February celebrates Black History and I've collected some outstanding books that will open minds and discussions for a long time! The first two books are historical fiction that are geared for ages nine through adult. The rest are picture books that are exhilarating and wonderful for all ages to enjoy.
A Thousand Never Evers, by Shana Burg, is a perfectly told story through the eyes of 7 th grader Addie Ann as she accurately describes life in Mississippi during the summer of 1963. “The fresh-painted shingles and the white picket fences gleam in the late afternoon sun. Even Flapjack's tan fur lights up a fiery orange.” This rural setting showcases the hateful bigotry by the white residents on the nicer and more updated part of town, yet it also demonstrates the sweet innocence of the young and Addie depicts this viewpoint beautifully!
Chains, by Laurie Halse Anderson, is a story about a strong heroine. Isabel, and her younger sister, have been promised freedom after the death of her owner. But this fact is ignored as both become the property of a cruel owner who moves them to New York City . Isabel soon becomes embroiled in the cross fire of the pre-revolution as the King of England and George Washington are edging closer and closer to war. Isabel soon finds herself spying on her owners as they are sympathizers for the crown. The chapters are short and gripping and each begins with an interesting historical note.
The Negro Speaks of Rivers, by Langston Hughes, is a poem that meanders like the ebb and flow of a river but speaks with the simplicity and power of the soul. “I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.” The watercolors, by E. B. Lewis, are glorious and tinted with such full page majesty that you can almost hear the rushing of water. Brilliant!
My People, also by Langston Hughes, and with photographs by Charles R. Smith Jr., pairs this infinite poem with the variety of beauty and color tones that celebrates black Americans of today. “The night is beautiful, so the faces of my people.” Mr. Smith captured the essence of expression in both young and old and this array demonstrates the worth of all.
Words to My Life's Song, by acclaimed illustrator, Ashley Bryan, is a book full of antidotes, life's lessons and inspiration of how to live your life. The book is also rich with Mr. Bryan's vivid and rich displays of art that has made him so popular and in great demand. Even though he experienced much prejudice throughout his life, his words ring clear throughout this book: never give up!
Stitchin' and Pullin': A Gee's Bend Quilt, by Patricia C. McKissack, and illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera, is a series of poems that relate the on-going making of quilts that began over a hundred years in Gee's Bend, Alabama.
Coretta Scott, by Ntozake Shange, and illustrated by Kadir Nelson, is a powerful reminder of a difficult past of segregation and the progress of present and future possibilities. The poetry is written with simplicity, yet conveys Ms. Scott's strength behind her powerful husband. But the full page paintings of Mr. Nelson suggest the empowerment of her inner strength and conviction of fairness and equality.
And to go along with this book, here's a “Ready-to-Read: Level 1” reader perfect to enlighten youngsters about Martin Luther King's message. Martin's Dream, by Jane Kurtz, and illustrated by Amy June Bates, will help youngsters begin to understand equality and acceptance.
As Good as Anybody: Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel's Amazing March Toward Freedom, by Richard Michelson, and illustrated by Raul Colon, is a story about how two men who experienced hatred and discrimination came together to walk towards social justice as they marched for freedom and acceptance.
And in this same vein, Lincoln and Douglas: An American Friendship, by Nikki Giovanni, and illustrated by Bryan Collier, demonstrates how these two great men respected each other and worked together for the greater good of the country.
Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told, by Walter Dean Myers, and illustrated by Bonnie Christensen, showcases a woman with strong convictions who wouldn't allow segregated laws to separate her from her fellow man. She wrote articles about the horrors of her people and had the courage to publish them.
The last two books are just stories about the love within families. What I like about these books is that even though the families are black, there's no reference to that – which is as it should be. So Much, by Trish Cooke, and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, is a cumulative tale about members of a family that come into a house where they hug a toddler too much! It makes you want to hug the book, it's so adorable. And Kitchen Dance, by Maurie J. Manning, has young children coming downstairs to a noisy kitchen where they spy their parents dancing and enjoying one another. This book is great fun and demonstrates a great love.
