Firebird
Copeland, M. (2014) Firebird. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.
Misty Copeland, the second African American soloist for the American Ballet Theatre, gives words of wisdom to a young girl who does not believe she has what it takes to be thrive in the rigorous world of ballet. Copeland tells the story of how she found herself in the world of ballet and held on to her dream until it became a reality, inspiring other girls.
Africa Dream
Greenfield, E. (1977) Africa Dream. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.
A young child’s dream one night takes her on a journey to Africa. In the dream she meets her long-ago relatives and explores her African roots. She eats mangoes, dances to the beat of drums and buys perfumes and pearls in the city. All this and more in one delightful dream.
When I Am Old With You
Johnson, A. (1990) When I Am Old With You. New York, NY: Orchard Books.
A young boy tells of all the wonderful things he will do with his Granddaddy when he is old with him. He looks forward to fishing, and not catching fish, playing cards and not keeping score, walking on the beach and making memories. The innocent boy believes that young as he ages his Granddaddy will stay as he is and that both will be old together in this heartwarming story.
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans
Nelson, K. (2011) Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African American. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.
Written in the voice of “Everywoman”, Nelson Kadir takes us through the long and heart wrenching story of slavery in America, from the capture of men, women and children from their homes in Africa to the hot fields of the southern United States where they labored under the watchful eye of the masters. But this is a story of hope as much as it is a story of a painful and shameful past in our country.
Never Forgotten
This story in verse recounts the story of one African father and son and at the same time the stories of many fathers and sons, who were separated by the slave traders who captured men, women and children in order to supply slaves to the western world. Dinga the blacksmith is raising his son Musafa alone with the help and guidance of the Mother Elements of water, wind, earth and fire. Musafa is a blacksmith apprentice and he is taken by the slave traders to America. The Mother Elements search for him and finally find him. They bring back news to Dinga that his son is alive and thriving as blacksmith. Dinga rejoices because, though worlds apart, his son is alive and is never forgotten.
Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty
Neri, G. (2010) Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty. New York, NY: Lee & Low Books.
Roger lives in Chicago, and a he is trying to make up his mind about whether his classmate Yummy was or wasn’t a good person. You see, Yummy has just killed a girl with a gun. It all stems from living a life as a Shorty, a young inductee in a gang. Roger is worried because his older brother is a part of the same gang. As Roger tries to find answers to his questions he realizes that classifying Yummy into good or bad won’t be that easy.
My People
Smith Jr., Charles, R. (2009) My People. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Smith masterfully photographs several Black people, young and old, to combine them with the words of the poem My People by Langston Hughes. The poem is an affirmation to the beauty of Black people.
Let The Lion Eat Straw
Southerland, E. (1979) Let The Lion Eat Straw. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.
Adeba is leading a life of poverty in the South, but also one of great love with the woman who has raised her, Mamma Habblesham. She was left by her mother Angela, who went on to New York to search for greener pastures, but who has now come back into her life. Adeba’s life has up and downs, her biggest accomplishment being a scholarship to Jiulliard. But the excitement is short lived when she meets Daniel, her future husband.
Storm in the Night
Stolz, M. (1988) Storm in the NIght. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.
Thomas and his Grandfather are spending a rainy evening together. The lights are out and there is not much to do but wait. Grandfather tells Thomas about how he was afraid of storms as a child, but also tells him that by caring for his dog during the storm he learned to be braver.
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry
Taylor, M.D. (1976) Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry. New York, NY: Dial Press.
Mississippi during the Great Depression is a tense time. The Logan family is at the center of racial tensions between several families in the city due to the laws of segregation and it has caused troubles to the Logan children, who can’t truly understand why they are treated as inferior. Mama Logan loses her teaching position due to a betrayal by a Black young man. Ultimately a young black man finds himself in the most dangerous position for a Black person during the years of racial turmoil.
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