view” takes readers into the heart of the action of WWI and will leave them cheering for Stubby and his human companions as they overcome countless obstacles and prove time and again why a dog really is man’s best friend. 7-10 years
Dog Diaries #7: Stubby
By Kate Klimo, Illustrated by Tim Jessell
Stubby the war dog narrates the story of his life–from his days as a stray to his time on the battlefields of France! Adopted by Private John Robert Conroy in 1917 when the dog wandered into training camp, Stubby soon became the mascot for the 26th Yankee division–even learning how to salute. When the men were shipped out for France, Conroy smuggled Stubby on-board. The rest is the kind of incredible true story that dog-crazy middle graders love. By the end of the war, Stubby had served in 17 battles, been injured by mustard gas and a grenade; found and captured a German spy; shaken hands with Woodrow Wilson; and become the first dog given rank in the United States Armed Forces! 7-10 years
Why Did Sergeant Stubby Go to War?
By Cathy Werling, Illustrated by Christina Garcia
Stubby, a homeless dog who could have been left for lost saved countless lives in World War I. He became the most decorated animal in American military history. Stubby, a mix of Boston terrier and pit bull, was discovered, rescued, and taught by Private Robert Conroy and his colleagues, who were training for World War I at Yale University in 1917. Conroy smuggled Stubby aboard a transport ship to Europe with the U.S. 102nd Infantry, 26th Yankee Division. His commanding officer discovered the dog several days later and was quite displeased–until Stubby saluted the officer with his paw as the soldiers had trained him to do.
In the trench warfare of Europe, Stubby would bark to alert the regiment of surprise mustard gas attacks and incoming artillery fire, giving the soldiers time to grab their gas masks or hit the bottom of the trenches before a raid. Trained to differentiate between German and English speakers, Stubby would also locate wounded English-speaking soldiers in the trenches and bark until paramedics arrived. He even once caught a German spy.
Stubby braved through 17 WWI battles, saving countless Allied soldiers’ lives through his actions. For his courage, he received many military honors and marched in the Victory Parade. 5-11 years
The book descriptions are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
You may like: The Christmas Truce of 1914, https://www.barbaralowell.com/christmas-truce-1914
Books For Kids: World War I https://www.barbaralowell.com/books-for-kids-world-war-I
Kids Books: Pearl Harbor
What Was Pearl Harbor?
By Patricia Brennan Demuth, Illustrated by John Mantha
You Are There! Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941
By Dona Herweck Rice
You Are There! Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, examines the events leading up to the attack, highlights the critical components, and details the aftermath and its effects. This high-interest book includes an index, captions, glossary, and table of contents, sidebars, detailed images, and in-depth Reader’s Guide. Aligned with state standards, the text features complex and rigorous content appropriate for students preparing for college and career readiness. 10-14 years
Ranger in Time: Attack on Pearl Harbor
By Kate Messner, Illustrated by Kelley McMorris
I Survived meets The Puppy Place in this adventure novel as Ranger — a time-traveling golden retriever — races to the rescue on the day of the attack. Ranger travels back to 1941 Hawaii, where World War II is on everyone’s minds. That includes Ben Hansen, a young sailor stationed at Pearl Harbor, and twins Paul and Grace Yamada who are making their weekly market trip when Japanese bombs begin to fall from the sky. As the surprise attack puts all of Ranger’s new friends in danger, his search-and-rescue training kicks in to high gear. Can he help them survive against all odds? 7-10 years
I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor
By Lauren Tarshis, Illustrated by Scott Dawson
The bombing of Pearl Harbor comes to life for a new generation of readers! Eleven-year-old Danny Crane is alone on his favorite beach in Hawaii when the world is torn apart and World War II officially hits the United States. Does he have what it takes to find his way home in the midst of the bombs, the smoke, and the destruction of the day that will live in infamy? 7-10 years
The Attack on Pearl Harbor: A Day That Changed America
By Christy Serrano
Books For Kids: Mae Jemison
Mae C. Jemison
By Meeg Pincus, Illustrated by Elena Bia
Blast off into a reading adventure as you learn about the inspiring life of Mae Jemison―the first female African American astronaut. Follow along from her time as a child with big dreams to her exploration in space. This leveled book engages 1st―3rd graders through new vocabulary and high-interest topics like space exploration. 6-10 years
Mae Among the Stars
By Roda Ahmed, Illustrated by Stasia Burrington
When Little Mae was a child, she dreamed of dancing in space. She imagined herself surrounded by billions of stars, floating, gliding, and discovering.
She wanted to be an astronaut.
Her mom told her, “If you believe it, and work hard for it, anything is possible.”
Little Mae’s curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents’ encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA as the first African American woman to travel in space. 3-8 years
Mae Jemison (You Should Meet)
By Laurie Calkhoven, Illustrated by Monique Dong
Meet Mae Jemison, the first African-American female astronaut! Did you know before Mae was an astronaut, she went to medical school and joined the Peace Corps? But she never forgot her childhood dream to travel to outer space. So, in 1985, she applied to NASA’s astronaut training program. On September 12, 1992, Mae flew into space with six other astronauts aboard the space shuttle Endeavour and made history—just like you can if you follow your dreams! 6-8 years
Mae Jemison
By Jodie Shepherd
Meet Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel to space. Mae was a bright child who was always fascinated by science. The top student and gifted dancer ignored naysayers and worked hard to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor and an astronaut. 6-8 years
Mae Jemison: A Kid’s Book About Reaching Your Dream
By Mary Nhin, Illustrated by Yuliia Zolotava
In the new Mini Movers and Shakers children’s book series comes a cast of characters who have failed, yet succeeded despite overwhelming obstacles. In the third volume, we meet Mae Jemison.
Find out what happens in this kid’s book about flying to space.
Sometimes, we are faced with challenges that seem insurmountable. But with grit and hard work, one can achieve great things! Baby-12 years
Blast Off Into Space Like Mae Jemison
By Caroline Moss, Illustrated by Sinem Erkas
When Mae Jemison was a little girl, she loved science, dancing, and dinosaurs. She watched the Apollo moon landings and wondered why none of the astronauts were women – and she just didn’t buy the answers she was given…
Discover how Mae Jemison became the first African American woman in space, in this true story of her life. Then, learn ten key lessons from her work you can apply to your own life.
Featuring inspiring quotes and mantras, this is a book for all kids wanting to forge their own career path in the field of STEM. 8-12 years
Mae Jemison: Trailblazing Astronaut, Doctor, and Teacher
By Linda Barghoorn
“The first African American woman to travel in space, Mae Jemison has broken barriers in science and medicine to become one of the most admired women worldwide. This book describes how Jemison refused to let anyone stand in the way of her dreams. She became a doctor and worked in the Peace Corps until NASA invited her to join the astronaut program. Today, she is an important advocate for science in education–especially for girls and women. Jemison also continues to push scientific research to improve life in developing countries.” 7-10 years
VIP: Dr. Mae Jemison, Brave Rocketeer
By Heather Alexander, Illustrated by Jennifer Bricking
Soar to the stars with Dr. Mae Jemison in this middle grade nonfiction biography. The books in the VIP series tell the true—and amazing—stories of some of history’s greatest trailblazers. Meet the VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE who changed the world!
Mae Jemison is the first African American woman to travel to space. She’s also a medical doctor who once joined the Peace Corps. And a trained dancer, too! Experience all the exciting moments in Dr. Jemison’s thrilling life in this exciting biography, packed with two-color illustrations and fun facts, including the secrets of NASA. 8-12 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
You may like, Mae Jemison Facts For Kids https://kids.kiddle.co/Mae_Jemison
Books For Kids: Astronauts https://barbaralowell.com/books-for-kids-astronauts/
Books For Kids: The Moon https://barbaralowell.com/books-for-kids-the-moon/
Books For Kids: Jesse Owens
Who Was Jesse Owens
By James Buckley, Jr., Illustrated by Gregory Copeland
At the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics, track and field star Jesse Owens ran himself straight into international glory by winning four gold medals. But the life of Jesse Owens is much more than a sports story.
Born in rural Alabama under the oppressive Jim Crow laws, Owens’s family suffered many hardships. As a boy he worked several jobs: delivering groceries and working in a shoe repair shop to make ends meet. Owens defied the odds to become a sensational student athlete, eventually running track for Ohio State. He was chosen to compete in the Summer Olympics in Nazi Germany where Adolf Hitler was promoting the idea of “Aryan superiority.” Owens’s winning streak at the games humiliated Hitler and crushed the myth of racial supremacy once and for all. 8-12 years
Jesse Owens: Fastest Man Alive
By Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Eric Velasquez
Jesse Owens grew up during the time of Jim Crow laws, but adversity didn’t stop him. After setting world records for track in high school and college, he won a slot on the 1936 U.S. Olympic team. That year, the Olympics were held in Nazi Germany, where Adolf Hitler believes the Games would prove to the world that people like him were superior to all others. But Jesse, a sharecropper’s son, would ultimately topple Hitler’s hopes, winning four gold medals and the hearts of millions to become known as the fastest man alive. 7-11 years
A Star Like Jesse Owens
By Nikki Shannon Smith, Illustrated by Lisa Manuzak Wiley
Matthew is a young African-American boy who dreams of becoming an Olympic runner like his hero, Jesse Owens. There’s one big problem, though Matthew has asthma, which makes it hard for him to run. When his journalist father is assigned to cover the 1936 Olympics in Germany, Matthew jumps at the chance tag along. He has never been out of Ohio before, let alone to Europe. Will Owens’s amazing Olympic victories inspire Matthew in his own chosen career? 8-11 years
A Picture Book of Jesse Owens
By David A. Adler, Illustrated by Robert Casilla
Before Usain Bolt or Tyson Gay, Bob Beamon or Carl Lewis, Jesse Owens was perhaps the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history.
Jesse Owens was born on a farm to a large family with many siblings. His grandparents had been slaves, and his sharecropper parents were poor. But against all odds, Jesse went on to become one of the greatest athletes in history. He learned to run with such grace that people said he was a “floating wonder.”
After setting multiple world records as a college athlete, including three in less than an hour—”the greatest 45 minutes in sport”—Owens competed in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Adolf Hitler intended for the games to display Aryan superiority, but Jesse disrupted that plan. He became the first American track-and-field athlete to receive four Olympic gold medals and established his legacy as a hero in the face of prejudice. 4-8 years
Just Like Jesse Owens
By Andrew Young and Paul Young Shelton Illustrated by Gordon C. James
As a boy, Andrew Young learned a vital lesson from his parents when a local chapter of the Nazi party instigated racial unrest in their hometown of New Orleans in the 1930s. While Hitler’s teachings promoted White supremacy, Andrew’s father, told him that when dealing with the sickness of racism, “Don’t get mad, get smart.” To drive home this idea, Andrew Young Senior took his family to the local movie house to see a newsreel of track star Jesse Owens racing toward Olympic gold, showing the world that the best way to promote equality is to focus on the finish line. The teaching of his parents, and Jesse Owens’ example, would be the guiding principles that shaped Andrew’s beliefs in nonviolence and built his foundation as a civil rights leader and advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The story is recalled by Paula Young Shelton, Andrew’s daughter. 6-8 years
Jesse Owens (Little People, Big Dreams)
By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Illustrated by Anna Katharina Jansen
The youngest of ten children, Jesse grew up working in the cotton fields of Alabama. Discovered by his high school track and field coach, Jesse quickly rose to fame as an athlete. He went on to challenge racism on the world stage at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and made new world records. This book features extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the athlete and activist’s life. 4-7 years
Jesse Owens (You Should Meet)
By Laurie Calkhoven, Illustrated by Elizabeth Vukovic
Meet Jesse Owens, an African American runner who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin! What made his achievement even more memorable was that Adolph Hitler expected the Olympic Games to be a German showcase. In fact, he criticized the United States for even including black athletes on its Olympic roster. According to many reports, after Owens won his fourth gold medal, Hitler stormed out of the stadium. In 1936 Jesse Owens took a stand against racism and made history.
A special section at the back of the book includes extras on subjects like history and math, plus an article filled with interesting facts about the Olympics. 6-8 years
Defying Hitler: Jesse Owens Olympic Trials
By Nel Yomtov, Illustrated by Eduardo Garcia
At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, the last thing Adolf Hitler expected was to see a black man compete and win. But Jesse Owens didn’t just win. He was dominant in the track and field events, winning four gold medals and helping to set a world record. Now readers can witness one of the most iconic moments in sports history. 8 and up
Olympic Gold 1936:
How the Image of Jesse Owens Crushed Hitler’s Evil Myth
By Michael Burgan
Jesse Owens’ gold-medal winning feats at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin struck a mighty propaganda blow against Adolf Hitler. The Nazi leader had planned to use the German games as a showcase for supposed Aryan superiority. Instead, there was American black athlete Owens on the podium being photographed by Hitler’s personal photographer, Heinrich Hoffmann. In addition, Owens would figure prominently in the groundbreaking film Olympia by Hitler’s favorite director Leni Riefenstahl. Photos and film captured Owens’ stunning success and revealed how wrong Hitler was in his beliefs. 10-12 years
Jesse Owens: Athletes Who Made a Difference
By Blake Hoena, Illustrated by David Shephard
In 1936, Adolf Hitler attempted to make the Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany, a showcase of Nazi superiority with a new stadium and the first television broadcast of the Games. He didn’t account for African-American sprinter and long jumper James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens, who smashed records throughout his track and field career.
Owens turned Hitler’s Olympic vision on its head by winning four gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay and long jump. Along the way, he broke or equaled nine Olympic records and set three world records. In graphic nonfiction style, this biography takes readers from Owens’s early life to his historic athletic triumphs. 8-12 years
Jesse Owens: Amazing People Who Shaped the World
By James Buckley, Jr.
Jesse Owens is one of the most famous athletes of all time, winning an incredible four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games. But he faced discrimination throughout his athletic career.
This biography charts the major events of Jesse’s life; from his childhood growing up on a farm in Alabama, to his family’s move to Ohio in search of better opportunities, to the beginning of his running career and his years as a world record-breaking student athlete, all the way to the Olympics and beyond. 8-11 years
The book descriptions used are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
You may like:
Wilma Rudolph, Champion Sprinter https://barbaralowell.com/wilma-rudolph-champion-sprinter
Books For Kids: Jackie Robinson https://www.barbaralowell.com/books-for-kids-jackie-robinson