They Called Themselves the KKK

They Called Themselves the KKK examines the origins and early history of the Ku Klux Klan in post-Civil War America. Through archival documents, photos, and firsthand accounts, Susan Campbell Bartoletti traces the formation and rise of this terrorist organization during Reconstruction. The book focuses on the experiences of both Klan members and their victims during this turbulent period. Bartoletti incorporates primary sources including letters, testimonies, and photographs to document the group's activities and impact on communities. This work of historical nonfiction also explores the social and political conditions that enabled the Klan's emergence and spread. The narrative covers key events and figures from the group's founding through its evolution in the years following the Civil War. The book serves as a clear-eyed examination of hatred and racial violence in American history, raising questions about power, justice, and the long shadow of institutionalized racism. Its thorough documentation and straightforward presentation make it a significant resource for understanding this dark chapter of the past.

Readers note the book presents KKK history through primary sources, photographs, and first-hand accounts in a straightforward, age-appropriate way for young adults. Readers appreciated: - Clear organization and readability - Extensive research and bibliography - Historical photographs and documents - Focus on facts rather than sensationalism - Accessibility for middle/high school students Common criticisms: - Some found the tone too detached - A few wanted more analysis of modern hate groups - Several noted it may be too intense for younger readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (50+ ratings) "Presents difficult history in a way students can understand without sugar-coating," noted one teacher reviewer. Another reader commented, "The primary sources make it real and immediate rather than distant history." The book received the Robert F. Sibert Honor Award and was an ALA Notable Children's Book.

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🔍 The author spent more than four years conducting research, including investigating primary sources like diaries, slave narratives, and oral histories preserved by the Works Progress Administration. ⚜️ The book's cover features an authentic Ku Klux Klan membership card from the 1920s, making it a powerful historical artifact that immediately confronts readers with the reality of the organization. 📚 Despite being marketed as a young adult book, it won the 2011 Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction, demonstrating its ability to handle complex historical topics with both accuracy and accessibility. 🗣️ Many of the book's accounts come directly from formerly enslaved people who were interviewed in the 1930s, preserving firsthand experiences of Klan terrorism that might otherwise have been lost to history. 🏆 Susan Campbell Bartoletti began her career as an eighth-grade English teacher for 18 years before becoming a full-time writer, bringing her educational expertise to her historical works for young readers.