Kids' Home Library by Lee Littlewood

So many worthy books chronicle the strength and perseverance of African-Americans who overcame hardship. These books not only present freedom marchers and civil rights advocates, but they also introduce a pivotal baseball player, a grandmother who sang publically despite obstacles and a girl who learns about "jumping the broom."

"We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March" by Cynthia Levinson; Peachtree Publishers; 176 pages; $19.95.

Kids who may think they don't have a say in public and political issues will be reinvigorated by reading Levinson's motivational, amazing book. The true story of the young people of Birmingham, Ala., in 1963, who answered Dr. Martin Luther King's call to "fill the jails" by protesting is chronicled in this thoughtful book that shows the march from a new and personal perspective.

At a time when many adults were worried about losing their jobs and lives by protesting, children and teenagers felt like the stakes were less. They marched to jail to secure their freedom. Levinson presents 9-year-old Audrey and young teens Washington, James and Arnetta, who "guide" the book with narration and remembrances of their experiences in 1963.

Very detailed, with intense interviews and clear black and white photographs, "We've Got a Job" is almost unbelievable, yet researched extensively and truthfully. Most amazing is how far we've come as a nation since 1963, thanks to strong, fearless young people like Audrey, Wash, Arnetta and James.

"When Grandmama Sings" by Margaree King Mitchell; illustrated by James E. Ransome; HarperCollins; 40 pages; $16.99.

When young Belle gets a chance to travel with her grandmother on a singing tour of the South, she's excited. But at a Biloxi High School, only 17 people show up, and at a New Orleans club, the manager refuses to pay Grandmama and her band. Still, the effervescent singer and her jazz posse persist through the love of music. Even after getting stopped by police and served only diner takeout in Alabama, Grandmama sings on, inspiring those who come to watch to do the right thing, even in the segregated South.

With luminous water-colored paintings and a bluesy vibe straight from an Ella Fitzgerald song, Mitchell's poignant and inspiring story also proves it's never too late to chase dreams.

"The Lions of Little Rock" by Kristin Levine; Putnam/Penguin; 298 pages; $16.99.

A spellbinding and beautifully written novel that captures a true and critical piece of history, "The Lions of Little Rock" introduces a quiet girl who cannot gain the courage to speak in middle school.

When she meets a strong and outgoing girl however, Marlee finds her voice. But then her friend Liz disappears from school, and the rumors abound that she's passing herself off as white.

Though it's a dangerous time, in 1958, to strike up a friendship with a colored girl from the "wrong" side of town, Marlee becomes brave and with her friend Liz helps Little Rock take a step toward school integration. Remarkably written with sensitivity and clarity, Levine's novel tells the tale of what happened the year after the Little Rock Nine integrated the city's public schools.

As powerfully written as her critically acclaimed "The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had," Levine's historically-based fiction tale sheds light on an important time.

"Ellen's Broom" by Kelly Starling Lyons; illustrated by Daniel Minter; Putnam/Penguin; 32 pages; $16.99.

Some youngsters may not know that marriage for African-Americans wasn't allowed until well after the abolishment of slavery. Traditionally, many couples "jumped the broom" instead, which means they literally jumped over a broom to seal their love bonds.

"Ellen's Broom," set during the complicated time of Reconstruction, when African-Americans were first realizing their rights, explains the history of jumping the broom at weddings. Told through the eyes of a young girl named Ellen, the special story explains entertainingly how the broom ceremony made her loved ones a family. It also moves on happily, as Ellen and her parents, dressed in their best, make the long trip to the courthouse to register legally.

A sweet ode to families, Lyon's lovely picture book showcases the importance of equal rights, but it also shows that old traditions are special. Illuminated woodcut block prints give "Ellen's Broom" a zesty feel, making the book a touching wedding present or satisfying read aloud.

"Just as Good: How Larry Doby Changed America's Game" by Chris Crowe; illustrated by Mike Benny; Candlewick Press; 32 pages; $16.99.

Already a Junior Library Guild selection, this exciting picture book tells the motivational true story of pro baseball player Larry Doby, who followed Jackie Robinson in 1947 to cross baseball's color line and sign on with the Cleveland Indians. More than just a historical timeline, the cleverly-penned tale is told from the eyes of a young boy named Homer, who, with his daddy, is "baseball crazy." The pair's excitement about Doby's game four of the World Series against the Boston Braves is palpable, making reading "Just as Good" an energetic experience.

Mostly an unsung hero overshadowed by other African-American sports stars of the time, Larry Doby deserves his due credit, and he gets it here, both as a baseball hero and champion for civil rights.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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