Read more about this author’s journey into writing and publishing here:
365 Black Books Throwback Thursday
At the Sherwood Forest Branch Library, I saw a documentary film about Dorothy Foreman Cotton, an activist, educator, and unsung hero in the civil rights movement. She taught voting education to people in the South during the civil rights movement. More information about her film can be found here:
She wrote a book titled “If Your Back’s Not Bent”
The Brown Bookshelf 28 Days Later: Day 12 Monica Mika, author/illustrator, Haircut Day with Dad
Read more about this author/illustrator’s journey to publishing here:
365 Black Books: Erasure Wednesday
Earlier this month, our book club met to discuss the book Erasure by Percival Everett. Erasure was adapted to a movie titled “American Fiction.” I did not see the movie, although it did receive good reviews. Erasure is an excellent book and in my humble opinion, I think Percival Everett is brilliant. The complexity of characters, the theme of black identity, and what does not black enough mean, the publishing industry marketing of African American novels, family, love relationships, the novel within the novel just made this book part satire and very thought provoking. A must read!
NPR reviewed this book. Read the review here:
The Brown Bookshelf 28 Days Later Day 11 Angela Joy, author of Black is a Rainbow Color and Choosing Brave
Angela Joy shares her writing/publishing story of her picture books with The Brown Bookshelf. Read her story here:
365 Black Books: 2018 Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners and Honors Tuesday
Returning to the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, the following books were the 2018 winners and honors.
2018 Author Winner: Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson
2018 Illustrator Award Winner: Out of Wonder, illustrated by Ekua Holmes
2018 Author and Illustrator Honors Title: Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut; written by Derrick Barnes; illustrated by Gordon C. James
John Steptoe New Talent Author Award Winner: The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore. A very good book!
John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award Winner: Mama Africa!; illustrated by Charly Palmer
The Brown Bookshelf 28 Days Later Day 10: Sandra Headen, author of The Warrior on the Mound
I read this book and enjoyed it. Very realistic, well developed characters; strong themes and messages. More about this author can be found here:
365 Black Books Alice Walker Monday
Today, February 9, Alice Walker celebrates her 82nd birthday! Known for The Color Purple, Alice Walker has written essays, novels, and poetry. A few are show below. To read more about her, click here.
The Brown Bookshelf 28 Days Later: Day 9 Yesenia Moses, author of Stella’s Stellar Hair
Read more about this author’s journey into publishing here:
365 Black Books: 2025 Miself in Books Sunday
Miself in Books is an inclusive list of books curated by Michigan school librarians. You can access and download the pdf document here:
Book 1 PreK-Grade 1: Oshun and Me: A Story of Love and Braids by Adiba Nelson; illustrated by Alleanna Harris
Book 2 Lower Elementary: At Night, They Danced by Victoria Scott-Miller; illustrated by Toni D. Chambers
Book 3 Black Lives Great Minds of Science by Tonya Bolden; illustrated by David Wilkerson
Book 4 High School: Up in Smoke by Nick Brooks
The CamaraIfe Maktaba 