Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights

Author: Rob Sanders
Illustrator: Jared Andrew Schorr

Element 6: Social Action

Purchase Link:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/peaceful-fights-for-equal-rights-rob-sanders/d9f375b26c71e6da?ean=9781534429437&next=t

Summary 

Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights is a picture book about peaceful protests, sit-ins, and demonstrations. As they demonstrate with simple A–Z actions like “Assemble,” “Listen,” “March,” and “Vote,” the book shows that activism can be peaceful, creative, and inclusive, even for children. With bold paper-cut-out illustrations and powerful verbs, it demonstrates that social change occurs when people work together. This children's book offers a gentle, child-friendly plan for how we can all participate in movements as they work to make the world fairer and more just.

Element 6- Social Action

This book is a great example of Element 6, as it teaches children exactly how to address the issues that face their communities. Instead of just pointing out a problem, the book suggests practical, age-appropriate ways to take action, such as writing letters, creating signs and banners, marching in protest, organizing groups or demonstrations, speaking up, and spreading awareness. It presents children as powerful agents of change, demonstrating how peaceful actions can have a profound impact. It’s about doing, participating, and using your voice – which aligns with Element 6. It’s about getting students to practice the skills they will use themselves. 

Classroom Activity

The lesson objective is for students to learn what it means when people work together to effect positive change in their school. I would read this book to a 2nd–5th-grade classroom during a social justice or civics unit. Afterward, students would select a cause they care about, such as books for playgrounds, lunch options, environmental stewardship, or community kindness, and plan a small social action project using the book’s actions to write down their own idea for an A–Z project as a class. Students could produce protest signs, compose letters to the principal, launch a kindness campaign, or post short videos encouraging their classmates to support their cause. This provides students with the opportunity to practice activism in a safe and meaningful manner.

Guide with activities and lesson ideas for Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights:

https://www.robsanderswrites.com/_files/ugd/bdf277_cef1e7320a47404090188ff394d88737.pdf