Honoring Black History Month
with amazing books to enjoy and learn from.
—Coretta Scott King
Elementary Reads
Seeds of Freedom: The Peaceful Integration of Huntsville, Alabama
3-5
Non-fiction
By: Hester Bass
Illus. by: E. B. Lewis
Candlewick Press, 2015
Lexile: AD830L
Tags: Race relations; Civil Rights; Non-violence
Through a combination of sit-ins, protests, and economic pressure, the Black citizens of Huntsville, Alabama peacefully ended segregation. “Blue Jean Sunday” struck an especially effective blow—perhaps a million dollars in lost business--as the African-American community rejected purchases of Easter finery in favor of denim. White city officials and black civil rights leaders met secretly in 1962, then quietly convinced business owners to desegregate, allowing the city—an important center of rocket research--to remain peaceful and prosperous. Integration of the schools followed a few years later.
Bass’s challenging prose makes an interactive read aloud a good starting point for most students, while Lewis’s expressive watercolors movingly depict oppression and hope.
Reviewed by:
Nick Bleckley
Cheltenham Elem.
The African-American Heart Surgery Pioneer: The Genius of Vivien Thomas
3-5
Biography
By: Edwin Brit Wyckoff
Enslow Publishers, 2014
Lexile: 750L
Tags: Race relations; Civil Rights; Surgeons; Inventors
Reaching manhood in the Deep South during the Great Depression, African-American inventor Vivien Thomas was unable to attend medical school. Instead he became a researcher in the laboratory of Doctor Alfred Blalock, a highly-regarded, but racist white surgeon. Through over 200 hundred surgeries on dogs, Thomas invented techniques and tools that led to successful "blue baby" surgeries by Doctor Blalock in the 1940's. Always in the operating room advising the famed doctor, only after Blalock’s death did Thomas receive his due, becoming head of the laboratory and an important teacher of surgeons at John Hopkins University.
Part of the Enslow Genius Inventor’s series, this compelling story is accompanied by loads of extras, including a section on problem-solving and a bibliography of books and websites on Thomas and on invention.
Reviewed by:
Nick Bleckley
Cheletenham Elem.
Muhammad Ali
3-5
Biography
By: Josh Gregory
Children's Press, 2017
Lexile: 880
Tags: Boxers; Political activists
The three-time World Heavyweight Champion is featured in this book that spans Ali's beginnings as a Kentucky boy named Cassius Clay to his death in 2016 from Parkinson's disease. After his bicycle was stolen at age twelve, a local police officer taught him to box to channel his anger so that he could win a Golden Gloves title at fourteen and compete in the Olympics at eighteen. Other milestones in his personal life are presented, including his name-changing conversion to Islam and his refusal to be drafted during the Vietnam War.
A man who always stood up for his beliefs and inspired many other young athletes, Ali's story includes his devotion to civil rights and philanthropic endeavors. A variety of photographs document his years in this introduction to a beloved athlete who serves as a role model.
Reviewed by:
Peggy Obert
Alumni
Take a Picture of Me, James Vanderzee!
Biography
By: Andrea J. Loney
Illus. by: Keith Mallett
Lee & Low Books, Inc., 2017
Lexile: 970L
Tags: Photographers; Harlem Renaissance; Biography
This title details the long life of James Vanderzee, an African- American photographer in the early 20th century. Mr. Vanderzee is renown for capturing the Harlem Renaissance. His groundbreaking photo retouching techniques made him very popular. Relayed in a narrative non-fiction format, readers will find themselves engaged.
James Vanderzee is a pivotal person who should be studied. His work depicting black Americans as ordinary people and not down-trodden individuals was ground breaking in race relations. A good read for Black History Month or any month. Primary source photos as well as a more in-depth biography are presented at the end of the book.
Reviewed by:
Denise Cushing
Carson Elem.
I Wonder: Celebrating Daddies Doin’ Work
P-2
Easy Fiction
By: Doyin Richards
Feiwel and Friends, 2016
Tags: Fatherhood; Gender Roles
Author Doyin Richards is an up and coming voice for modern fatherhood. He has gained notoriety with his Facebook and Instagram posts about joys of fatherhood. Filled with photos gathered by his social media followers, this picture book shows a multicultural variety of dads in an emotional and caring role for their children. A beautiful addition to any classroom.
Reviewed by:
Denise Cushing
Carson Elem.
Hey Black Child
Easy poetry
By: Useni Eugene Perkins
Little, Brown and Company, 2017
Tags: Child empowerment; poetry
Old meets new in this beautiful remake of the 1976 poem. In simple, declarative text, the narrator asks various children if they know the power their futures hold. The words are strong and emphatic; no question marks are used in any of the questioning phrases, so there is no real doubt as to the answers. A typical stanza:
"Hey black child
Do you know you can be
What you want to be
If you try to be
What you CAN BE"
These affirmations are accompanied by brilliant art, with bold colors and a collage-like effect taking center stage. Details, from African imagery to Martin Luther King marches to musical notes, encourage lingering on each page.
This book celebrates determination and effort. Its lack of punctuation could be used in a language arts or poetry lesson to show how they impact sentences. The uplifting images - especially the omnipresent balloons - could also add context to art lessons.
Reviewed by:
Terri Faulkner
Library Services
Middle Grade and High School Reads
The Hate U Give
Realistic Fiction
by: Angie Thomas
Balzer & Bray, 2017
Lexile 590
Tags: Race relations; families; BLM movement
Starr Carter lives in two worlds: her black neighborhood, buoyed by family and community but threatened by gangs and drugs, and the private school filled with privileged but ignorant students she attends. This timely book chronicles events surrounding the police shooting of Starr's unarmed, close friend - a shooting Starr witnesses. Dry humor is layered around gritty language to give authentic voice to the many characters.
In weaving a complex story with flawed but open characters, Thomas sets a rich opportunity for honest conversations about race, family, stereotypes, police and class. This book pairs easily with Dear Martin and The Long Way Down to compare and contrast perspectives, voices and writing elements.
Reviewed by:
Terri Faulkner
Library Services
Dear Martin
Realistic Fiction
by: Nic Stone
Crown Books for Young Readers, 2017
Lexile 720
Tags: Race relations; families; school
Like The Hate U Give, Dear Martin brings to light the challenge of race relations mixed with typical teenage experiences. Justyce McAllister is a brilliant, Ivy-League bound high school boy who seeks wisdom and understanding by writing letters to Martin Luther King Jr. Daily, he is confronted by issues of race. In a most compelling moment, he experiences the searing loss of a friend and the public response that threatens everything he knows and believes. How does he find his voice again? And how can Martin help stabilize his perspective? These two books, so similar in plot, offer a comprehensive opportunity to examine our current climate and culture and ask where we would rather be and how we can get there.
Reviewed by:
Terri Faulkner
Library Services
Unbound
6-8
Historical fiction
By: Ann E. Burg
Scholastic, 2017
Lexile: 900
Tags: Slavery; Dismal Swamp
Most of Big Jim's family lives on a plantation toiling in the fields, but light-skinned Grace is called up to work in the Big House. Not known for keeping her opinions to herself, Grace is warned by her relatives to keep her attitude under control, but when she angers her mistress the owners plan to sell her mother and siblings as punishment. The whole family escapes in the night to a community hidden deep in the Great Dismal Swamp, where they finally have a chance at freedom.
Told in lyrical verse with Southern patois, this historical novel is a haunting and realistic portrayal of a life lived under slavery. Useful for social studies units, it could be a stirring read aloud. The back matter includes information on the maroons, escapees who made a life in the swamps.
Reviewed by:
Peggy Obert
Alumni
Akata Warrior
6-8
Fantasy
By: Nnedi Okorafor
Viking, 2017
Lexile: 690
Tags: Nigeria; Magic; Learning; Friendship
This book follows Akata Witch where Sunny Nwazue realizes she isn’t just like everyone else regardless of the fact that she is an albino. Sunny and her three friends are faced with a challenge that only they will be able to decipher and solve. Evil is on the rise in Nigeria and to challenge it will take “Leopard People” who are able to walk in two worlds and live.
This book is filled with the lore of Nigeria as well as mythical beings. The action is non-stop and adds an element of page turning danger to every chapter. It would probably lead to better understanding to read the Akata Witch first. Use this book as a different look at Black History Month.
Reviewed by:
Chris Coble
CEC Early College
Long Way Down
Fantasy
By: Jason Reynolds
Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, 2017
Tags: Verse; Families; Youth Violence
Gifted authors strive to write rich and emotional stories using the fewest - but most powerful - words possible. At just 12,500 words, Jason Reynolds' stark Long Way Down is a prize written in verse. Fifteen-year-old Will knows loss: his father, uncle, friends and now his older brother, Shawn, gunned down in front of him. He also knows the rules: don't cry, don't tattle, do get revenge. He leaves his upper-floor apartment, gun loaded, head and heart bent on retaliation. The elevator ride down proves life-altering.
Lyrical, haunting and compelling, this book is a masterclass on writing. It, along with Kwame Alexander's novels in verse, can be an incredible starting point for a writing exercise on imagery and metaphor.
Reviewed by:
Terri Faulkner
Library Services
The World Beneath
6-8
Historical Fiction
By: Janice Warman
Candlewick Press, 2014
Lexile: 650
Tags: Apartheid; South Africa; Social Injustice
As a young black boy living in South Africa during the 1970’s, Joshua’s normal is to keep his head down and stay out of the way while his mother keeps house for a wealthy white family. As time passes, Joshua begins to view his world with new eyes as the inequality and brutality of apartheid become more and more apparent.
While little historical background of apartheid or the struggle to overcome it is provided, this title is a perfect introduction and discussion starter to the the topic. Pair this title with non-fiction works regarding South African history.
Reviewed by:
Michelle Jensen
George Washington H.S.
In the Shadow of Liberty
9-12
Non-Fiction
By: Kenneth C. Davis
Henry Holt, 2016
Lexile:1110
Tags: Slavery, Presidents, Historical events
In the early days of our country's development, owning slaves was a common practice. Many of our most famous founding fathers were among those that owned enslaved people. There are five enslaved persons that had a part in our history whose names were not known until now. This is an interesting look at a part of our history that focuses on five enslaved persons that played a part in our American History.
The book includes the stories of these five people along with photographs, authentic documents, and timelines. This is a good resource for those who are interested in this part of our history. It would be a good resource for a high school American history course as well as adults.
Reviewed by:
Karen Burns
Place Bridge Academy
Elephant Whisperer
6-8
Non-Fiction
By: Lawrence Anthony
Henry Holt, 2017
Lexile: 840
Tags: Conservation;Elephants;South Africa
Laurence Anthony started a wild animal preserve in Thula Thula, South Africa. They accepted species that were endangered, injured, or had nowhere to go. He and his team constantly fought poachers and other hardships in that part of the world. He was approached to accept a herd of elephants. Laurence knew little about elephants, but if he did not take them, they would be shot. What else could they do? This is the story of how the elephants became part of his family and he a part of theirs.
This is a heartwarming story for anyone with a soft spot for animals, especially elephants. It is good for middle school readers on up. There is an insert of color photographs, the area, the people and the elephants. This edition has been adapted for young readers and would be a good addition to any collection.
Reviewed by:
Karen Burns
Place Bridge Academy
Nemesis
9-12
Fantasy
By: Anna Banks
Feiwel and Friends, 2016
Lexile: 890
Tags: Social class; Rulers
A forger is a person who creates spectorium and spectorium is a precious metal. Sepora is the last forger in the kingdom, Sepora’s father has learned how to weaponize it. As a last resort, Sepora decides to fake her death and flee from her father’s kingdom.
The many problems in the kingdom where she goes, can be related to problems of the “haves” and the “have nots” that we face sociatally today. Overall, this is an interesting fantasy with a large dose of truth and social justice.
Reviewed by:
Chris Coble
CEC Early College