Traveling the Freedom Road: From Slavery & the Civil War Through Reconstruction by Linda Barrett Osborne

"Countries have stories to tell, just as people do."

Summary: In association with the Library of Congress. "From the perspective of those who lived through a time of pain, strife, and hope comes a powerful message for Black History Month and all year long." Told through unforgettable first-person accounts from slave narratives, journals, diaries, and other sources--much of it never before published for young people--this book is an overview of the antebellum South, the Civil War, and Reconstruction, 1800 to 1877. The perspectives of children and adults who lived through this time and witnessed its significant events are provided alongside photographs, engravings, news clippings, and other archival material held in the collections of the Library of Congress, and offer a poignant message for readers. A bibliography and an index round out the many offerings of this important addition to black history books for young readers.

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 128 pages

Cicada Summer by Andrea Beaty

"Some people think the cicadas bring trouble when they come to town."

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Summary: Twelve-year-old Lily mourns her brother, and has not spoken since the accident she feels she could have prevented. The summer Tinny comes to town, she is the only one who realizes Lily's secret.

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; 167 pages