The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon

Sam lives in Chicago in 1968, during a time when the civil rights movement is in full force. His father is a peaceful activist leader and friends with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When Sam's older brother becomes interested in the Black Panthers, a civil rights organization that is not always peaceful, he is kicked out of the house. After learning more about the Black Panthers, Sam is torn between what his father has always taught him and what his brother is doing. When events turn deadly, Sam must decide for himself what actions to take. The Rock and the River

is a very powerful civil rights book and is appropriate for students in grades five and up. It is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list.

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

Ida Mae is a light-skinned African American growing up in the south during WWII. Her daddy taught her how to fly their crop duster airplane, but after her father dies, she misses flying. When her brother ships off to fight in the war, Ida Mae decides she's tired of waiting around and she joins the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots), passing as a white woman. While she loves flying for the WASP, she finds out that passing as a white woman is not as easy as she thought (especially emotionally). Flygirl is a great novel about women's rights, World War II, being true to yourself, and segregation. Flygirl

is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list and is appropriate for 6th grade and up.

Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry

When Brother's father is shipped to Iraq, Brother promises to help his grandparents take care of their ranch. Brother's family has always owned a ranch, but unlike his older brothers,

he's not sure that's what he'd like to do when he grows up. When a tragedy strikes his grandfather, Brother learns what his true calling is. Heart of a Shepherd is a great story about growing up, living in the west, and religion. It is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list.