Books in Graphic Us History series

When thinking about Ninjas people often picture deadly killers wearing black clothing. However, while ninjas could be fierce and skilled warriors, they weren't just assassins who sneaked around in the dark. They more often worked as spies and secret agents who gathered intelligence and information on enemy clans. Dynamic illustrations and engaging tales of ninja warriors teach readers what it was like to be a stealthy secret agent in Medieval Japan.

James Meredith's 1966 march in Mississippi began as one man's peaceful protest for voter registration and became one of the South's most important demonstrations of the civil rights movement. It brought together leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Stokely Carmichael, who formed an unlikely alliance that resulted in the Black Power movement, which ushered in a new era in the fight for equality. The retelling of Meredith's story opens on the day of his assassination attempt and goes back in time to recount the moments leading up to that event and its aftermath. Readers learn about the powerful figures and emerging leaders who joined the over 200-mile walk that became known as the "March Against Fear." Thoughtfully presented by award-winning author Ann Bausum, this book helps readers understand the complex issues of fear, injustice, and the challenges of change. It is a history lesson that's as important and relevant today as it was 50 years ago.

On March 9, 1862, the world's first battle between two ironclad warships took place in the confined waters of Hampton Roads, Virginia. The previous day the Confederate ironclad CSS Merrimack - officially the CSS Virginia - impervious to her enemy's guns, had sunk two Union warships. When she re-emerged from Norfolk to complete the destruction of the Union blockading squadron, the USS Monitor steamed out to meet her. The four-hour duel that ensued was a stalemate, but crucially the Virginia had failed to break the Northern blockade of the Southern ports. In a single battle these two ironclads rendered wooden warships obsolete and transformed the face of naval warfare forever.This full-color comic book includes further reading, essential information on the background, aftermath and key players of the conflict, illustrating one of the most revolutionary naval battles in world history and transports the reader to the cramped and dangerous conditions that the sailors faced for the first time.

In this action-packed graphic novel, witness the Boston Massacre, the event when American colonists believed that they had been treated and taxed unfairly for years by Great Britain, leading to a clashing with British troops. Eye-popping artwork and easy-to-read text offer an appealing, accessible alternative for struggling and reluctant readers. An additional information section provides key facts and further understanding. The perfect book for budding historians, comic book fans, and everyone in between!

In 1915, the United States experienced the 9/11 of its time. A German torpedo sank the Lusitania killing nearly 2,000 innocent passengers. The ensuing hysteria helped draw the United States into World War I—the bitter, brutal conflict that became known as the Great War and the War to End All Wars. But as U.S. troops fought to make the world safe for democracy abroad, our own government eroded freedoms at home, especially for German-Americans. Free speech was no longer an operating principle of American democracy. Award-winning author Ann Bausum asks, just where do Americans draw the line of justice in times of war?Drawing thought-provoking parallels with President Wilson’s government and other wartime administrations, from FDR to George W. Bush, Bausum’s analysis has plenty of history lessons for the world today. Her exhaustive research turns up astonishing first-person stories and rare images, and the full-color design is fresh and stunning. The result is a gripping book that is well-positioned for the run-up to the World War I centennial.National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.