This is a historical look at the civil war and the time after the civil war and the struggles that continued for the Black American to gain the rights of citizens. ( )

nonfiction (grades 8th and up) - a briefish history of Black history, focusing on Reconstruction years following the end of the Civil War.

Good summary of a lot of things not covered in your typical history book (at least, not covered in depth) with a lot of thoughtful attention paid to providing primary sources, so I would recommend just on that alone. However, despite the high interest of the subject matter, this took some effort to read, unlike the more accessible narrative nonfiction of Steve Sheinkin and others, so I would probably suggest it for a middlegrade/teen audience. I wouldn't stop a younger reader from picking up this book, but I think they might not have the easiest time of it, since you really do need to exercise some more advanced vocabulary and comprehension skills.

This is Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s first book for "younger readers" (with the help of Tonya Bolden).

Would probably recommend first Ibram X. Kendi/Jason Reynolds' Stamped, and then would suggest to follow with this one, but providing plenty of time to process and digest the denser information (not as assigned reading, not to be crammed into a student's already busy schedule). ( )

A very insightful history (that is NOT taught in school) which is aimed toward middle school and older students, this text presents facts, dates, politics, primary sources in a manner easy to follow and understand. The best part of this book was the primary sources from newpaper clippings to letters to speeches to songs, etc that elevated this history narrative. Huge fan of the narrator Dion Graham. ( )

This book focuses on the Reconstruction era, African Americans that played a huge role during the time period, and how it impacted history from this time. This is a great book for young teens and middle school aged students. I think it would be a great book to incorporate into history classes. ( )

Way too short... Maybe this is just cliff notes or something. I wanted to hear more. ( )