For Throwback Thursday, I am featuring three books that were published 50 years ago.
Book 1: The Adventures of Aku by Ashley Bryan
Book 2: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Book 3: Roots by Alex Haley
Months ago, I featured titles for “Mindfulness Monday” Today, I am featuring some fiction titles that might help children and young adults mentally, socially, and emotionally.
Book 1: I am Enough by Grace Byers
Book 2: A Place Inside of Me by Zetta Elliott
Book 3: Stuntboy by Jason Reynolds
Book 4: We Are All Good at Smiling by Amber McBride
Book 5: The Minus-One Club by Kekla Magoon
Book 6: Break This House by Candice Iloh
Today I will feature tween books from the BCALA 2023 Best of the Best (BOTB) list. These authors capture the voices, behaviors, attitudes, and feelings very well and with authenticity. The titles are:
Book 1: Montgomery and the Case of the Golden Key by Tracy Occomy Crowder
Book 2: Not an Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles
Book 3: On Air with Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
Happy birthday Alice Randall! Born May 4, Alice Randall is a novelist, songwriter, educator, and food activist. Her most notable books, including her memoir My Black Country are:




Happy birthday Kimberla Lawson Roby! Born May 3, Kimberla Lawson Roby is the award winning New York Times bestselling author of the Rev. Curtis Black series–15 books total. She is also working with women to help them become the women God created them to be using her book and workbook.





Belated heavenly birthday wishes Coretta Scott King! Born April 27, 1927, Coretta Scott King was the founder of The King Center, a human/civil rights activist, wife and mother, she also was an author. Here are a few of her notable books.



Heavenly happy birthday Sterling A. Brown! Born May 1, 1901, Sterling A. Brown was a poet and folklorist. His notable works are The Negro in American Fiction and Negro Poetry and Drama.





Sterling A. Brown’s most famous poem: “Strong Men”
Belated heavenly birthday Calvin C. Hernton! Born April 28, 1932, Calvin C. Hernton was a poet, sociologist and professor. His notable works were:





Happy birthday Yusef Komunyakaa! Born April 29, Yusef Komunyakaa is award winning poet. Komunyakaa’s Neon Vernacular: New and Selected Poems (1994) won the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Here are just a few of his notable works:




Belated heavenly birthday Jessie Redmon Fauset! Born April 27, Jessie Redmon was a poet, an editor, author, and educator. She was the literary editor for The Crisis. She was also a key figure during the Harlem Renaissance. Here are a few of her notable works:



