Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party's Promise to the People
With passion and precision, Kekla Magoon relays an essential account of the Black Panthers—as militant revolutionaries and as human rights advocates working to defend and protect their community.
In this comprehensive, inspiring, and all-too-relevant history of the Black Panther Party, Kekla Magoon introduces readers to the Panthers’ community activism, grounded in the concept of self-defense, which taught Black Americans how to protect and support themselves in a country that treated them like second-class citizens. For too long the Panthers’ story has been a footnote to the civil rights movement rather than what it was: a revolutionary socialist movement that drew thousands of members—mostly women—and became the target of one of the most sustained repression efforts ever made by the U.S. government against its own citizens.
Revolution in Our Time puts the Panthers in the proper context of Black American history, from the first arrival of enslaved people to the Black Lives Matter movement of today. Kekla Magoon’s eye-opening work invites a new generation of readers grappling with injustices in the United States to learn from the Panthers’ history and courage, inspiring them to take their own place in the ongoing fight for justice.
A Junior Library Guild Selection
★ “Comprehensive and meticulously researched…cinematic in its descriptions….The highly readable and not-to-be-missed story of America’s history and current reality.” –Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “A wealth of quotes, photos, and sidebars enriches the book. …this compelling work would be invaluable for both individual and classroom reading.” –The Horn Book, starred review
★ “Powerful…an incisive, in-depth study of the Black Panther Party.” –Publisher’s Weekly, starred review
“Kekla Magoon is a national treasure, and Revolution in Our Time passionately and meticulously details a critical truth that is both feared and necessary in the classroom.” —Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor-winning author of One Crazy Summer
Ketanji: Justice Jackson's Journey to the U.S. Supreme Court
From two Coretta Scott King Honor winners comes this uplifting picture book biography about Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is making history as the first Black woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice.
Ketanji Brown Jackson is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. When a high school guidance counselor told her she should set her sights lower than Harvard, she decided to go to Harvard for college and law school.
When she became a public defender and saw inequalities in the justice system, she used her legal skills to advocate for people who needed help, but couldn’t afford an attorney.
Ketanji’s path to the Supreme Court was unique: She’s the only current Justice to have been a public defender and one of a few who went to public school. Her story is powerful and heartening, and it’s a lesson in overcoming adversity by being true to yourself.
Margaret A. Edwards Award winner, Printz Honor winner, and National Book Award finalist Kekla Magoon and Coretta Scott King honoree Laura Freeman reunite to present a generation of readers with a new inspirational figure.
A 2024 Texas Bluebonnet List Selection
★ “An excellent choice for picture book biography collections.” — School Library Journal, starred review
“With an informative text and a series of striking digital illustrations, this picture-book biography offers an appealing introduction to Ketanji Brown Jackson.” — Booklist
“A needed celebration of America’s potential.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Concepts of aiming high and owning personal pride permeate this picture book biography. Aspirational.” — Publishers Weekly
The Highest Tribute: Thurgood Marshall's Life, Leadership and Legacy
A brilliant picture book biography about Thurgood Marshall, who fought for equality during the Civil Rights Movement and served as the first Black justice on the Supreme Court, from Coretta Scott King Honor winners Kekla Magoon and Laura Freeman.
Growing up in Baltimore, Thurgood Marshall could see that things weren’t fair. The laws said that Black and white people couldn’t use the same schools, parks, or water fountains.
When Thurgood had to read the Constitution as punishment for a prank at school, his eyes were opened. It was clear to him that Jim Crow laws were wrong, and he was willing to do whatever it took to change them.
His determination to make sure all Americans were treated equally led him to law school and then the NAACP, where he argued cases like Brown v. Board of Education in front of the Supreme Court. But to become a Justice on the highest court in the land, Thurgood had to make space for himself every step of the way.
Readers will be inspired by Kekla Magoon’s concise text and Laura Freeman’s luminous illustrations, which bring Thurgood Marshall’s incredible legacy and achievements to life.
★ “The crystal-clear and accessible text, focusing on essential cases in the career of “Mr. Civil Rights,” does justice to the Justice.” —Horn Book, starred review
★ “Will serve to empower children who feel as powerless as Thurgood Marshall once felt.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “An appealing read about a Black figure who had a large and lasting impact on U.S. law.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Short, straight-to-the-facts sentences, accessible to newly independent readers, are equally effective for group readalouds, and the stately cadence of the narration is matched by Freeman’s digital artwork.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
She Persisted: Simone Biles
“Written in an accessible format for young readers, this is a great beginner biography.” —School Library Journal
She Persisted: Naomi Osaka
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds—including Naomi Osaka!
Naomi Osaka grew up in Japan and the US, with one foot in each place. But wherever she was, she loved to play tennis—and she worked hard at it too, always practicing and improving. Many people doubted that she would make it as a professional player, but she persisted and showed the world that she is a champion. Her talent on the court and her activism for racial justice and mental health causes off it have made Naomi an inspiration to fans everywhere.
In this chapter book biography by NAACP Image Award-winning author and Coretta Scott King Honor recipient Kekla Magoon, readers learn about the amazing life of Naomi Osaka—and how she persisted.
Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Naomi Osaka’s footsteps and make a difference! A perfect choice for kids who love learning and teachers who want to bring inspiring women into their curriculum.
And don’t miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Florence Griffith Joyner, Diana Taurasi, Simone Biles, and more!
She Persisted: Ruby Bridges
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger comes a chapter book series about women who stood up, spoke up and rose up against the odds!
As a first grader, Ruby Bridges was the first Black student to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. This was no easy task, especially for a six-year-old. Ruby’s bravery and perseverance inspired children and adults alike to fight for equality and social justice.
In this chapter book biography by award-winning author Kekla Magoon, readers learn about the amazing life of Ruby Bridges–and how she persisted. Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton!
Today the World Is Watching You
The Little Rock Nine and the Fight for School Integration 1957-58 (Lerner)
In the fall of 1957, nine black students became the first to integrate the previously all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Their particular struggle against racism paralleled the experiences of many black children in the south after the U.S. Supreme Court declared segregated schools unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education. The Little Rock Nine’s situation rose to national prominence when the governor sent Arkansas National Guard troops to block the black students from entering the school on their first day of classes. The tumultuous events that followed captured the attention of the entire nation. Today the World is Watching You chronicles the Little Rock Nine’s harrowing first year at Central High and the impact of their courage on the generations of black Americans that would follow them.
“Extensively researched…well-paced and engaging…” —School Library Journal