Tag Archives: black history

The Undefeated

Posted on September 19, 2019 by

This picture book, The Undefeated, by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson, is profoundly beautiful. My library has it categorized under poetry, and it is that, too. Every word hits home, powerfully, meaningfully, the cadence spot on with the page turn. … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Love that art, Love that prose, Picture books, Poetry, Voice, Word choice | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What Do You Do With a Voice Like That?

Posted on February 11, 2019 by

What Do You Do With a Voice Like That?: The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan by Chris Barton, illustrated by Ekua Holmes, tells the true story of Barbara Jordan’s life, beginning with her childhood. In 1966, Barbara Jordan became the first … Continue reading →

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All Different Now

Posted on May 28, 2014 by

All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom  is a picture book about the day slaves were set free. It shows the slow progression that word-of-mouth took to tell slaves everywhere about freedom, and then the celebration that ensued. Angela Johnson, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books with social studies links, historical, Love that art, Love that prose, Picture books | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Walk Together Children

Posted on August 29, 2013 by

Selected and illustrated by world-renowned artist Ashley Bryan, Walk Together Children:  Black American Spirituals, is complete with music for each song. The linoleum print artwork, stunning in black and white if you can get your hands on a 1974 edition, has … Continue reading →

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I Have A Dream

Posted on January 21, 2013 by

Kadir Nelson illustrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s dream using the words of that well-known speech. Nelson creates a balance between history and a vision for the future:  We see both Dr. King on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Books with social studies links, Love that art, Nonfiction, Picture books | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wilma Unlimited

Posted on August 13, 2012 by

Overcoming multiple obstacles, including crippling polio, Wilma Rudolph persisted and exercised and ran her way to being the first American woman to win three gold medals at one Olympics. In the aftermath of the Summer Olympic Games in London, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Nonfiction, Picture books | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad

Posted on February 23, 2012 by

All of the angst of a child born into slavery and yearning for freedom is poured into Kadir Nelson‘s artwork of Henry, a real person who mailed himself to freedom in a wooden crate. Ellen Levine‘s story weaves fact and … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Love that art, Picture books | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Cruisers

Posted on February 15, 2012 by

While set in the present day, Walter Dean Myers‘ The Cruisers takes us back to the mindset of the Civil War era through eighth grade students. Zander and his friends, the Cruisers, have to prove their potential at Da Vinci Academy, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Character-driven, Children's novels, Series, social issues, strong characters, Voice | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal

Posted on December 6, 2011 by

A true hero of the Wild West, Bass Reeves captured many outlaws from 1875 to 1907.  Filled with integrity, Bass Reeves’s bravery and ingenuity made for great true stories written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Books with social studies links, Love that art, Nonfiction, Picture books | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

These Hands

Posted on October 19, 2011 by

Grandpa’s hands can tie shoes, play the piano and throw a curve ball, but they were not allowed to touch the bread dough at the Wonder Bread factory in the 1950s and early ’60s.  As Grandpa lyrically relates to Joseph … Continue reading →

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