KRLemmons African American Authors, African American Poets, Children's literature, Multicultural Poetry

Letter to Kwame Alexander

Dear Kwame Alexander, Thank you for making us openly weep last year at the ILA conference when you said, “The mind of an adult begins with the imagination of a child,” and “all kids are the good kids” When we heard you say those words and the room burst into thunderous applause, we knew […]

via An Open Thank You Letter to Kwame Alexander — Nerdy Book Club

KRLemmons Children's literature, Multicultural literature

Martin Mordecai: Blue Mountain Trouble

Martin Mordecai The gorgeous novel BLUE MOUNTAIN TROUBLE from Martin Mordecai debuted to rave reviews last year. Kirkus gave it a starred review, Booklist called it “rich in characterization with a beautifully realized setting”. Publishers Weekly noted that “the author captures the rhythm of the children’s daily life and effectively conveys their hopes, fears and […]

via Throwback Thursday: Martin Mordecai —

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

Jewel Parker Rhodes: Towers Falling

Towers Falling is a compelling novel set in Brooklyn, New York, fifteen years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Jewel Parker Rhodes writes an eloquent story about fifth graders who were not alive to witness the attacks on the towers. But as they learn of the events during lessons at school they begin to understand that the […]

via Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes – Review by Mary Boehmer — Nerdy Book Club

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American Illustrators, Children's literature

The Brown Bookshelf 28 Days Later Campaign Day 27 Vanessa Brantley-Newton

https://static01.nyt.com/video/players/offsite/index.html?videoId=100000004950929

Over the past 13 years, award-winner Vanessa Brantley-Newton has illustrated (or illustrated and authored) approximately 80 books for children, including titles such as Every Little Thing, We Shall Overcome, Mary Had a Little Glam, and The Hula Hoopin’ Queen. Her most recent release is The Youngest Marcher (written by Cynthia Levinson, Simon & Schuster, 1/2017) and later […]

via Day 27: Vanessa Brantley-Newton —

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

TBT from The Brown Bookshelf

In 2012, we featured artist Elizabeth Zunon and her acclaimed second picture book, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. A Junior Library selection, that title won accolades and raves about her style. Since then, Liz has created many treasures including Don’t Call Me Grandma by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and The Legendary Miss Lena Horne […]

via Throwback Thursday: Elizabeth Zunon —

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

The Brown Bookshelf 28 Days Later Campaign Day 14: Christine Kendall

From Philadelphia, The Brown Bookshelf presents Christine Kendall, author of the debut middle grade novel Riding Chance. Christine grew up in a family of six children where everyone played an instrument. She studied piano and clarinet. Her readers are ecstatic that she decided to pursue writing as a fulltime occupation. Please join me in welcoming […]

via Day 14: Christine Kendall —