Freedom! The Story of the Black Panther Party

Freedom! The Story of the Black Panther Party offers a comprehensive and engaging look at one of America's most influential and controversial Black Power organizations. Written by experts, including a new talent for younger readers, this book delves into the party's founding by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, their Ten-Point Program, community survival initiatives like the Free Breakfast Program, and their confrontations with police and government surveillance. It thoughtfully addresses the complexities, internal struggles, and enduring legacy of the Panthers, making it an essential read for young adults aged 12-18 interested in civil rights, social justice, and American history. Parents should be aware of the prominent themes of violence, discrimination, and character death, which are handled with historical accuracy.

Booklist Editors’ Choice WINNER of the Russell Freedman Award for Non-Fiction for a Better World Knowledge is power. The secret is this. Knowledge, applied at the right time and place, is more than power. It’s magic. That’s what the Black Panther Party did. They called up this magic and launched a revolution. In the beginning, it was a story like any other. It could have been yours and it could have been mine. But once it got going, it became more than any one person could have imagined. This is the story of Huey and Bobby. Eldridge and Kathleen. Elaine and Fred and Ericka. This is the story of the committed party members. Their supporters and allies. The Free Breakfast Program and the Ten Point Program. It’s about Black nationalism, Black radicalism, about Black people in America. From the authors of the acclaimed book, Black Against Empire: The History and Politics of the Black Panther Party, and introducing new talent Jetta Grace Martin, comes the story of the Panthers for younger readers—meticulously researched, thrillingly told, and filled with incredible photographs throughout. P R A I S E ★ “A passionate, honest, and intimate look into an important time in civil rights history.” —Booklist (starred) ★ “Impeccable writing and stellar design make this title highly recommended.” —School Library Journal (starred) “Detailed, thoroughly researched...A valuable addition to the history of African American resistance.” —Kirkus