Well, 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker is very influential. It focuses on the life of African - American women in the South, dealing with themes of racism, sexism, and abuse. The story shows how the main character overcomes these hardships and finds her own voice in the fight for civil rights.
A lesser - known but still important one is 'March' by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell. It's a graphic novel trilogy that chronicles the life of John Lewis, a key figure in the civil rights movement. It's a great way to introduce the civil rights movement to new generations through its engaging visual and narrative style.
Definitely 'Beloved' by Toni Morrison. This book is set in the aftermath of slavery and explores the lingering effects of slavery on African - Americans. It's a complex and profound exploration of the African - American experience and the struggle for civil rights and self - identity.
Definitely 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' by James Baldwin. This book looks at the life of a young African - American man growing up in Harlem. It touches on themes of race, religion, and family. Baldwin's writing is so powerful as he shows how these different aspects of life intersect and affect the main character's understanding of himself and his place in the world in the context of civil rights.
I think 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is very influential. It has been widely read and studied in schools, making people more aware of racial inequality. 'The Color Purple' also had a huge impact. It gave a voice to African - American women and their struggles. 'Invisible Man' too, as it made readers think deeply about the invisibility of black people in society at that time.
Well, 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead is quite popular. It reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad underground. It's a powerful exploration of the escape from slavery which was a huge precursor to the civil rights movement.
I think 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is highly impactful. It has been widely read and taught in schools. It makes people think about justice and racial prejudice. Then there's 'The Fire Next Time' by James Baldwin. His writing is very powerful in addressing the race situation in America. And 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead is also impactful as it reimagines the Underground Railroad in a fictional but deeply moving way.
I also recommend 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' by Mildred D. Taylor. Set in Mississippi during the Great Depression, it shows the struggles of an African - American family against racism. It details the discrimination they face in school, in the community, and in their daily lives, and how they resist and fight for their rights.
They often have a strong sense of time and place. For example, they might be set in a particular era like the 1960s in the United States when the civil rights movement was at its peak. This helps the reader understand the context of the civil rights struggle.
One of the most influential in recent years is 'The One and Only Ivan'. It tells the story of a captive gorilla and his journey towards a better life. It has raised awareness about the living conditions of animals in captivity. Another is 'The Bear and the Nightingale' which, although not solely focused on animal rights, has elements that make readers more empathetic towards animals in a magical - realism setting.
I think 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley is quite influential in historical fiction. It predicted many aspects of modern society based on the trends of its time. 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker is also important. It tells the story of African - American women in the early 20th century, shining a light on their struggles. And 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' by Gabriel García Márquez, while set in a fictional town, reflects on the history of Latin America in many ways.
Another is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. Although it's not strictly historical fiction as it was written closer to the events it describes, it is set during the civil rights struggle in a small southern town. It focuses on issues of racism and justice through the eyes of a young girl.
I think 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker is very influential. It shows the life of African - American women in the early 20th century, dealing with issues like racism and sexism. It has been widely read and studied.