Tanya Lee Stone, Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote (New York: Square Fish, 2010). Age Level: 6-10 Publisher Description: Elizabeth Cady Stanton stood up and fought for what she believed in. From an early age, she knew that women were not given rights equal to men. But rather than accept her lesser status, Elizabeth went to college and later gathered other like-minded women to challenge the right to vote. Here is the inspiring story of an extraordinary woman who changed America forever because she wouldn't take "no" for an answer.

Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Kids on Strike! (New York: Sandpiper, 2003). Age Level: 9 and up Publisher Description: By the early 1900s, nearly two million children were working in the United States. From the coal mines of Pennsylvania to the cotton mills of New England, children worked long hours every day under stunningly inhumane conditions. After years and years of oppression, children began to organize and make demands for better wages, fairer housing costs, and safer working environments. Some strikes led by young people were successful; some were not. Some strike stories are shocking, some are heartbreaking, and many are inspiring - but all are a testimony to the strength of mind and spirit of the children who helped build American industry.

Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Growing Up In Coal Country (New York: Sandpiper, 1999). Age Level: 8 and up Publisher Description: Inspired by her in-laws' recollections of working in coal country, Susan Campbell Bartoletti has gathered the voices of men, women, and children who immigrated to and worked in northeastern Pennsylvania at the turn of the century. The story that emerges is not just a story of long hours, little pay, and hazardous working conditions; it is also the uniquely American story of immigrant families working together to make a new life for themselves. It is a story of hardship and sacrifice, yet also of triumph and the fulfillment of hopes and dreams.

Sharon Dennis Wyeth, Something Beautiful (New York: Dragonfly Books, 2002). Age Level: 3-7 Publisher Description: A little girl longs to see beyond the scary sights on the sidewalk and the angry scribbling in the halls of her building. When her teacher writes the word beautiful on the blackboard, the girl decides to look for something beautiful in her neighborhood. Her neighbors tell her about their own beautiful things. Miss Delphine serves her a "beautiful" fried fish sandwich at her diner. At Mr. Lee's "beautiful" fruit store, he offers her an apple. Old Mr. Sims invites her to touch a smooth stone he always carries. Beautiful means "something that when you have it, your heart is happy," the girl thinks. Her search for "something beautiful" leaves her feeling much happier. She has experienced the beauty of friendship and the power of hope.

Ruth Rocha and Otavio Roth, Universal Declaration of Human Rights: An Adaptation for Children (Pennsylvania: United Nations Publication, 1990). Age Level: 7 and up Publisher Description: This book is a lovely picture book about the complicated subject of human rights. The author, Ruth Rocha, rewrote parts of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to help children understand this subject. Rocha reduces the Declaration's articles into easily understood one or two line sentences. This allows children to grasp the essence of human rights, and makes the book a great introduction to human rights.

Ntozake Shange, We Troubled the Waters (New York: Amistad, 2009). Age Level: 6-10 Publisher Description: From slavery to the separation of "colored" and "white" and from horrifying oppression to inspiring courage, there are countless stories-both forgotten and immortalized-of everyday and extraordinary people who acted for justice during the civil rights movement that changed our nation. Award-winning poet Ntozake Shange and illustrator Rod Brown give voice to all those who fought for their unalienable rights in a triumphant book about the power of the human spirit.

National Geographic, Every Human Has Rights: What You Need to Know About Your Human Rights (National Geographic Children's Books, 2008). Age Level: 10 and up Publisher Description: The 30 rights set down in 1948 by the United Nations are incredibly powerful. According to the U.N., every human-just by virtue of being human-is entitled to freedom, a fair government, a decent standard of living, work, play, and education, freedom to come and go as we please and to associate with anyone we please, and the right to express ourselves freely. Every Human Has Rights offers kids an accessibly written list of these rights, commentary-much of it deeply emotional-by other kids, and richly evocative photography illustrating each right. At the end of this deceptively simple book, kids will know-and feel-that regardless of individual differences and circumstances, each person is valuable and worthy of respect.

Larry Dane Brimmer, Birmingham Sunday (Pennsylvania: Boyds Mills Press, 2010). Age Level: 10 and up Publisher Description: Racial bombings were so frequent in Birmingham that it became known as ''Bombingham.'' Until September 15, 1963, these attacks had been threatening but not deadly. On that Sunday morning, however, a blast in the 16th Street Baptist Church ripped through the exterior wall and claimed the lives of four girls. The church was the ideal target for segregationists, as it was the rallying place for Birmingham's African American community, Martin Luther King, Jr., using it as his ''headquarters'' when he was in town to further the cause of desegregation and equal rights. Rather than triggering paralyzing fear, the bombing was the definitive act that guaranteed passage of the landmark 1964 civil rights legislation. Birmingham Sunday centers on this fateful day and places it in historical context.

Kermit the Frog and Louise Gikow, For Every Child, a Better World (New York: Goldencraft in cooperation with United Nations, 1993). Age Level: All Publisher Description: The familiar character of Kermit the Frog teaches young readers about the plight of young children who lack the basic human necessities and the efforts of the United Nations to provide such essentials as housing, water, food, and medical aid.

Judith Llyod Yero, American Documents: The Bill of Rights (National Geographic Children's Books, 2006). Age Level: 10 and up Publisher Description: Judith Llyod Yero's thought-provoking text, coupled with carefully selected images from the past and present, challenge young readers to carefully examine and understand the Constitution's first ten Amendments, which guarantee their basic human rights. In addition to defining these rights, Yero puts them into the context of present-day life so that kids will recognize that the Bill of Rights is as important to their daily lives as it was to the lives of the first citizens of the newly independent United States. Included in the back matter are the full text of the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Rights of the Stamp Act Congress, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and the Miranda Rights.

Joy Berry, Mine & Yours: Human Rights for Kids (New York: powerHouse Books, 2005). Grade Level: 3-5 Publisher Description: In 1946 the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, headed by Eleanor Roosevelt, began to formulate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The ideals compiled by the commission have become beacons of dignity and hope for people the world over. For the first time ever, essential human rights, as codified in the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, are being presented in a book specifically for children. Joy Berry's Mine & Yours: Human Rights for Kids, created in association with Amnesty International USA, define and explain for kids their rights, and teach them how to assert their rights with integrity and responsibility.

Jane Kurtz, Bicycle Madness (New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2003). Age Level: 7 and up Publisher Description: Lillie is having a difficult year. She's still struggling with her mother's recent death, and now her father has moved the family to the other side of town. But when Frances Willard-Lillie's new neighbor-decides to learn how to ride a bicycle, Lillie finds promising change all around her. Even though her father disapproves of their progressive neighbor, Lillie and Miss Frances soon become friends. Miss Frances is involved in more than taming a wild bike, however; she is part of Susan B. Anthony's circle, fighting for the right for women to vote, as well as child-labor laws and better conditions for workers. Together, Lillie and Miss Frances take on their beasts-a bike and a daunting spelling bee-and find the will to dust themselves off, get back up, and ride for all they're worth. Set in the late 1800s, this engaging novel skillfully blends fine storytelling with women's history.

Helen Recorvits, My Name is Yoon (Canada: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003). Age Level: 4-8 Publisher Description: Yoon's name means Shining Wisdom, and when she writes it in Korean, it looks happy, like dancing figures. But her father tells her that she must learn to write it in English. In English, all the lines and circles stand alone, which is just how Yoon feels in the United States. Yoon isn't sure that she wants to be YOON. At her new school, she tries out different names - maybe CAT or BIRD. Maybe CUPCAKE!

Greg Mortenson, Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg & Three Cups of Tea (New York: Penguin Group, 2009). Age Level: 6-8 Publisher Description: Greg Mortenson stumbled, lost and delirious, into a remote Himalayan village after a failed climb up K2. The villagers saved his life, and he vowed to return and build them a school. The remarkable story of his promise kept is now perfect for reading aloud. Told in the voice of Korphe's children, this story illuminates the humanity and culture of a relevant and distant part of the world in gorgeous collage, while sharing a riveting example of how one person can change thousands of lives.

Gina Capaldi, A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero (Minnesota: Carolrhoda Books, 2008). Grade Level: 2-4 Publisher Description: This story reveals the remarkable life of a Native American boy named Wassaja, or "Beckoning," who was kidnapped from his Yavapai tribe and sold as a slave. Adopted by an Italian photographer in 1871 and renamed Carlos Montezuma, the young boy traveled throughout the Old West, bearing witness to the prejudice against and poor treatment of Native Americans. Carlos eventually became a doctor and leader for his people, calling out for their rights. Gina Capaldi's exquisite paintings bring to life excerpts from Dr. Carlos Montezuma's own letters describing his childhood experiences. The culminating portrait provides an inventive look back into history through the eyes of a Native American hero.

Eve Bunting, One Green Apple (New York: Clarion Books, 2006). Age Level: 4-8 years Publisher Description: Farah feels alone, even when surrounded by her classmates. She listens and nods but doesn't speak. It is hard being the new kid in school, especially when you're from another country and don't know the language. Then, on a field trip to an apple orchard, Farah discovers there are lots of things that sound the same as they did at home, from dogs crunching their food to the ripple of friendly laughter. As she helps the class make apple cider, Farah connects with the other students and begins to feel that she belongs.

Elizabeth Winthrop, Counting on Grace (New York: Yearling, 2007). Age Level: 8 and up Publisher Description: 1910. Pownal, Vermont. At 12, Grace and her best friend Arthur must leave school and go to work as a "doffers" on their mothers' looms in the mill. Grace's mother is the best worker, fast and powerful, and Grace desperately wants to help her. But she's left handed and doffing is a right-handed job. Grace's every mistake costs her mother, and the family. She only feels capable on Sundays, when she and Arthur receive special lessons from their teacher. Together they write a secret letter to the Child Labor Board about underage children working in Pownal. A few weeks later a man with a camera shows up. It is the famous reformer Lewis Hine, undercover, collecting evidence for the Child Labor Board. Grace's brief acquaintance with Hine and the photos he takes of her are a gift that changes her sense of herself, her future, and her family's future.

Elizabeth Partridge, Marching For Freedom: Walk Together Children and Don't You Grow Weary (New York: Viking Juvenile, 2009). Age Level: 10 and up Publisher Description: An inspiring look at the fight for the vote, by an award-winning author only 44 years ago in the U.S., Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was leading a fight to win blacks the right to vote. Ground zero for the movement became Selma, Alabama. Award-winning author Elizabeth Partridge leads you straight into the chaotic, passionate, and deadly three months of protests that culminated in the landmark march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. Focusing on the courageous children who faced terrifying violence in order to march alongside King, this is an inspiring look at their fight for the vote. Stunningly emotional black-and-white photos accompany the text.

DK Publishing, Who's in Charge? (New York: DK Publishing, 2010). Age Level: 7 and up Publisher Description: A completely offbeat guide to the government and ruling bodies, Who's in Charge? investigates the world's political systems and presents them to kids in a fun, appealing way. From the Roman Republic to modern democracies, Who's in Charge? is packed with information on evolving notions of citizenship, rights, power, and elections, along with eye-opening trivia facts that might even teach adults a thing or two.

Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, Fatty Legs: a True Story (Ontario: Annick Press, 2010). Age Level: 9 and up Publisher Description: Eight-year-old Margaret Pokiak has set her sights on learning to read, even though it means leaving her village in the high Arctic. Faced with unceasing pressure, her father finally agrees to let her make the five-day journey to attend school, but he warns Margaret of the terrors of residential schools. At school Margaret soon encounters the Raven, a black-cloaked nun with a hooked nose and bony fingers that resemble claws. She immediately dislikes the strong-willed young Margaret. Intending to humiliate her, the heartless Raven gives gray stockings to all the girls -- all except Margaret, who gets red ones. In an instant Margaret is the laughingstock of the entire school. In the face of such cruelty, Margaret refuses to be intimidated and bravely gets rid of the stockings. Although a sympathetic nun stands up for Margaret, in the end it is this brave young girl who gives the Raven a lesson in the power of human dignity.