The Founding Fathers may have seemed to guarantee the rights of all citizens when they declared independence in 1776 and again when the U.S. Constitution was written. However, for almost 200 years, black Americans didn't receive the full extent of these rights. This book written for struggling readers introduces students to the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, including its victories and disappointments. Central figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X are featured, and a timeline helps readers understand the movement's progression. The text supports knowledge building, a key component in the science of reading.