28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World

An Opinion and Book Highlight

We live in a country and world that still struggles with why we celebrate Black History during an allotted time of year.  Listening to colleagues and peers over the years that do not share my ethnic background,  I find that they feel separating our history to be celebrated is unnecessary and actually arrogant in thinking that "we" should have our own month to publicly acknowledge our accomplishments when no other groups do this (this is actually not true i.e., Women's History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month).  My answer to their position is this: celebrating black history during one month is something that I wish we did not have to do, but because our contributions and accomplishments fail to adequately be included in mainstream media and academic textbooks We Must have Black History Month.  I know that it is a little early to discuss something that will take place in February, but planning ahead will not do any harm.

28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World

Charles R. Smith (Author), Shane W. Evans (illustrator)

28 Days is a beautifully illustrated timeline of significant events in black history.  The author eloquently uses quotes, poetic prose, and even eulogies to convey the moments highlighted in the book.  Inquisitive readers will appreciate the short biographies and "more information" snippets that that are used to extend the learning experience.  What I like most about this book is the diversity within black history that the author and illustrator capture to share with readers.  Lesser known moments are featured in this work as well.  Educators and parents can read one event each day of February with young learners or read it in one sitting if time permits.  This was an enjoyable read for me and I hope it is for you too.  Enjoy and Happy Reading!!!

Other New Black History Picture Books:

Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker, (July, 2014)

My Name is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth, Ann Turner (January, 2015)

Harlem Renaissance Party, Faith Ringgold (January, 2015)

Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America, Carole Boston Weatherford (February, 2015)

The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch, Chris Barton (April, 2015)

Jake Makes a World: Jacob Lawrence, an Artist in Harlem, Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts (June, 2015)

Lillian's Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Jonah Winter (July, 2015)

Granddaddy's Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box,  Michael S. Bandy (July, 2015)

Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton, Don Tate (September, 2015)

Sail Away, poems by Langston Hughes, art by Ashley Bryan (September, 2015)

For more titles visit the Nonfiction tab on this site.

The Search is Over, but it is not the End

I was an avid reader as a young person.  I could often be found sitting in my room with my nose in a book drowning out the external sounds as I traveled to places both real and imaginary.  As I think back to my favorite books by Charles Dickens classics and my all time favorite mystery series Nancy Drew, I realize that I have no memory of reading about fictional characters that looked like me.   It is important that all children see people that look like them in leadership roles, being productive citizens, and especially in books when so much of their education is surrounded around them.   Now children’s literature has surely changed much since I was younger and includes more characters that represent ethnicities that can be found around the world.  African-American characters are so much more present in children’s books today, but it is often hard to find them in public and school libraries. 

At the start of the summer I was determined to find a book series for young readers that would present a character that represented what I was as a child.  A girl with brown skin, kinky hair, a spunky attitude, smart, respectful, and possessing self-pride is who I was and still am today.   I found several book series’ that I just have to share with you.  I hope that you or the young reader in your life will find themselves in the books as well.

After reading this you may say, “Hey, what about books that have black boys as main characters?”  Don’t Worry I haven’t forgotten about how important this is for them too.  Stay tuned for a blog post about series for boys.

I am not posting my own reviews of the series' here, but I am linking them to Goodreads.com for descriptions and reader ratings.

Happy Reading!

Dyamonde Daniel (Nikki Grimes)

Ruby and the Booker Boys (Derrick Barnes)

Keena Ford (Melissa Thomson)

Amy Hodgepodge (Kim Wayans)

Nikki and Deja (Karen English)

Brown Girl Dreaming (a follow up from 5/26/15)

Woodson's autobiography about her childhood hit home for me.  I thought of the stories that my mom shared with me about her life as a young person growing up in the 60's and 70's.  She spent so much time with her grandparents and lived in different regions of the country and the world due to her father being in the Air Force.  All of these experiences added to her adulthood and made for great entertainment as me and my siblings would sit in anticipation for a silly or even serious story about her childhood during family time.  Brown Girl Dreaming reminds me of those moments that I shared with my mom.  I hope to one day do the same with my own children or a class full of young people expressing tales of hope and loss.  It is amazing how this book inspired me to dream for myself and it may do the same for you.  Happy Reading!!

Me & Mom Before Story Time

Circa 1980

I am too a Brown Girl Dreaming

I am about half way done with Jacqueline Woodson’s award winning book Brown Girl Dreaming.  I was immediately transported into the Woodson family as the author eloquently writes about her life growing up as a child of the north with southern roots.  I related greatly to the stories of taking fried chicken and peaches on the road that grandmother had prepared for the long ride back to the north after spending free-spirited summers in the south.  Although the era was before my time, I am not far removed from the memories of my grandparents playing an integral part in my growing up.  My favorite moments in the book are the experiences that Woodson has when she is around her extended family sitting at their feet soaking in all that she could helping to define who she is as both a Woodson and Irby (paternal and maternal last names).  Stories told of the past and life advice for the future seem to be the very thing that creates a brown girl dreaming.  Woodson's story is so similar to my own and I too see myself as a brown girl with a dream.  I can’t wait to finish the title and share more with you. Until then read on!

Brown Girl Dreaming. (2014) Woodson, J.

The Crossover is a Game-Changer!

Several weeks ago I finally had an opportunity to buy a copy of Kwame Alexander's The Crossover.  I was immediately drawn in by the use of poetic flow that connected each page and chapter like a lyrical tune with fun rhymes and basketball inspired terms.  The twin athletes in the story are like most teenagers.  They deal with school drama, girl drama, and drama at home as they seek to be so much like their former pro-ball father, yet desire to be identified as individuals.  This novel is certainly one that will not be easy to put down for even a quick break.  When I finished the last page I was overwhelmed with emotion and wanted to start from the beginning so that I could once again go on the journey with the characters experiencing their ups and downs, their joys and pains.

If you either appreciate basketball, coming-of-age stories, tales about life, love, and loss, or all of the above you will absolutely want to read The Crossover.  Alexander did an extraordinary job creating a novel that young readers and adults alike can enjoy.  This book is perfect for the reluctant male reader.  If you know one, buy this book for them and read aloud the first page...trust me they will be hooked!

Be sure to check out the Awards & Honors page on this site to find out more information about the Newbery Award won by Kwame Alexander for this esteemed title.