Common Ground: A Turbulent Decade in the Lives of Three American Families (1985) is a captivating account of the Boston busing crisis by J. Anthony Lukas. By focusing on three representative families with distinct perspectives on the issue, Lukas illuminates the complex politics involved and helps readers empathize with individuals they might otherwise disagree with.

The Bluest Eye (1970), the debut novel by Toni Morrison, narrates the life of a young black girl in Depression-era Ohio who believes that having blue eyes would bring her happiness. Morrison delves into themes of beauty and self-worth within a society dominated by white ideals.

Song of Solomon (1977), another novel by Toni Morrison, chronicles a young man's quest for cultural identity amidst a backdrop of a tragic, magical family history and the evolving racial landscape of mid-20th century America. This novel received the National Book Critics Circle Award and was selected for Oprah Winfrey’s book club.

The Content of Our Character: A New Vision of Race in America (1990) is a collection of provocative and reflective essays on race relations by academic Shelby Steele, following the era of affirmative action. Steele blends personal anecdotes with social psychology to explore this contentious subject.

Meridian (1976), a novel by Alice Walker, portrays the ideologies and experiences of the Civil Rights Movement through the life of Meridian, a Southern black activist. Through this courageous woman, the drama and conflict of this pivotal chapter in American history come to life.

Black-Eyed Susans and Midnight Birds (1990), edited by Mary Helen Washington, is an anthology featuring black women’s writing since 1960. It compiles twenty stories from some of the most significant and esteemed black women authors of our time.