The National Council of Teachers of English is celebrating its 25th Annual African American Read-In. Information about this event can be found by clicking here.
Churches, community organizations, schools, libraries and bookstores can participate in this event. The event can be simple or elaborate, with the focus on literacy, using any works written by African Americans. The event must be held during the month of February. After the event, a brief report must be submitted to NCTE.
The Brown Bookshelf, a group of African American children’s and young adult authors and illustrators, hosts it annual 28 Days Later. 28 Days Later showcases some of the best African American children’s and young adult authors and illustrators.
Day 1 features Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of human rights activists, the late Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz. She is the author of Growing Up X and a children’s book, Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X. Read more about Ms. Shabazz by clicking here.
This week, the Zora Neale Hurston Organization is hosting its annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival in Eatonville, Florida. This is the 25th year of the festival and it is a week-long celebration with workshops, activities, and other events. I mention this festival as a segue into my review of the children’s book, Zora and Me.
Zora and Me, written by Victoria Simon and T.R. Simon, imagines the childhood of Zora in Eatonville, Florida. The story is narrated by Carrie and Zora’s storytelling gives Carrie plenty to say. When a decapitated body is found on a railroad track, Zora creates a believable yet scary story that she is willing to tell anyone who wants to hear it. In fact, Zora also believes she knows the murderer, and, recruiting Carrie and her friend Teddy, goes to many lengths to prove her theory.
Zora and Me is beautifully written, with Carrie’s voice that draws one into the mystery. Carrie and Teddy are fully developed characters and just the right friends for the imaginative Zora. Other characters are developed, too, and the issues of race, particularly passing, racism, poverty, and equality are woven carefully in the story as the mystery unfolds and reveals the killer.
Zora and Me has won a few awards, including the The Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Award.
A discussion guide and lesson plans are available for this book. The discussion guide can be accessed by clicking here: http://www.candlewick.com/book_files/0763643009.bdg.1.pdf
The lesson plan, and other resources can be found on The Teaching Books.Net: http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=21622&a=1
Zora and Me, 192 pages. Hardcover: 978-0763643003; Paperback: 978-0763658144 Grades 5 and up.
Later this month, the 2014 Coretta Scott King Book Award Committee will announce the authors and illustrators recipients. “The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and honors his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.”
I look forward to hearing the announcements. This announcement, as well as others, are part of the American Library Association Youth Media Awards. Many of us have called these awards the Academy Awards for authors and illustrators. These award winning books and media not only honors the authors and illustrators, but also tells the world that these are books that should be read.
Some time ago, I challenged myself to read the honor and award books from the Coretta Scott King Book Awards list http://www.ala.org/emiert/coretta-scott-king-book-awards-all-recipients-1970-present So I shall continue the challenge this year, and begin to read these books. If you do not have a reading challenge, and there are many, you can certainly join me in this challenge!
Happy reading!
December 5, 2013, Nelson Mandela joined the ancestors. He was a tireless leader for human rights and social justice. He left a legacy, in words and in deeds, for us to emulate.
Some of his books are listed below:
Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela How Far From Slaves We Come (co-written with Fidel Castro) In the Words of Nelson Mandela Conversations with Myself (co-written with Barack Obama) Mandela’s Way (Lessons on Life, Love and Courage) co-written with Richard Stengel) Mandela: An Illustrated Autobiography
Children’s books on Nelson Mandela: Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom by Chris van Wyk, Paddy Bouma
The Library of Congress has digital resources on Nelson Mandela. Go to loc.gov and search “Nelson Mandela”
President Obama eloqently spoke on the passing of Nelson Mandela. The link is below: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/12/05/president-obama-delivers-statement-passing-nelson-mandela
YA Books written by authors of color.
Read about this author of the book, Lucky Beans, at The Brown Bookshelf.
Read about this business owner and now author of the book, Lone Bean, at The Brown Bookshelf.
Read about the author of Visiting Langston and Clemente! at The Brown Bookshelf.
The CamaraIfe Maktaba 