These books tell the story of the legendary Bass Reeves, the first Black Deputy Marshal in the Wild West
Book 1: Black Gun, Silver Star
Book 2: Bass Reeves
Book 3: Bass Reeves Biography
Book 4: Bad News for Outlaws by Vaunda Michael Nelson
365 Black Books Best of the Best (BOTB) Medley Monday
Since 2020, BCALA has published a list of Best of the Best (BOTB) Books for PreK-Grade 12. These books are selected based on criteria, that represents the black experience with authenticity. The 2025 BOTB will be published early next year. In the meantime, I will post a medley of books from the 2024 BOTB list.
Book 1: Bridges Instead of Walls The Story of Mavis Staples by Mavis Staples and Carole Boston Weatherford ; illustrated by Steffi Walthall
Book 2: Moko Magic Carnival Chaos by Tracey Baptiste
Book 3: Love Requires Chocolate by Rayvnn K. Stringfield
365 Black Books: Sammy Davis, Jr. Saturday
Sammy Davis Jr. was born December 8. Three notable books about him: two autobiographies and one biography.
Book 1: Yes I Can!
Book 2: Why Me?
Book 3: In Black and White by Wil Haygood
365 Black Books Hattie McDaniel Tuesday
Our bookclub discussed a historical fiction novel about Hattie McDaniel, the first African actress to receive an Oscar for a supporting role in a film (Gone With the Wind). ReShonda Tate, the author, researched Hattie McDaniel and used some creative liberties in creating a story about a pioneer, a fighter, and classy woman.
Book 1: The Queen of Sugar Hill by ReShonda Tate
Book 2: Hattie McDaniel Black Ambition, White Hollywood by Jill Watts
365 Black Books Little Richard Saturday
December 5 was Little Richard’s birthday. Two books were written about the musician’s life, music, and his influence.
Book 1: The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Authorized Biography by Charles White.
Book 2: The Big Life of Little Richard by Mark Ribowsky
365 Black Books Pryor Tuesday
After I posted yesterday books, I learned that December 1 was Richard Pryor’s birthday. I loved, loved, loved Richard Pryor! He was talented, sometimes controversial, but most of all funny! Well, IMHO. A few books have been written by and about him. I will focus on two.
Book 1: Pryor Convictions and Other Life Sentences by Richard Pryor his official autobiography.
Book 2: Becoming Richard Pryor by Scott Saul
365 Black Books Film Saturday
These books present information about Oscar Micheaux, the first black filmmaker.
Book 1: Oscar Micheaux: The Great and Only by Patrick McGilligan
Book 2: Writing Himself into History by Pearl Bowser and Louise Spence
Book 3: Oscar Micheaux and His Circle
Book 4: Straight Lick The Cinema of Oscar Micheaux by J. Ronald Green
Book 5: With a Crooked Stick by J. Ronald Green
365 Black Books Dance Thursday
These books feature the amazing dance pioneer Alvin Ailey
Book 1: Revelations: The Autobiography of Alvin Ailey by Alvin Ailey
Book 2: Alvin Ailey A Life in Dance by Jennifer Dunning
Book 3: Alvin Ailey by Andrea Davis Pinkney; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Book 4: Ailey Spirit
Book 5: Edges of Ailey
365 Black Books Joe Louis Sunday
A new book has recently been published about the legendary boxer.
Book 1: The Fight of His Life by Johnny Smith and Randy Roberts
Book 2: A Nation’s Hope the story of legendary boxer Joe Louis by Matt de la Pena; illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Book 3: Joe Louis, My Life by Joe Louis and others
365 Black Books Wednesday Women
On November 4, a few cities, including Detroit, elected their first female mayor. These books feature the first African American woman elected to Congress–Shirley Chisholm, a trailblazer.
Book 1: She Was the First! by Katheryn Russell-Brown; illustrated by Eric Velasquez
Book 2: Shirley Chisholm Dared by Alicia D. Williams; illustrated by April Harrison
Book 3: Loud and Proud by Lesa Cline-Ransome; illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
Book 4: Unbought and Unbossed by Shirley Chisholm
Book 5: The Good Fight by Shirley Chisholm
The CamaraIfe Maktaba 