New York Times bestselling author Jemar Tisby collects the true, impactful stories of figures from across history—from the well-known to those often forgotten—who resisted racism and created a legacy of hope and perseverance. Each short biography is paired with an illustration to help inspire young readers to continue to work toward justice today.

We are living in the civil rights movement of our day. But the challenges of the present call us to remember the past. Throughout American history, there has always been a resilient group of people who, motivated by their faith, resisted oppression and pushed for greater equality and liberty for all. From well-known figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman, to those time has nearly forgotten, all these people tapped into an abiding spirit of justice to pursue the dignity of all people.

Stories of the Spirit of Justice is the companion book for young readers ages 8-12 to Jemar Tisby’s The Spirit of Justice and tells the story of the justice movement through short biographies of the figures who did the work. With illustrations depicting the people profiled and practical tips connecting readers to the continued fight for justice, this is essential reading for everyone who still dreams of a land where all are truly free.

Stories of the Spirit of Justice:

• covers the colonial era to the present day
• includes inspiring takeaways from each person’s life and a bibliography for further reading
• roots each story in the historical moment, with descriptions of the state of justice in different eras in American history
• can be used by families and church or school groups to start meaningful conversations with kids

BIO

Jemar Tisby is a New York Times bestselling author, national speaker, and public historian on a mission to deliver truths from the Black experience with depth and clarity.

REVIEWS

"In this standout companion to his adult book The Spirit of Justice (2024), historian and theologian Tisby highlights over 40 Black individuals from colonial times to present day who have experienced racism and undertook the fight for racial justice in America. Divided into time periods, it offers historical background on the transatlantic slave trade, enslavement, the abolitionist movement during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, the Jim Crow era, and the civil rights movement. Each time period includes short biographies of notable Black individuals, as well as lesser-known activists who were standouts for their lasting impact, like Prathia Hall, who coined the phrase 'I have a dream' before MLK Jr. did, and Anna Arnold Hedgeman and Dorothy Height, who helped plan the 1963 March on Washington. Readers will be gratified to see familiar names and curious to research those they don't know. Including black-and-white profile illustrations and back matter notes and bibliography, this will be a great conversation starter on how to continue the fight for racial justice that these Black leaders started, often despite great hardship." -- Booklist

"Jemar Tisby's experience as a teacher and public speaker, including his "Pass The Mic" podcast, is evident in this clear, compelling narration of his own work. A companion piece to his book THE SPIRIT OF JUSTICE, this collection shares stories about dozens of people who followed their faith to seek justice and pursue the dignity of all people. Tisby's stories are concise and meaningful, and his voice is a great vehicle for sharing them--at times warm and comforting, and other times strident and firm. Listeners of all ages will find reasons to revisit this resource. With its discussion prompts and suggestions for further reading, this audiobook will generate many meaningful conversations." -- AudioFile

[H]  Zonderkidz  /  January 07, 2025

0.7" H x 9.1" L x 5.9" W (0.9 lbs) 224 pages

For ages 8 to 12