KRLemmons African American Authors, African American children's literature, African American Historical Fiction, African American Middle Grades Literature, African American Poetry, African American Poets, African American Young Adult Literature

365 Black Books Kwame Alexander Friday

Happy birthday Kwame Alexander! Born August 21, Kwame Alexander is an award winning African American poet and author. He is a poet and author of several books for all ages. Read one of his books and I’m sure you will enjoy it! Here are just a few of his notable works:

KRLemmons African American adult fiction, African American Authors, African American Essays, African American Historical Fiction, African American Nonfiction, African American Poetry, African American Poets

365 Black Books Margaret Walker Tuesday

Heavenly birthday wishes Margaret Walker! Born July 7, 1915, Margaret Walker was an African American poet and author She was part of the African-American literary movement in Chicago, known as the Chicago Black Renaissance. She is known for her book, Jubilee and her poem, For My People. She died in 1998. Here are a few of her notable works:

You can read some of her poems here:

KRLemmons African American adult fiction, African American Authors, African American Historical Fiction

365 Black Books Sadeqa Johnson Sunday

Sadeqa Johnson came to Detroit Public Library to talk about her book, Keeper of the Lost Children. The story is centered around three characters who are somehow connected to an orphanage in Germany. History is interwoven as the readers learn about an orphanage that took care of mixed race children (white German women, African American men officers) in occupied Germany. In her talk, Ms. Johnson mentioned a documentary film titled Brown Babies which tells the stories of unwanted biracial and bicultural children.

KRLemmons African American Actress, African American Biography, African American Historical Fiction, African American Nonfiction

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