Search Results
Select any highlighted title for detailed information about that resource.
Social Studies
Social Studies > sociology
Social Studies > sociology > social issues
Social Studies > sociology > social issues > social action
    Birmingham Sunday
      This powerfully told story of the horrific bombing of a church in Birmingham, ALABAMA which ended with the killing of three young girls and galvanized the civil rights movement across the country. The photographs and writing style of the author make for a
      Author: Brimner, Larry Dane HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation
      Andrea and Brian Pinkney bring their considerable talents to tell the story of the Montgomery bus boycott in wonderfully poetic language and blues rhythms. An Author's Note gives more historical information.
      Author: Pinkney, Andrea HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation
      Andrea and Brian Pinkney bring their considerable talents to tell the story of the Montgomery bus boycott in wonderfully poetic language and blues rhythms. An Author's Note gives more historical information.
      Author: Pinkney, Andrea HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Diego Bigger Than Life
      These short poems tell about the life of the artist Diego Rivera, his various loves, his life as an artist, and his unusual and intense life. It ends with a one paragraph comment by his last wife, Frida Kahlo. Back matter includes a wealth of information
      Author: Bernier-Grand HSE Descriptors: social studies

    FDR's Alphabet Soup
      The author documents FDR's New Deal agencies from 1932-1939 with lively text, extensive research, and marvelous archival materials and photographs that is extremely timely for the economic conditions of 2012. A postscript, glossary, notes, selected resou
      Author: Bolden, Tonya HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case
      This somewhat repetitive account of the brutal death of Emmett Till, the Chicago 14-year-old boy visiting Mississippi, argues that the media coverage of the trial and the subsequent outrage of the public provided the catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement
      Author: Crowe, Chris HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Giver, The
      This Newbery Award-winning novel is set in a utopian community in which all conflict and social problems are unheard of. After a coming-of-age ceremony, Jonas begins to interact with The Giver and learns about the secrets that underlie his perfect world.
      Author: Lowry, Lois

    Great Depression, The
      This reference book covers the period of the Great Depression told with highlighted examples of the many ways Americans kept a positive outlook as they faced an uncertain future.
      Author: Fremon, David K. HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Linda Brown, You Are Not Alone
      Well-known children's author Joyce Carol Thomas has collected pieces by 12 writers to commemorate the Supreme Court ruling Brown vs. Board of Education. The reading level varies significantly from piece to piece.
      Author: Thomas, Joyce Carol HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Malcolm X
      In a clear, simple, and beautifully illustrated text, Walter Dean Myers emphasizes the life not death of Malcolm X as he grew to be a great leader for racial equality. Quotations and a timeline make the text especially useful in the classroom.
      Author: Myers, Walter Dean HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Mandela
      This picture book biography tells Nelson Mandela's story, from his childhood to his imprisonment and ultimate freedom.
      Author: Cooper, Floyd HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Marching for Freedom
      The compelling story of the events in Selma, Alabama that led to the voter rights march to Montgomery in 1965. Interviews with some of the marchers and black and white photographs highlight the struggles of African Americans to get the right to vote.
      Author: Partridge, Elizabeth HSE Descriptors: social studies

    On the Wings of Peace
      This is a collection of illustrations and various types of text, all provided by noted authors and illustrators, that focus on issues related to peace. Many cultures are represented among characters and in illustrations.
      Author: Hamanaka, Sheila (comp.) HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies

    One Thousand Tracings: Healing the Wounds of World War II
      One family in the USA begins an effort to help those in Europe suffering from the aftermath of WWII by sending shoes and other needed supplies.
      Author: Judge, Lita HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Only Passing Through
      Strong illustrations help tell this biography of Sojourner Truth. An Author's Note updates the relevance of Sojourner Truth and provides a helpful timeline.
      Author: Rockwell, Anne HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Orphan Train Rider: One Boy's True Story
      Between 1859 and 1929, more than 200,000 children were sent "west" on Orphan Trains. The chapters in this book alternate between telling the larger history of this event and telling the individual story of one Orphan Train Rider, Lee Nailling.
      Author: Warren, Andrea HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Passage to Freedom
      Hiroki Sugihara tells the true story of how his father, who was Japanese consul to Lithuania during World War II, issued visas to Jews to escape the Nazis without the approval of his government. The afterword supplements the story with the consequences o
      Author: Mochizuki, Ken HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Perfect Shot, The
      Ostensibly a murder mystery, this book explores many issues--civil rights, prejudice, judicial system, stereotyping, meaningful teaching--while offering exciting descriptions of basketball. Brian must decide whether to speak out when his girlfriend, her
      Author: Alphin, Elaine Marie HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Shadow Children, The
      While visiting his grandfather in France, Etienne discovers a secret from the days of World War II and the Nazis.
      Author: Schnur, Steven HSE Descriptors: social studies

    She Would Not Be Moved
      Kohl tells the historically correct version of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Rosa Park's role in it. This revised biography of Rosa Parks stresses her activist background and the violent environment of racism to counter the prevailing picture of her as a
      Author: Kohl, Herbert HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Tin Forest, The
      An old man living in a wasteland of scrap metal dreams of a green forest full of birds and animals. This charming, beautifully illustrated modern legend extolls the benefits of dreaming and ideas in accomplishing change.
      Author: Ward, Helen

    Way Things Never Were, The
      The eight chapters of this interesting book, subtitled "The Truth About the 'Good Old Days,'" contrast life in the 50s and 60s with today. Topics addressed include communication, health, transportation, education, world events, etc. The print insets for p
      Author: Finkelstein, Norman HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Where the Wild Horses Roam
      Text and accompanying photographs portray the "ways" of the wild horses in the U.S. West. Issues related to the necessity of managing these animals, especially on public lands, are also addressed.
      Author: Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw HSE Descriptors: social studies | science

Social Studies > sociology > social issues > social action > activism
    Amistad: A Long Road to Freedom
      When slaves on the ship Amistad rebelled and tried to return home to Africa, they were captured and embroiled in legal battles of slavery and abolition in the U.S. The book includes sections on Further Reading, Bibliography, Epilogue, and endpaper courtr
      Author: Myers, Walter Dean HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Big Annie of Calumet
      Big Annie is the story of Annie Clemenc who led the miners' strike of 1913 in Calumet, Michigan against the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company. The book contains many photographs of the strike and conditions in the mines and a brief overview of the Industri
      Author: Stanley, Jerry HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Cats in Krasinski Square, The
      With a simple text and marvelous watercolors, Hesse tells a true story of the bravery of the Jewish Resistance who helped the Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. End matter provides more historical background.
      Author: Hesse, Karen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Cool Drink of Water, A
      Colorful photographs and simple text present people around the world obtaining water to drink. End matter includes a map, geographic locations of photos, and an essay on water conservation that teachers will find useful.
      Author: Kerley, Barbara HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Facing the Lion
      Enhanced by a few, vivid color photos, this memoir recounts the Maasi childhood and first encounters with European and American culture of an American teacher who spends part of each year working in Kenya. An afterword brings the reader up to date with L
      Author: Lekuton, Joseph HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Freedom on the Menu
      The author portrays the 1960's Civil Rights sit-ins at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina through the eyes of a young Southern black girls. Richly muted paintings illustrate the story.
      Author: Weatherford, Carole Boston HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Freedom River
      In this true story, John Parker, an ex-slave in Ripley, Ohio, helps a family on the Underground Railroad. Beautiful watercolor collages illustrate the story. Historical notes, additional books, suggested websites, and maps make this useful in the classr
      Author: Rappaport, Doreen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Freedom's Children
      Thirty African Americans tell their youthful experiences in the civil rights movement. The book includes a chronology, a who's who, a list of acronyms, and a bibliography.
      Author: Levine, Ellen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Gandhi
      The remarkable life of Mahatma Gandhi is told through simple text and beautiful Moghul-inspired illustrations. An author's note includes additional information and maps locate the principle places involved in his life.
      Author: Demi HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Girls
      The subtitle, A History of Growing Up Female in America, tells it all. The 10 chapters cover history from colonial America to the Millennium. A good index and Selections for Further Reading make this a good reference text. The author selects girls from
      Author: Colman, Penny HSE Descriptors: science

    Gwendolyn Brooks
      This biography describes the influences and hardships of the early years and the political activism of the later years of the African American poet Gwendolyn Brooks. The book includes a chronology, archival photos, an index, a list of published works and
      Author: Hill, Christine M. HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies | language arts - writing

    Hoot
      This charming and funny young adult mystery by the well-known adult mystery writer, Carl Hiassen, involves corporate greed, suburban expansion, environmental protection, child abuse and neglect, bullying, and social protest.
      Author: Hiassen, Carl

    In the Promised Land
      From Asser Levy in 1654 to Steven Spielberg today, this book provides one-page illustrated biographies of thirteen famous Jews. In addition, the author includes other print and web resources.
      Author: Rappaport, Doreen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Journey of the Red Wolf
      The author-photographer traces the red wolf from near extinction in 1971 to their current reintroduction into their native habitat. The book includes and Afterword, a list of Where to See Red Wolves, and an Index.
      Author: Smith, Roland HSE Descriptors: science

    Let It Shine
      These ten essays on African American women introduce well-know and some lesser known freedom fighters. The colorful illustrations, the informative text, and the chatty tone will attract readers. The author's introducation and suggestions for further read
      Author: Pinkney, Andrea HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Letting Swift River Go
      This book tells the story of a community's act of selling up the houses and land to the government so that a water reservoir can be built. It is told from the view point of a woman who felt as though she lost her childhood because all her landmarks had
      Author: Yolen, Jane

    Martin Luther King
      Folk art paintings accompany this biography of Dr. King. A timeline of important events in his life concludes the book.
      Author: Bray, Rosemary HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Martin's Big Words
      Brief and easy-to-read biographical statements are accompanied by MLK's words and award-winning illustrations. An abbreviated Civil Rights chronology and bibliography conclude the book.
      Author: Rappaport, Doreen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers
      Grace, an 11 year-old girl writes a letter to Abraham Lincoln suggesting that he grow whiskers to help him win the election.
      Author: Winnick, Karen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Nobody Particular
      A graphic novel format depicts the activist Diane Wilson and her fight against water pollution along the Gulf Coast of Texas. The illustrations contain diagrams to explain problems of pollution.
      Author: Bang, Molly HSE Descriptors: science

    One and Only Ivan, The
      When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall,he decides that he must find them a better life. Although a work of fiction, this story comes from a true story
      Author: Applegate, Katherine HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | science

    Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place, The
      Margaret Rose Kane, 12 years old, escapes oppressive summer camp with the help of her great-uncles and then helps them rescue from urban renewal the sculptural "towers" that they have been creating for 45 years.
      Author: Konigsburg, E. L.

    Pearl Moscowitz's Last Stand
      Pearl M., a long-time resident of her city street, refuses to let the city chop down the last gingko tree on the block. The book depicts the different ethnic groups that have moved on the street, but shows a real community of people interacting and livin
      Author: Levine, Arthur A.

    Persepolis I: The Story of a Childhood
      In this first of two volumes about the author's life, Satrapi tells of her childhood and coming of age in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and the Iran/Iraq war.
      Author: Satrapi, Marjane HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - writing

    Princess of the Press
      This biography of Ida Wells- Barnett chronicles her remarkable career in civil rights as a journalist against lynching, publisher of African American newspapers, speaker and activist for women's right to vote, and founder of the National Association for t
      Author: Medearis, Angela HSE Descriptors: social studies

    River Ran Wild, A
      This book recounts the history of the Nashua River in Massachusetts and New Hampshire life from idyllic Algonquin Indian times to industrial pollution to a restored river due to the efforts of Marion Stoddart who coordinated a citizen campaign. The text
      Author: Cherry, Lynn HSE Descriptors: social studies | science

    Seek
      For a senior class autobiography assignment, Robbie creates "a sound portrait" in a radio script format, which includes his extended family and his search for his long-absent father. One reviewer thought that the text is too disjointed and confusing for
      Author: Fleischman, Paul

    Si, Se Puede (Yes, We Can!)
      Text in both English and Spanish on each page tells the story of a mother who becomes active in union organization. This story is based on the 2000 janitors' strike in Los Angeles. An essay by Luis J. Rodriguez describes a real-life activist whose goals a
      Author: Cohn, Diana HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Stand for Children
      Marian Wright Edelman delivered this speech at the Stand for Children demonstration in 1996 in Washington, D.C. Pictures of photo-transfer quilts with multicultural themes illustrate the book. An Author's Note gives background on the demonstration.
      Author: Edelman, Marian Wright

    Stolen Dreams
      This collection of photographic essays on child labor around the world explores the physical and political conditions, the economic and health effects, and what can be done to reduce it. The author/photographer includes a list of questions, a bibliograph
      Author: Parker, David HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Sweet Smell of Roses, A
      The book jacket says it all: "There's a sweet, sweet smell in the air as two young girls sneak out of their house, down the street, and across town to where men and women are gathered, ready to march for freedom and justice?--with Martin Luther King, Jr.
      Author: Johnson, Angela HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving
      After years of lobbying, Sarah Hale, an editor and writer, won the battle to have Thanksgiving declared a national holiday. Back matter includes historical and biographical information. Adults may find the tone of voice and some illustrations childish a
      Author: Anderson, Laurie Halse HSE Descriptors: social studies

    We Shall Not Be Moved
      This is the story of the shirtwaist industry in New York (early 1900s) and the young women who formed a union, managed a months-long strike, and brought the nation's attention to their low pay and cruel working conditions.
      Author: Dash, Joan HSE Descriptors: social studies

    When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders
      This book features 17 figures who fought against injustice and oppression all over the world. Against overwhelming odds and heartbreaking loss, they stood, they hoped, they spoke! These well and lesser known leaders are portrayed in poetry as heroes who h
      Author: Lewis, J. Patrick HSE Descriptors: language arts - reading | social studies | language arts - writing

    With Courage and Cloth
      This story of women's suffrage in the U.S. concentrates on the early 20th century, although previous activities serve as a context. Illustrated with archival photos from the time,the book includes a chronology, bibliography, profiles, and other sources.
      Author: Bausum, Ann HSE Descriptors: social studies

Social Studies > sociology >social issues> social action > activism > Chavez, Cesar
    Barrio
      Photographs present the life of Jose and his family who live in a barrio or Hispanic neighborhood in San Francisco. A glossary contains Spanish words used in the story. One reviewer felt that the glorification/simplification of the issues addressed may m
      Author: Ancona, George HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Dear Mr. Rosenwald
      This is a fictionalized story of one community's efforts to build a school based on the historical Rosenwald schools. These schools in the American South were financed by Julius Rosenwald of Sears Roebuck and required collaboration of black and white com
      Author: Weatherford, Carole Boston HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez
      This is a picture biography of Cesar Chavez. It focuses on his childhood and initial efforts at organizing farm workers in the mid-60s, creating The National Form Workers Association.
      Author: Krull, Kathleen HSE Descriptors: social studies

Social Studies > sociology > social issues > social action > advocacy
    A. D., New Orleans After the Deluge
      This graphic novel originates in the personal involvement of the writer/artist in Hurricane Katrina, contributing seven vivid, authentic voices to enrich our understanding of this national disaster. Juxtaposed alongside the images we saw on television as
      Author: Neufeld, Josh HSE Descriptors: social studies

    A. D., New Orleans After the Deluge
      This graphic novel originates in the personal involvement of the writer/artist in Hurricane Katrina, contributing seven vivid, authentic voices to enrich our understanding of this national disaster. Juxtaposed alongside the images we saw on television as
      Author: Neufeld, Josh HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Cheap Raw Material: How Our Youngest Workers Are Exploited and Abused
      This book is a chronological nonfiction account of children as laborers. Child labor in the U.S. is the focus, but historical background (e.g., Rome, England) is also provided. This history is chronicled through quotations from primary sources, stories
      Author: Meltzer, Milton HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Eleanor, Quiet No More
      The author tells the story of Eleanor Roosevelt's life simply, each phase emphasizing a quote of hers. In addition to lovely, soft illustrations, the author includes a timeline, selected bibliograph, and web sites.
      Author: Rappaport, Doreen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Eleanor, Quiet No More
      The author tells the story of Eleanor Roosevelt's life simply, each phase emphasizing a quote of hers. In addition to lovely, soft illustrations, the author includes a timeline, selected bibliograph, and web sites.
      Author: Rappaport, Doreen HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Light Shining through the Mist
      Lush color photographs and text tell the story of how Dian Fossey studied the gorillas in Africa and died trying to protect them and their habitat during a time of political unrest.
      Author: Matthews, Tom HSE Descriptors: science

    Snake Pits, Talking Cures, and Magic Bullets: A History of Mental Illness
      This is a roughly chronological history of thinking about and treatment for persons with mental illness. Boxed text throughout focuses on special issues. End material offers many opportunities for follow-up.
      Author: Kent, Deborah HSE Descriptors: science | social studies

    Stolen Dreams
      This collection of photographic essays on child labor around the world explores the physical and political conditions, the economic and health effects, and what can be done to reduce it. The author/photographer includes a list of questions, a bibliograph
      Author: Parker, David HSE Descriptors: social studies

    Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom
      This is an enlightening text illustrating the importance of the bicycle as a way to change the world by cultivating independence. The photographs, newspaper articles, advertisements, etc., beautifully depict the history, ending with a timeline comparing w
      Author: Macy, Sue HSE Descriptors: social studies | language arts - reading


Ohio Aspire

Contact us

Ohio Aspire
p: 800.765.2897 option 2
p: 330.672.2007 option 2
f: 330.672.4841
ohiopdn@literacy.kent.edu

Explore more resources at:

Ohio Aspire
PDN Library