Imagine a world where you were judged only by the content of your character, not on your religious beliefs, color of skin, where you lived, how much money you had or didn't have.

Imagine a world where people wore the "golden rule" like a badge of honor; where "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" was exactly how people treated you and in turn, how you treated others.

Black History Month affords us an important opportunity to think about these ideas by focusing not only on the history and struggles of African-Americans in this country, but by also challenging us to recognize and reflect upon the dangers of prejudice, bigotry and racism in a broader perspective.

Today we look at three children's books that address this in different ways. There are countless others at your library and bookstore. Read them together to educate children and yourself.

Remind children to always put themselves in the other person's shoes. Then back it up by being the example

; an example worth imitating. We don't have to just imagine a world that operates with the "golden rule" at its core. It can happen, one person at a time. Let it begin with you and the children in your charge.

The following book is available at many public libraries."Joseph: 1861 — A Rumble of War"by Bonnie Pryor; illustrated by Bert Dodson; Morrow Junior Books; 170 pages; read aloud: ages 8 and older; read yourself: age 8 to 9 and older.With the nation on the verge of Civil War, Joseph Byers and his hometown of Branson Mills, Kentucky, seem caught in the middle. Most people in his town favor the South. But Joseph's stepfather is against slavery, and that causes problems for the whole family, especially with Joseph's classmates in school.Joseph's father had owned slaves when he was alive, and Joseph was raised believing slavery was right. Now Joseph begins to question his own views, wondering if his stepfather is right and if people have perhaps gotten so used to slavery they've forgotten how bad it really is.As the events unfold that force the nation to its knees and Civil War, Joseph finds that he, too, must decide what he truly believes, for several lives depend on him.This fast-paced historical novel will entertain, educate, and hopefully cause self-reflection.

<b>Library:</b> North Trails Public Library, 1553 West Sunbury Road, West Sunbury<b>Library Director:</b> Kathy D. Kline<b>Choices this week:</b> "Is Your Mama a Llama?" by Deborah Guarino;"The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo; "Bud, Not Buddy" by Christopher Paul Curtis

The following books are available at favorite bookstores."Delivering Justice: W.W. Law and the Fight for Civil Rights"by Jim Haskins; illustrated by Benny Andrews; Candlewick, 2005; 32 pages; $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 5 to 6 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older.Westley Wallace Law was born in segregated Savannah, Georgia. His grandmother told him that no matter how badly he might be treated for being black, he had no excuse not to "be somebody." She told him that on the day he was born, she prayed that he would grow up to be a leader of their people.W.W. Law did exactly that, in his own strong, but quiet, way.As a young man, W.W. Law helped establish voter schools to help blacks register to vote. He was active in the NAACP and trained protesters in nonviolent civil disobedience. Ultimately, while employed as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, W.W. Law led the Great Savannah Boycott that led Savannah to become the first city in the South to end racial discrimination in 1961.Beautifully written and illustrated, this extraordinary story of W.W. Law is one of courage and determination, and makes clear that one person can make a difference."Day of Tears"by Julius Lester; Hyperion, 2005; 176 pages; $15.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 9 to 10 and older; read yourself: age 9 to 10 and older.Through shifting first-person accounts, author Julius Lester recreates the largest slave auction in history and weaves what he imagines were some of the emotions that must have been felt by those who "did not have the opportunity to tell their stories for themselves."One of the most extraordinary and powerful pieces of historical fiction I've ever read, this selection should be required reading in the classroom, the home, and beyond.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.

"Delivering Justice" by Jim Haskins tells the tale of W.W. Law and how he fought segregation in the South. Law's work eventually led to Savannah, Georgia, becoming the first southern city to end racial discrimination.