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

Happy Birthday Jerry Pinkney!

On this day in 1939, Jerry Pinkney, a future award winner children’s book author/illusrator was born.  Read about this multifaceted and award winning author/illustrator here:

More information about Jerry Pinkney:

Exhibition: http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/787.html

The Pinkney family: http://www.findingdulcinea.com/features/multi-day/net-profiles/6-pinckney-family.html

New York Times Book Review: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/books/review/Sutton-t.html?_r=0

Reading Rockets: http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/pinkneyj/featuredbooks

Interview: http://www.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/Resources/Journals/LA/0916-jul2014/LA0916Conversation.pdf

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American Poetry, Resources

April 18 Poet of the Day: Haki Madhubuti

April 18 Poet of the Day is Haki Madhubuti.  Born Donald Luther Lee in Little Rock, Arkansas, be is poet, essayist, editor and educator. He cofounded, along with two others, Third World Press. Read more about this multitalented poet here:

Additional resources on Haki Madhubuti:

Poetry Foundation: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/haki-madhubuti

African American Literature Book Club (AALBC): http://aalbc.com/authors/haki.htm

Third World Press: http://www.thirdworldpressbooks.com/

Black Past: http://www.blackpast.org/aah/madhubuti-haki-r-don-l-lee-1942

Interview on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss1ZwA9Zx9U

Speech given at Bethel AME Church in Baltimore, MD via YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfsfCzoitxQ

KRLemmons African American Biography, African American Poetry, Resources

April 12 Poet of the Day: Margaret Walker

Margaret Abigail Walker is April 12 Poet of the Day, Best known for her poem, “For My People” and her novel, “Jubilee”, this fascinating woman was the daugher of a Methodist minister and an educator.  Read more about this fascinating writer here:

Reading of the poem, “For My People”:http://www.loc.gov/poetry/poetry-of-america/american-identity/nikkyfinney-margaretwalker.html

Voices From the Gap: http://voices.cla.umn.edu/artistpages/alexanderMargaret.php

Poetry Foundation: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/margaret-walker

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

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American Literature, African American Young Adult Literature, Lesson Plans, Resources

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

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

Bad News for Outlaws

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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

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=16285