Langston Hughes, poet, author and playwright is the featured in Day 7 28 Days Later Campaign from the Brown Bookshelf. Read about this prolific and famous writer here:http://thebrownbookshelf.com/2015/02/07/day-7-langston-hughes-1902-1967/
Day 2 28 Days Later Campaign: JaNay Brown-Wood
Day 2 features JaNay Brown-Wood, author of the book Imani’s Moon: http://thebrownbookshelf.com/2015/02/02/day-2-janay-brown-wood/
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
Beth Tegart, Oneida City Schools, NY
Sylvia’s Literary BlogSpot Monday Motivation UrbanNation Radio w/ @MonicaMJones wsg @SylviaHubbard June 9th Tune In!
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…
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Posted By Blogger to Sylvia’s Literary BlogSpot at 6/07/2014 02:11:00 AM
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
March 13 Woman of the Day: Harriet A. Jacobs
Harriet A. Jacobs, born in 1813, was one of the first African American women to publish an autobiography. Her autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, told how she struggled to avoid the sexual advances of her master. More information about this courageous woman can be found here:
More resources on Harriet A. Jacobs:
Yale University: http://www.yale.edu/glc/harriet/ PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2923.html NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1869987
Middle School lesson plan: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/teachers/lesson3.html
Teacher’s Guide: http://www.us.penguingroup.com/static/pdf/teachersguides/IncidentsSlaveGirlTG.pdf
Annenberg Learner: http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit07/authors-7.html
March 12 Woman of the Day: Virginia Hamilton
March 12 Woman of the Day is Virginia Hamilton, an award winning children’s and young adult’s author, who was born on this day in 1936. Information about this amazing author can be found by clicking here:
Additional resources: Biography.com: http://www.biography.com/people/virginia-hamilton-21106647 Scholastic.com: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/virginia-hamilton Audio from Open Road Media: http://video.openroadmedia.com/UTq3/meet-virginia-hamilton/
TeachingBooks.net: http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?aid=444&a=1
Happy Birthday Ralph Waldo Ellison!
Ralph Waldo Ellison, the author of the classic book Invisible Man was born on March 1. Information on this author can be found by clicking on the following links:
Library of Congress. Type Ralph Ellison in the search box and view hundreds of primary resources on this author at http://loc.gov
PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/ralph-ellison/an-american-journey/587/
NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9977702
Lesson plans/activities on Invisible Man
Random House: http://www.randomhouse.com/highschool/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780679732761&view=tg
PBS: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/lessons_plans/ralph-ellisons-invisible-man/
Ms. Effie’s LifeSavers for Teachers: http://mseffie.com/AP/Invisible%20Man.pdf
Bad News for Outlaws
During Black History Month, I like to learn about relatively unknown African Americans, some who may be called “unsung heroes.” One such person was Bass Reeves, an African American Deputy U.S. Marshall. Thanks to award winning author, Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, and award winning illustrator, R. Gregory Christie, together they created the book, Bad News for Outlaws The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshall. This title is available in hardcover library binding, Kindle, audible, and paperback.m
Bass Reeves was born into slavery in 1838. Although he had a tough life, he had a strong sense of right and wrong that many people admired. The Indian Territory was a haven for many outlaws. When Judge Isaac Parker tried to bring order to this territory, he chose Bass to be a deputy U.S. marshal. Bass proved to be the best man for the job.
Bass worked more than thirty years capturing more than 3000 outlaws. His techniques were cunning, respectful, and peaceful. Violence was Bass’ last resort. As a result of Bass’ techniques, he killed only 14 men in the line of duty. To read how he accomplish this, you must read the book.
Nelson’s thorough research of Bass Reeves’ and her storytelling skills is evident at the beginning of the story. Readers will immediately be drawn into the story when they read the first sentence: “Jim Webb’s luck was running muddy when Bass Reeves rode into town.” Christie’s illustration on the next page captures the fear on Jim Webb’s face, and the quiet, solemn demeanor of Bass Reeves chasing him. Young readers will recognize the themes of justice and fairness, and love the large images of Big Bad Bass Reeves and also the fine attention to details. Once you read this story, you will love it too and include it in your collection.
Additional resources, both print and electronic, on Bass Reeves are listed below.
Burton, Art T., Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves
Paulsen, Gary., The Legend of Bass Reeves
NPR: Bad News for Outlaws http://www.npr.org/books/titles/195248918/bad-news-for-outlaws-the-remarkable-life-of-bass-reeves-deputy-u-s-marshal
Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10131675/Was-the-real-Lone-Ranger-black.html
National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/fosm/historyculture/bass_reeves.htm
Times New Record: http://swtimes.com/sections/news/special-reports/bass-reeves-former-slave-lived-unusual-life.html
The Life and Times of Deputy U.S. Marshall Bass Reeves: http://mentalfloss.com/article/33537/life-and-times-deputy-us-marshal-bass-reeves
Activities:
https://childrenslit-socialstudies.wikispaces.com/Bad+News+for+Outlaws+Reinforcing+Activity
http://www.islma.org/2012BluestemResources/BadNewsOutlaws.pdf
The CamaraIfe Maktaba 