African American Books
Title: What Color is My World?
Author: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Illustrator: Ben Boos and A.G. Ford
Copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4564-9
Summary: This is the story of Ella and Herbie. They aren’t exactly too thrilled with their new house because they wanted something “newer.” However, the handyman that comes to help fix the house tells the children that there is lots of history in the craftsmanship of this house. He walks through the house with the children as he fixes different parts and explains who helped invent the different structures of the house. All of the inventors are African American. They have their own page and flap describing their invention.
Would you use this book?: Yes
Absolutely, yes I would use this book! I think it is great that it focuses on “forgotten” inventors because I believe that it is important for my students to know the truth and this book reveals that.
Author: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Illustrator: Ben Boos and A.G. Ford
Copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4564-9
Summary: This is the story of Ella and Herbie. They aren’t exactly too thrilled with their new house because they wanted something “newer.” However, the handyman that comes to help fix the house tells the children that there is lots of history in the craftsmanship of this house. He walks through the house with the children as he fixes different parts and explains who helped invent the different structures of the house. All of the inventors are African American. They have their own page and flap describing their invention.
Would you use this book?: Yes
Absolutely, yes I would use this book! I think it is great that it focuses on “forgotten” inventors because I believe that it is important for my students to know the truth and this book reveals that.
Title: Our Children Can Soar
Author: Michelle Cook
Illustrators: E.B Lewis, Frank Morrison, Eric Velasquez,
Pat Cummings, AG Ford
Copyright: 2009
ISBN: 978-1-59990-783-3
Summary: This book walks through the many agents of change for African Americans over the years. The story is quite short; however, in the back there is a list of the names of the people mentioned in the book and their contributions to society. The book is set up sort of like a chain of events. One person started it all and it ends with Obama as the President so children realize they can soar and be whoever they want to be or do whatever they want to do.
Would you use this book?: Maybe
I would have the book in my classroom, but I am not sure I would read it aloud unless it was relating to Barack Obama in some way because he is the end of the book and basically the reasoning of the book. It is a very short book, but its message is strong.
Author: Michelle Cook
Illustrators: E.B Lewis, Frank Morrison, Eric Velasquez,
Pat Cummings, AG Ford
Copyright: 2009
ISBN: 978-1-59990-783-3
Summary: This book walks through the many agents of change for African Americans over the years. The story is quite short; however, in the back there is a list of the names of the people mentioned in the book and their contributions to society. The book is set up sort of like a chain of events. One person started it all and it ends with Obama as the President so children realize they can soar and be whoever they want to be or do whatever they want to do.
Would you use this book?: Maybe
I would have the book in my classroom, but I am not sure I would read it aloud unless it was relating to Barack Obama in some way because he is the end of the book and basically the reasoning of the book. It is a very short book, but its message is strong.
Title: D is for Drinking Gourd
Author: Nancy I. Sanders
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-1-58536-474-9
Summary: This is a book that uses the alphabet and walks you through the history of African Americans. The letters in the alphabet all stand for something that happened in history. On the main pages there is about four lines of text, but then on the side it goes much more in depth about that topic. For example, “E is for Emancipation” and “L is for Little Rock Nine.” This books walks through not only the tough times for African Americans, but the times where great progress was made such as allowing them to go to college and allowing them the right to vote.
Would you use this book?: Yes
I really liked this book. It walks through the entire history of African Americans while also walking through milestones. The book includes the positives as well as some negatives, but I like that it doesn’t just focus on the negatives. Also, it goes through the alphabet so could be used for younger grades.
Author: Nancy I. Sanders
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-1-58536-474-9
Summary: This is a book that uses the alphabet and walks you through the history of African Americans. The letters in the alphabet all stand for something that happened in history. On the main pages there is about four lines of text, but then on the side it goes much more in depth about that topic. For example, “E is for Emancipation” and “L is for Little Rock Nine.” This books walks through not only the tough times for African Americans, but the times where great progress was made such as allowing them to go to college and allowing them the right to vote.
Would you use this book?: Yes
I really liked this book. It walks through the entire history of African Americans while also walking through milestones. The book includes the positives as well as some negatives, but I like that it doesn’t just focus on the negatives. Also, it goes through the alphabet so could be used for younger grades.
Title: Henry’s Freedom Box
Author: Ellen Levine
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-439-77733-9
Summary: This is the story about Henry “Box” Brown. Henry was a slave from little on. He and his mother were together, but then Henry was given to his master’s son. Henry worked for the son at his factory, but was not treated kindly. Henry dreamed of what it would be like to be free. After everything he loved was taken from him, he decided it was time to be set free. Henry put himself in a box and was shipped to Philadelphia where he would now remain a free man.
Would you use this book?: Yes
Yes I would use this book because it describes in a very gentle way what slavery was like. Families rarely got to stay together, had to have permission to get married, and were often sold and sold again. Also, it was very difficult to be freed. I also like that it is a true story.
Author: Ellen Levine
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-439-77733-9
Summary: This is the story about Henry “Box” Brown. Henry was a slave from little on. He and his mother were together, but then Henry was given to his master’s son. Henry worked for the son at his factory, but was not treated kindly. Henry dreamed of what it would be like to be free. After everything he loved was taken from him, he decided it was time to be set free. Henry put himself in a box and was shipped to Philadelphia where he would now remain a free man.
Would you use this book?: Yes
Yes I would use this book because it describes in a very gentle way what slavery was like. Families rarely got to stay together, had to have permission to get married, and were often sold and sold again. Also, it was very difficult to be freed. I also like that it is a true story.
Title: Beatrice’s Goat
Author: Page McBrier
Illustrator: Lori Lohstoeter
Copyright: 2001
ISBN: 978-0-689-86990-7
Summary: This is the story about a girl named Beatrice and her family. They live in a small village called Kisinga in the western part of Uganda. Beatrice wants so badly to go to school as a little girl, but she is unable to afford books and a uniform. She receives wonderful news that her family is to receive a goat. She names the goat Mugisa meaning luck in the hopes that the goat will bring her and her family luck. The goat ends up bringing much, much more to Beatrice and her family.
Would you use this book?: Yes
I think it is a great message to kids to work hard no matter what. When you work hard you will get what you want in life, no matter who you are. It does a great job showing that those who do not have much appreciate a lot, even something as small as a goat.
Author: Page McBrier
Illustrator: Lori Lohstoeter
Copyright: 2001
ISBN: 978-0-689-86990-7
Summary: This is the story about a girl named Beatrice and her family. They live in a small village called Kisinga in the western part of Uganda. Beatrice wants so badly to go to school as a little girl, but she is unable to afford books and a uniform. She receives wonderful news that her family is to receive a goat. She names the goat Mugisa meaning luck in the hopes that the goat will bring her and her family luck. The goat ends up bringing much, much more to Beatrice and her family.
Would you use this book?: Yes
I think it is a great message to kids to work hard no matter what. When you work hard you will get what you want in life, no matter who you are. It does a great job showing that those who do not have much appreciate a lot, even something as small as a goat.
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