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Nonfiction African American Books
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Grandfather GandhiCall Number: J B GANDHI
Mahatma Gandhi's grandson tells the story of how his grandfather taught him to turn darkness into light in this uniquely personal and vibrantly illustrated tale that carries a message of peace. How could he-a Gandhi-be so easy to anger? One thick, hot day, Arun Gandhi travels with his family to Grandfather Gandhi's village. Silence fills the air-but peace feels far away for young Arun. When an older boy pushes him on the soccer field, his anger fills him in a way that surely a true Gandhi could never imagine. Can Arun ever live up to the Mahatma? Will he ever make his grandfather proud? In this remarkable personal story, Arun Gandhi, with Bethany Hegedus, weaves a stunning portrait of the extraordinary man who taught him to live his life as light. Evan Turk brings the text to breathtaking life with his unique three-dimensional collage paintings.
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Ballerina DreamsCall Number: JB DEPRINCE
Perfect for newly independent readers--the amazing true story of Michaela DePrince, one of America's top ballerinas. At the age of three, Michaela DePrince found a photo of a ballerina that changed her life. She was living in an orphanage in Sierra Leone at the time, but was soon adopted by a family and brought to America. Michaela never forgot the photo of the dancer she once saw, and quickly decided to make her dream of becoming a ballerina come true. She has been dancing ever since and is now a principal dancer in New York City and has been featured in the ballet documentary First Position, as well as Dancing with the Stars, Good Morning America, and Oprah magazine. nbsp; Young readers will love learning about this inspiring ballerina in this uplifting and informative leveled reader. This Step 4 Step into Reading book is for newly independent readers who read simple sentences with confidence.
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Great Hitters of the Negro LeaguesCall Number: J 796.357 HOB
Great Hitters of the Negro Leagues covers the best batters in black baseball. Step up to the plate for vivid accounts of legendary players such as John Henry Lloyd, Dick Lundy, Willie Wells, Oscar Charleston, Oliver Marcelle, James Bell, Martin Dihigo, Ted Radcliffe, Walter Leonard, Norman Stearnes, Buck O'Neil, Josh Gibson, Raleigh Mackey, and Mule Suttles, as well as the great teams they hit for such as the Homestead Grays, Pittsburg Crawfords, and Kansas City Monarchs. Readers will learn about the players' backgrounds, accomplishments, and rise to fame, and the integration of many of these super sluggers into Major League Baseball. SportsZone is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.
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Cowboy Up!Call Number: J 791. 84 FLO
Celebrated author Nancy Bo Flood combines compelling first-person narrative poems with linked prose explanations to portray the dawn-to-dusk events and activities of a Navajo rodeo. Photographer Jan Sonnenmair contributes dynamic action shots that show off the riders and ropers, the horses, bulls, and broncs, along with portrait photos of young rodeo participants.
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Drumbeat in Our FeetCall Number: J 793.3 Kee
Explores the fascinating origins of African dance. The authors look at unique rituals, colourful costumes and rhythmic instruments and introduce children to dances that have been passed from generation to generation through the ages. in captivating details, Drumbeat In Our Feet captures the beauty, history and energy of African dance. Readers of all ages will delight in this drum-beating, hand-clapping, foot-stomping celebrating of culture and tradition.
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Gospel Grooves, Funky Drummers, and Soul PowerCall Number: J 781. 644 MEN
Find out what drove R & B's earliest performers to stand up and sing. Follow the music's path from gospel choirs to wild funk bands. and learn more about legends such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, and Beyoncé.
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Beautiful BallerinaCall Number: J 792.8 NEL
A talented team of children's book creators craft a beautiful, stirring tribute to the grace and power of prima ballerinas everywhere. Every little girl has the dream to become a prima ballerina! On today's ever-changing cultural stage, ballerinas come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and abilities. To celebrate the beauty of black ballerinas, here is a lush photographic picture book with a brilliant poetic narrative, brought to young readers by two amazing talents. The minimal text balances the harmony of the photos and demonstrates the joy of movement.
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Jam!Call Number: J 781. 65 Lee
Jazz-explosive, soulful, improvisational-is a uniquely American art. Readers will learn about the history and evolution of jazz, virtually sitting in the smoky rooms as musicians jam all night long. The author coversa all aspects of jazz, from ballads to bebop to big band, and highlights the towering figures of the movement.
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Chasing FreedomCall Number: J 813.54 Gri
Nikki Grimes offers a glimpse into the inspiring lives of Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman. What if Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony sat down over tea to reminisce about their extraordinary lives? What would they recall of their triumphs and struggles as they fought to achieve civil rights for African Americans and equal rights for women? And what other historical figures played parts in their stories? These questions led Coretta Scott King Award winner Nikki Grimes to create Chasing Freedom, an engaging work of historical fiction about two of the nineteenth century's most powerful, and inspiring, American women. Additional back matter invites curious young readers to further explore this period in history -- and the larger-than-life figures who lived it.
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I Have the Right to Be a ChildCall Number: J 323.3 SER
With a very simple text accompanied by rich, vibrant illustrations a young narrator describes what it means to be a child with rights & from the right to food, water and shelter, to the right to go to school, to the right to be free from violence, to the right to breathe clean air, and much more. The book emphasizes that these rights belong to every child on the planet, whether they are;black or white, small or big, rich or poor, born here or somewhere. It also makes evident that knowing and talking about these rights are the first steps toward making sure that they are respected.
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Little HumansCall Number: J 305.2 STA
Street photographer and storyteller extraordinaire Brandon Stanton is the creator of the wildly popular blog "Humans of New York." He is also the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Humans of New York. To create Little Humans, a 40-page photographic picture book for young children, he's combined an original narrative with some of his favorite children’s photos from the blog, in addition to all-new exclusive portraits. The result is a hip, heartwarming ode to little humans everywhere.
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FamiliesCall Number: J 306.85 Kuk
In frank, funny, touching, and often surprising interviews, children from fourteen different families talk about how they identify themselves as a family. The range of families profiled in this engaging book reflects the kaleidoscopic diversity of families in America today: there are mixed-race families and immigrant families; families of gay and lesbian couples and very religious families; families with only children, many children, adopted children, and children with special needs. This book is a celebration of all families, and provides young readers with windows into other lives, as well as mirrors in which they can see their own family relationships reflected.
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Our RightsCall Number: J 323.3 WIL
This around-the-world tour introduces readers to children who have taken on the role of social activist, fighting for human rights and social justice in countries as diverse as Yemen and Congo, Canada and the United States. Ten children receive main profiles, and over a dozen others are featured in smaller sidebars. Anita Khushwaha fought against gender and class bias in her community in India. Emman Bagual founded Mind Your Rights to fight child labor in the Philippines. Zach Bonner walked 1,000 miles to raise awareness about homeless children in the United States. A diverse range of other issues is covered, including aboriginal rights, human trafficking and child soldiers, and the full United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child can be found alongside tips for how kids everywhere can make a difference.
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My FamilyCall Number: J 306.85 Kin
Whether families live in modern cities or remote villages, they share many of the same joys and challenges. Vibrant photos and engaging text depict children in many countries as they live, eat, play, work, and learn with members of their families in this celebration of diversity and of the human family.
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Shades of PeopleCall Number: JP Rotner
Cocoa, tan, rose, and almond-people come in lots of shades, even in the same family. This exploration of one of our most noticeable physical traits uses vibrant photographs of childen and a short text to inspire young children both to take notice and to look beyond the obvious.
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I Am AmericaCall Number: J 305.23 Smi
Poet and photographer Charles Smith, Jr. has created a poignant, stunning photographic picture book that celebrates the many faces that make up America. "I am America/I am proud/I am diverse/soft-spoken/and loud." The powerful poem in this one-of-a-kind book is enhanced by the accompanying photographs that represent children of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds. The playful images and touching poetry work together to tell the story of America. Children and parents alike will be moved by each unforgettable face and each strikingly beautiful line of verse. Photographer Charles Smith, Jr. brings his unique artistic style to this patriotic and poignant portrayal of America's children.
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A Life Like MineCall Number: J 305.23 Lif
After ten years of study and consultation, UNICEF, the premier organization devoted to the care and welfare of the world's children, published the results of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Using these tenets as a base, A Life Like Mine profiles children from all over the globe leading their lives in different and fascinating ways. The challenges of nations both developed and developing are revealed in the stories and photographs in this special volume. DK and UNICEF have combined their inspirational forces to provide remarkable insight into children's lives.
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Sit-InCall Number: J 323.1196 Pin
It was February 1, 1960. They didn't need menus. Their order was simple. A doughnut and coffee, with cream on the side. This picture book is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the momentous Woolworth's lunch counter sit-in, when four college students staged a peaceful protest that became a defining moment in the struggle for racial equality and the growing civil rights movement. Andrea Davis Pinkney uses poetic, powerful prose to tell the story of these four young men, who followed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words of peaceful protest and dared to sit at the "whites only" Woolworth's lunch counter. Brian Pinkney embraces a new artistic style, creating expressive paintings filled with emotion that mirror the hope, strength, and determination that fueled the dreams of not only these four young men, but also countless others.
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MosesCall Number: JB Tubman
This poetic book is a resounding tribute to Tubman's strength, humility, and devotion. With proper reverence, Weatherford and Nelson do justice to the woman who, long ago, earned over and over the name Moses.
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Birmingham 1963Call Number: J 811.6 Wea
A poetic tribute to the victims of the racially motivated church bombing that served as a seminal event in the struggle for civil rights. In 1963, the eyes of the world were on Birmingham, Alabama, a flashpoint for the civil rights movement. Birmingham was one of the most segregated cities in the United States. Civil rights demonstrators were met with police dogs and water cannons. On Sunday, September 15, 1963, members of the Ku Klux Klan planted sticks of dynamite at the Sixteenth StreetBaptist Church, which served as a meeting place for civil rights organizers. The explosion killed four little girls.
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Freedom on the MenuCall Number: JP Weatherford
When four courageous black teens sat down at a lunch counter in the segregated South of 1960, the reverberations were felt both far beyond and close to home. This insightful story offers a child's-eye view of this seminal event in the American Civil Rights Movement. Connie is used to the signs and customs that have let her drink only from certain water fountains and which bar her from local pools and some stores, but still . . . she'd love to sit at the lunch counter, just like she's seen other girls do. Showing how an ordinary family becomes involved in the great and personal cause of their times, it's a tale that invites everyone to celebrate our country's everyday heroes, of all ages.
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Racing Against the OddsCall Number: JB Scott
Wendell O. Scott made history as the only black driver to win a race in a NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup) division. Born in Danville, Virginia, he scrimped and saved to buy his first car, a Model T, at age fourteen. Although he "loved to turn the wheel of a racecar, work magic on an engine, and then push it faster than it was ever meant to go," he never had the resources or sponsorship to buy a brand-new racecar. Using second hand Fords that he fixed up in his garage, he competed in five hundred races in NASCAR's top division.
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What Color Is My World? by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; Raymond Obstfeld; Ben Boos (Illustrator); A. G. Ford (Illustrator)Call Number: J 920 ABD
Publication Date: 2012-01-03
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball legend and the NBA's alltime leading scorer, champions a lineup of little-known African-American inventors in this lively, kid-friendly book. Offering profiles with fast facts on flaps and framed by a funny contemporary story featuring two feisty twins, here is a nod to the minds behind the gamma electric cell and the ice-cream scoop, improvements to traffic lights, open-heart surgery, and more - inventors whose ingenuity and perseverance against great odds made our world safer, better, and brighter.
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Harlem's Little BlackbirdFrom acclaimed author Renee Watson and Caldecott Honor winner Christian Robinson comes the true story of Florence Mills. Born to parents who were former-slaves Florence knew early on that she loved to sing. And that people really responded to her sweet, bird-like voice. Her dancing and singing catapulted her all the way to the stages of 1920s Broadway where she inspired songs and even entire plays! Yet with all this success, she knew firsthand how bigotry shaped her world. And when she was offered the role of a lifetime from Ziegfeld himself, she chose to support all-black musicals instead.
Non Fiction Asian Books
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Hey, Charleston!Call Number: J 784.44 ROC
What happened when a former slave took beat-up old instruments and gave them to orphans? A great American art form was born. Hey, Charleston! brings this fascinating moment of African American history to life.
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We Shall OvercomeCall Number: J 782.42162 LEV
It only takes a few words to create change. When those people sing out, they can change the world. 'We Shall Overcome' is one of these songs. From its humble beginnings in America's era of slavery through to the civil rights movement of the 1960s and beyond, it has come to represent the fight for equality and freedom around the world. This important book, lyrically written by Debbie Levy and paired with elegant, collage-style art by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, pays tribute to the heroic spirit of the famous song that encompasses American history.
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A Splash of RedCall Number: J B PIPPIN
As a child, Horace Pippin loved to draw. Even during W.W.I, Horace filled his notebooks with drawings from the trenches . . . until he was shot. Upon his return home, Horace couldn't lift his right arm, and couldn't make any art. Slowly, with lots of practice, he regained use of his arm, until once again, he was able to paint--and paint, and paint! Soon, people--including the famous painter N. C. Wyeth--started noticing Horace's art, and before long, his paintings were displayed in galleries and museums across the country. Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet team up once again to share this inspiring story of a self-taught painter from humble beginnings who despite many obstacles, was ultimately able to do what he loved, and be recognized for who he was: an artist.
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When the Beat Was BornCall Number: J B KOOL
Before there was hip hop, there was DJ Kool Herc. On a hot day at the end of summer in 1973 Cindy Campbell threw a back-to-school party at a park in the South Bronx. Her brother, Clive Campbell, spun the records. He had a new way of playing the music to make the breaks--the musical interludes between verses--longer for dancing. He called himself DJ Kool Herc and this isWhen the Beat Was Born. From his childhood in Jamaica to his youth in the Bronx, Laban Carrick Hill's book tells how Kool Herc came to be a DJ, how kids in gangs stopped fighting in order to breakdance, and how the music he invented went on to define a culture and transform the world.
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The Case for LovingCall Number: J 306.84 ALK
"I support the freedom to marry for all. That's what Loving, and loving, are all about." -- Mildred Loving, June 12, 2007 For most children these days it would come as a great shock to know that before 1967, they could not marry a person of a race different from their own. That was the year that the Supreme Court issued its decision in Loving v. Virginia. This is the story of one brave family: Mildred Loving, Richard Perry Loving, and their three children. It is the story of how Mildred and Richard fell in love, and got married in Washington, D.C. But when they moved back to their hometown in Virginia, they were arrested (in dramatic fashion) for violating that state's laws against interracial marriage. The Lovings refused to allow their children to get the message that their parents' love was wrong and so they fought the unfair law, taking their case all the way to the Supreme Court - and won!
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Trombone ShortyCall Number: JB ANDREWS
Hailing from the Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age six, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest. Along with esteemed illustrator Bryan Collier, Andrews has created a lively picture book autobiography about how he followed his dream of becoming a musician, despite the odds, until he reached international stardom. Trombone Shorty is a celebration of the rich cultural history of New Orleans and the power of music.
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This Land Is Your LandCall Number: J 782.42162 Gut
Honor America-and Woodie Guthrie's 90th birthday-with this beautiful gift package. Featuring the complete lyrics and musical notation to the beloved anthem "This Land is Your Land," as well as a photo-essay about Woody, a note from his daughter Nora Guthrie, and a tribute by beloved folk singer Pete Seeger, this stunning book paints an unforgettable picture of our diverse land.Now an award-winning CD containing nine popular folk songs performed by Woody and Arlo Guthrie is bound into the book, making this a treasure for the whole family or classroom to share.
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Swing SistersCall Number: J 781.65 DEA
In 1909 Dr. Laurence Clifton Jones opened a special home for African American orphans in Mississippi called Piney Woods Country Life School. There, students worked hard on their studies, and no one worked harder than the young musicians who played in the Sweethearts, the school's all-girl swing band. Their music had rhythms and melodies that got people dancing! When the sweethearts left Piney Woods, they moved to Washington, D.C., to try to make it to the big-time in an era when integrated musical groups were practically unheard of. It wasn't always easy, and it wasn't always safe, but the talented Sweethearts of Rhythm ultimately became an international sensation. Joe Cepeda's exuberant illustrations celebrate these brave musicians who chipped away at racist and sexist barriers, and whose music reminded audiences how great it feels to be alive.
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Ryan and JimmyCall Number: J 361.74 Sho
It costs a lot of money to build a well in Africa -- a lot more than Ryan Hreljac had thought. Still, the six year old kept doing chores around his parents' house, even after he learned it could take him years to earn enough money. Then a friend of the family wrote an article in the local newspaper about Ryan's wish to build a well to supply people with safe, clean water. Before long, ripples of goodwill began spreading. But when Ryan's well was built, life in the village changed for the better. A young orphan named Akana Jimmy longed for a chance to thank Ryan in person for this gift of life -- clean water. When they finally meet, an unbreakable bond unites these boys from very different backgrounds, and a long and sometimes life-threatening journey begins. Ryan and Jimmy is part of CitizenKid: A collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens.
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Let's Talk about RaceCall Number: J 305.8 Les
I am a story. So are you. So is everyone. Julius Lester says, "I write because our lives are stories. If enough of those stories are told, then perhaps we will begin to see that our lives are the same story. The differences are merely in the details." Now Mr. Lester shares his own story as he explores what makes each of us special. Karen Barbour's dramatic, vibrant paintings speak to the heart of Lester's unique vision, truly a celebration of all of us.
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Seeds of FreedomCall Number: J 306.3 BASS
Explore a little-known story of the civil rights movement, in which black and white citizens in one Alabama city worked together nonviolently to end segregation. Mention the civil rights era in Alabama, and most people recall images of terrible violence. But something different was happening in Huntsville. For the citizens of that city, creativity, courage, and cooperation were the keys to working together to integrate their city and schools in peace. In an engaging celebration of this lesser-known chapter in American and African-American history, author Hester Bass and illustrator E. B. Lewis show children how racial discrimination, bullying, and unfairness can be faced successfully with perseverance and ingenuity.
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Mom and MeCall Number: J306.874Kon
A picture book collaboration with World Vision that celebrates life the world over! Mom and Me is an affectionate look at the many ways mothers and children relate to and rely upon each other. When nourishment, assistance, instruction, comfort, and special hugs are needed, Mom can offer them in special ways that only their children will ever know. The deep bond they share is beautifully depicted in these storytelling images. This delightful series is the result of the collaboration between Tundra Books and World Vision Canada to bring an array of exceptional photos from around the world to very young children. Each book centers on a universal theme, familiar by its very nature, yet new due to faraway settings and ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic diversity. Each remarkable photo essay will foster discussion, observation, and many smiles as children compare and contrast their own experience to that of others. Watch for further books in this series.
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I Have a DreamCall Number: J 323.092 KIN CD
A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book From Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s daughter, Dr. Bernice A. King: "My father's dream continues to live on from generation to generation, and this beautiful and powerful illustrated edition of his world-changing "I Have a Dream" speech brings his inspiring message of freedom, equality, and peace to the youngest among us--those who will one day carry his dream forward for everyone." On August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington, Martin Luther King gave one of the most powerful and memorable speeches in our nation's history. His words, paired with Caldecott Honor winner Kadir Nelson's magnificent paintings, make for a picture book certain to be treasured by children and adults alike. The themes of equality and freedom for all are not only relevant today, 50 years later, but also provide young readers with an important introduction to our nation's past. Included with the book is an audio CD of the speech.
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This Child, Every ChildCall Number: J 305.23 SMI
The bestselling author-illustrator team behind the phenomenal If the World Were a Village and If America Where a Village return with a revealing and beautifully illustrated glimpse into the lives of children around the world. This Child, Every Child uses statistics and stories to draw kids into the world beyond their own borders and provide a window into the lives of their fellow children. As young readers will discover, there are striking disparities in the way children live. Some children lack opportunities that others take for granted. What is it like to be a girl in Niger? How are some children forced into war? How do children around the world differ in their home and school lives? This Child, Every Child answers such questions and sets children's lives against the rights they are guaranteed under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
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I See the Rhythm of GospelCall Number: J 782.254 Igu
The dynamic author/illustrator team of Toyomi Igus and Michele Wood has come together again to produce I See the Rhythm of Gospel, a sequel to the Coretta Scott King Award-winning I See the Rhythm.Readers of all ages will be captivated by this informative and inspirational blend of poetry, art, and music that relates the history of gospel music as reflected through the journey of African Americans from their arrival as slaves in America to the election of our first black president, Barack Obama.
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Heroes for Civil RightsCall Number: J 323.092 Adl
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader. Fannie Lou Hamer, founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. The Little Rock Nine, pioneers in social integration. Whether marching, speaking, or simply going to school, these brave men and women fought to advance social justice. David A. Adler's moving biographies and Bill Farnsworth's evocative paintings honor these Americans who risked their own lives so that others could enjoy their rights.
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When Marian SangCall Number: JB Anderson
A harmonious introduction to one of our country's most important singers--as envisioned by two of our industry's most important voices. Wide trade & institutional appeal. Marian Anderson is best known for her historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, which drew an integrated crowd of 75,000 people in pre-Civil Rights America. While this momentous event showcased the uniqueness of her voice, the strength of her character, & the struggles of the times in which she lived, it is only part of her story. Like the operatic arias Marian would come to sing, Ryan's text is as moving as a libretto, & Selznick's pictures as exquisitely detailed & elaborately designed as a stage set. What emerges most profoundly from their shared vision is a role model of courage.
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Jesse OwensCall Number: JB Owens
In 1936, America was years away from war with Nazi Germany. But long before the first battle of World War II, a starter's gun fired the first shot in our battle against the Nazis. Adolf Hitler viewed the 1936 Berlin Olympics as a chance to show the superiority of the German "race" over the rest of the world. He never expected that an American, let alone a black American, would dash his dreams. Jesse Owens grew up during an age when segregation laws forced him to eat at separate restaurants and stay at different hotels. But Jesse never let it slow him down while setting world records and winning a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. Once in Berlin, the triumph of Jesse's will helped him run through any barrier, winning not only Olympic gold, but countless fans.
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Champions on the BenchCall Number: JP Weatherford
In 1955, the Cannon Street YMCA chartered the only African American Little League in South Carolina. That same year, sixty-one all-white teams pulled out of the South Carolina Little League State Tournament so they would not have to play the Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars. This story, inspired by the true events of that time, follows one young ballplayer, Cleveland, through that fateful season. Cleveland dreams of playing baseball like his heroes Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron. But things do not go as planned when Cleveland and his team mates find out they are not allowed to play in the tournament despite their talent and hard work during the season. Yet even in the face of such prejudice, the Cannon Street All-Stars find a way to make their families and coaches proud.
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Separate Is Never EqualCall Number: J 379.2 TON
A 2015 Pura BelprE Illustrator Honor Book and a 2015 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book Almost 10 years before "Brown vs. Board of Education," Sylvia Mendez and her parents helped end school segregation in California. An American citizen of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage who spoke and wrote perfect English, Mendez was denied enrollment to a "Whites only" school. Her parents took action by organizing the Hispanic community and filing a lawsuit in federal district court. Their success eventually brought an end to the era of segregated education in California.
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Families Around the WorldCall Number: J 306.85
A successor to the popular Children Around the World written and illustrated by Donata Montanari, this book allows young readers to visit with fourteen children, each from a different country, to learn about their families. Based on real children, each one's story fills a two-page spread and is told in the first person, beginning with a greeting in the child's native language. This is a wonderful, uplifting global studies title perfect for exploring cultures and geography. It would also be useful for a social studies unit on families and family relationships. Adding to its value as a teaching tool are suggestions for lesson plans built around the book, as well as a glossary and pronunciation guide for foreign words.
Graphic Novels
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El Deafo by BellCall Number: J BELL
A 2015 Newbery Honor Book Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful--and very awkward--hearing aid. The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear--sometimes things she shouldn't--but also isolates her from her classmates
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Cesar ChavezCall Number: JB Chavez
A biography telling the life of labor leader Cesar Chavez and the boycotts that he led to gain fair working conditions for farmworkers. Written in graphic-novel format.
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Louis ArmstrongCall Number: JB ARMSTRONG
Louis Armstrong, also known as "Satchmo" and "Pops", became an American jazz legend in the 1920s. His voice and skill with instruments helped him become a popular musician in a time where America was racially divided. Watch as this skilled musician learns to play, buys his first instrument, and becomes one of the best music makers of the era.
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Martin Luther KingCall Number: JB KING
Not even half a century ago America was segregated, when everything depended on teh color of one's skin. Access to schools, restaurants, parks, buses or even water fountains was segregated. And born into this segregated world was Martin Luther King Jr.. The son of a black preacher, King was taught from a young age that he was equal. He deserved the same rights and freedoms as anyone. He dreams of a nation where people are not judged by the color of their skin but by their character. And he believed that dream could one day become reality. Armed with one the nonviolent teachings of Ghandi and a staunch belief that all men and women were created equal, Martin Luther King Jr. stepped to the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement. Through a series of peaceful protests and amrches, King captured the attention of the world...and changed the lives of millions of Americans forever.
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I Remember BeirutCall Number: YA ABIRACHED
Zeina Abirached grew up in Beirut in the 1980s as fighting between Christians and Muslims divided the city streets. with striking black-and-white artwork, Abirached recalls the details of ordinary life inside a war zone.
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Child SoldierCall Number: JB CHI
Michel Chikwanine was five years old when he was abducted from his school-yard soccer game in the Democratic Republic of Congo and forced to become a soldier for a brutal rebel militia. Against the odds, Michel managed to escape and find his way back to his family, but he was never the same again. After immigrating to Canada, Michel was encouraged by a teacher to share what happened to him in order to raise awareness about child soldiers around the world. This is a perfect resource for engaging youngsters in social studies lessons on global awareness and social justice issues, and would easily spark classroom discussions about conflict, children's rights and even bullying. Michel's actions took enormous courage, but he makes clear that he was and still is an ordinary person, no different from his readers. He believes everyone can do something to make the world a better place.
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Little White Duck by Na LiuCall Number: J MAR
The world is changing for two girls in 1970s China. When Chairman Mao dies, new opportunities begin to emerge. the girls soon learn that their childhood will be much different than the upbringing their parents experienced.
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The Underground RailroadCall Number: J 973.7 DUN
United States, 1800s. Due to the need for manual labor, millions of African people were transported to and sold in the United States. These people were treated as property, and many felt this was wrong. These people helped thousands of slaves escape to the North where slavery was illegal. Follow the drinking gourd along the Underground Railroad in these daring graphic novels. Maps, timelines, glossaries, and indexes make these titles an exciting addition to classroom discussion.
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Muhammad AliCall Number: JB ALI
Tells the life story of dynamic heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, who gained fame for his boxing skills, political views, and humanitarian efforts. Written in graphic-novel format.
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Gaijin: American Prisoner of WarCall Number: J Faulkner
With a white mother and a Japanese father, Koji Miyamoto quickly realises that his home in San Francisco is no longer a welcoming one after Pearl Harbor is attacked. And once he's sent to an internment camp, he learns that being half white at the camp is just as difficult as being half Japanese on the streets of an American city during WWII. Koji's story, based on true events, is brought to life by Matt Faulkner's cinematic illustrations that reveal Koji struggling to find his place in a tumultuous world-one where he is a prisoner of war in his own country.
Other Great Reads
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Jars of HopeCall Number: JB SENDLER
Amid the horrors of World War II, Irena Sendler was an unlikely and unsung hero. While many people lived in fear of the Nazis, Irena defied them, even though it could have meant her life. This gripping true story of a woman who took it upon herself to help save 2,500 children from the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust is not only inspirational it's unforgettable."