Lower School Reading Recommendations for Black History Month

February is Black History Month. Sage Ridge Lower School faculty offer resources for parents to share with their children in grades 3-5.

"As parents, we have a duty to help our children understand their country, their citizenship in light of all our history," Head of School Tobin Bechtel said. "Black History Month every year gives us an opportunity to help our children deepen their understanding of courage, integrity, and respect through the stories of our nation."

Grade 4 students in Melissa Kirkwood's class read about Martin Luther King Jr. and map a timeline of his life during the Civil Rights Movement. Students also write a short reflection about King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

Reading recommendations from Ms. Kirkwood

“Martin Luther King Jr.” by Bea Silverberg

“Dr. King's Memorial” by Kira Freed

Reading recommendations from Josiann Trainor, Grade 5 teacher

“The Story of Ruby Bridges” by Robert Coles

“Rosa Parks: My Story” by Rosa Parks and Jim Haskins

“Who Was Rosa Parks?” by Yona Zeldis McDonough

“I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly, The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl” by Joyce Hansen

“Sugar” by Jewell Parker Rhodes

“A Picture Book of Rosa Parks” by David A. Adler

“The Bus Ride That Changed History: The Story of Rosa Parks” by Pamela Duncan Edwards 

“Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Doreen Rappaport

Mr. Bechtel repeated a quote often attributed to his hero, the late Congressman John Lewis—"If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it."

"It is this kind of intellectual character we want our children to have in their hearts and head," Mr. Bechtel said.