KRLemmons African American Biography, African American Literature, Book Reviews

Biography Book Review by Edi Campbell

title: Mahalia A Life in Gospel Music author: Roxane Orgill date: Candlewick, 2002 Roxane Orgill began her writing career as a music critic and she eventually transformed to an author of children’s and young adult biographies, often of those of African American musicians. Her knowledge of music history is definitely present in Mahalia A Life […]

via Biography: Mahalia A Life In Gospel Music — Crazy QuiltEdi

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American Literature

Thoughts: The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle | #DSFFBookClub — Read Diverse Books

August’s book of the month for the #DSFFBookClub was The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle, which is a direct response and subversion of H.P. Lovecraft’s short story, The Horror at Red Hook. To fully appreciate and understand LaValle’s novella, I think it’s important that one reads Red Hook. However, you will not have any fun while reading…

via Thoughts: The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle | #DSFFBookClub — Read Diverse Books

KRLemmons 28 Days Later Campaign, African American Authors, African American Literature, Children's literature

Day 12 28 Days Later Campaign from The Brown Bookshelf: Fredrick McKissack

Award winning fiction and information author Fredrick McKissack is Day 12 28 Days Later Campaign author.  He joined the ancestors on April 28, 2013, but he left a written legacy to be enjoyed by others forever.  Read about this author here: http://thebrownbookshelf.com/2015/02/12/day-12-fredrick-mckissack/

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American History, African American Literature, African American Poetry, Children's literature

Giving Thanks Always: Two Children’s Thanksgiving Books

Everyday that I wake up I give thanks.  As a person who is grateful to wake up this morning, and as a school librarian, I’m sharing two books that talk about thanks and Thanksgiving from different perspectives.  These books may be found in your local library and/or can be purchased at Amazon.com

Thanks A Million by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera. Publisher: Greenwillow Books. 2006.  ISBN-10: 068817292X; ISBN-13: 978-0688172923. 32 pages. Ages 5 and up.

Review from School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 4–Sixteen thoughtful poems about being thankful for everyday things. Grimes uses a variety of forms that include haiku, a riddle, and a rebus in selections that speak directly to the experiences of young children. In Lunch Box Love Notes, a big sister sometimes resents having to watch out for her baby brother, but a note left in her lunch box by her mother thanking her for taking such good care of Ray makes it worthwhile. Dear Teacher closes, Signed, David/who only hates math/½ as much/as he used to. A Lesson from the Deaf simply and eloquently describes saying thank you in sign language. Cabreras acrylic illustrations are distinctive, folksy, and effective. The art for Mystery is particularly effective, showcasing 42 children of different ethnicities in small, rectangular portraits. A lovely book for reflection and discussion.–Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

A Strawbeater’s Thanksgiving by Irene Smalls, illustrated by Melodye Benson Rosales. Publisher: Little Brown & Co. 1998.  ISBN-10: 0316798665; ISBN-13: 978-0316798662.  32 pages. Ages 7 and up.

Review from School Library Journal:

Grade 2-5-In this tale based on slave narratives, Smalls presents little-known traditions and unfamiliar figures of speech. At the annual corn-shucking party, seven-year-old Jess longs to be the “strawbeater” who, according to the author’s note, “stands behind a fiddler, reaches around his left shoulder, and beats on the strings while the fiddle is being played, in the manner of a snare drum.” He must wrestle Nathaniel, a bigger boy, for the honor, and when he is chosen for his tenacity rather than his brawn, the festivities begin. There is dancing, singing, good-natured competition, and plenty of food. The story line is somewhat stilted and would require some historical background to be fully appreciated. Rosales’s vibrant, full-color oil paintings carry the emotion and spirit of the day. The bright, bold reds and browns add a sense of power and strength. This is not as satisfying as Patricia and Fredrick McKissack’s Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters (Scholastic, 1994), but it helps to fill out the life stories of slaves and presents an interesting glimpse of a harvest celebration of the period.
Beth Tegart, Oneida City Schools, NY
KRLemmons African American Literature

Sylvia’s Literary BlogSpot Monday Motivation UrbanNation Radio w/ @MonicaMJones wsg @SylviaHubbard June 9th Tune In!

@SylviaHubbard1's avatarThe Literary World of Sylvia Hubbard

AWESOME show in store for you on Monday! Sylvia Hubbard is service and creativity personified. For over a decade she has been relentlessly committed to increasing literacy and supporting writers in and around Metro #Detroit, the state of Michigan and beyond. Be encouraged and inspired by her story.Www.urbannationradio.com

Click for more information…
monicaRadio.jpg

—
Posted By Blogger to Sylvia’s Literary BlogSpot at 6/07/2014 02:11:00 AM

View original post

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American Biography, African American Literature, Lesson Plans, Resources

March 25 Woman of the Day: Toni Cade Bambara

Toni Cade Bambara, born on March 25 in 1939, is March 25 Woman of the Day.  Read about this author, film-maker, and college professor here:

Other resources on Ms. Bambara:

Lesson plans on Ms. Bambara’s stories: http://www.webenglishteacher.com/bambara.html

Pearson Prentice Hall: http://www.phschool.com/atschool/phlit/author_bios/bambara_tc.html

Voices From the Gap, University of Minnesota: http://voices.cla.umn.edu/artistpages/bambaraToni.php

The Bombing of Osage Avenue, a documentary written and narrated by Toni Cade Bamabara: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVbOlY7svfE

Books written by Toni Cade Bambara:

Gorilla, My Love

The Salt Eaters

These Bones Are Not My Child

The Sea Birds Are Still Alive