The Jane Addams Children's Book Awards

Looking for some inspirational summer reading for all ages? Look no further than the Jane Addams Children's Book Awards, given annually to works "that effectively promote the cause of peace, social justice, world community, and the equality of the sexes and all races as well as meeting conventional standards for excellence."

From their list of 2010 winners, I would particularly recommend National Book Award winner Claudette Colvin by Phillip Hoose. Wonderful for grades 6 and up, this book tells parts of the story of the Montgomery bus boycott that have long been forgotten.

Almost a year before Rosa Parks famously stood up for equal rights, a courageous high school student independently challenged the segregated seating arrangements on the buses and was arrested and imprisoned as a result. Instead of becoming a hero, Colvin was shunned by many in her community and later fell into obscurity. You can read more about this remarkable woman in the New York Times.