February 23, 2010
Back of the Bus
by Aaron Reynolds
Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Philomel
Available 01/07/10 in Hardcover
It seems like any other winter day in Montgomery, Alabama. Mama and child are riding where they’re supposed to — way in the back of the bus. The boy passes the time by watching his marble roll up and down the aisle with the motion of the bus, until from way up front a big commotion breaks out. He can’t see what’s going on, but he can see the policeman arrive outside and he can see Mama’s chin grow strong. “There you go, Rosa Parks,” she says, “stirrin’ up a nest of hornets. Tomorrow all this’ll be forgot.” But they both know differently. With childlike words and powerful illustrations, Aaron Reynolds and Coretta Scott King medalist Floyd Cooper recount Rosa Parks’ act of defiance through the eyes of a child — who will never forget.
February 21, 2010
Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down
by Andrea Pinkney
Illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Available 02/03/10 in Hardcover
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.
December 30, 2009
Lee & Low Books
Available 10/01/09 in Hardcover
A recreation of events from the childhood and early career of Augusta Savage, a pioneering female sculptor and major figure of the Harlem Renaissance.
November 16, 2009
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Carolrhoda Books
Available 11/01/09
Sitting tall in the saddle, with a wide-brimmed black hat and twin Colt pistols on his belt, Bass Reeves seemed bigger than life. As a U.S. Marshal – and former slave who escaped to freedom in the Indian Territories – Bass was cunning and fearless. When a lawbreaker heard Bass Reeves had his warrant, he knew it was the end of the trail, because Bass always got his man, dead or alive. He achieved all this in spite of whites who didn’t like the notion of a black lawman. For three decades, Bass was the most feared and respected lawman in the territories. He made more than 3,000 arrests, and though he was a crack shot and a quick draw, he only killed fourteen men in the line of duty. Bad News for Outlaws reveals the story of a remarkable African American hero of the Old West.
September 27, 2009
Riot
by Walter Dean Myers
EgmontUSA
Available 09/22/09
As the Civil War rages, another battle breaks out behind the lines. During a long hot July in 1863, the worst race riots the United States has ever seen erupt in New York City. Earlier that year, desperate for more Union soldiers, President Abraham Lincoln instituted a draft — a draft that would allow the wealthy to escape serving in the army by paying a $300 waiver, more than a year’s income for the recent immigrant Irish. And on July 11, as the first drawing takes place in Lower Manhattan, the city of New York explodes in rage and fire. Stores are looted; buildings, including the Colored Foundling Home, are burned down; and black Americans are attacked, beaten, and murdered. The police cannot hold out against the rioters, and finally, battle-hardened soldiers are ordered back from the fields of Gettysburg to put down the insurrection, which they do — brutally. Fifteen-year-old Claire, the beloved daughter of a black father and Irish mother, finds herself torn between the two warring sides. Faced with the breakdown of the city — “the home” she has loved, Claire must discover the strength and resilience to address the new world in which she finds herself, and to begin the hard journey of remaking herself and her identity. Addressing such issues as race, bigotry, and class head-on, Walter Dean Myers has written another stirring and exciting novel that will shake up assumptions, and lift the spirit.
July 26, 2009
The Birthday Storm (Sassy)
by Sharon Draper
Scholastic Press
Available 10/01/09
The time is summer vacation. Sassy and her family head to Florida by airplane to visit Grammy. It’s Grammy’s birthday and a huge celebration is planned at her beach house. Weather reports have indicated that a possible hurricane is swirling in the Atlantic, but it is not supposed to be a threat. The family lands during beautiful, sunny weather and the summer vacation begins with no problem. But the weather soon takes a turn, and the hurricane changes course, heading right toward Grammy’s town. Houses are boarded up and local people stock up on food, water, and ice. The day of the party dawns seemingly terrible–and the local sea turtles’ lives are threatened. No electricity. No cake. No caterers. No ice cream. No stores are open. But the party goes on without any of that, and Sassy learns that family is more important than decorations, and love is the best gift of all.
April 7, 2009
The Hat That Wore Clara B.
by Melanie Turner-Denstaedt (Author), Frank Morrison (Illustrator)
Available 03/31/09
On Mother’s Sunday at church, Clara B.’s grandma has the most beautiful hat of all the ladies. When people compliment her on it, she says, “Honey, I’m not wearing this hat. This hat is wearing me!” Clara B. likes to sit behind the hat in church and pretend it is wearing her. One day Clara B. decides that pretending isn’t enough, and she waits for her chance at the hat. But when the right moment comes along and she finally gets her hands on it, things don’t go exactly as she’d planned . . . Exuberant illustrations by Frank Morrison perfectly capture a colorful African American Baptist tradition — and the special relationship between a girl, her grandma, and a big, bold, beautiful hat.
April 4, 2009
April 3, 2009
Obama sibling as writer
President Obama’s half-sister has a book deal for a children’s picture story.
Maya Soetoro-Ng’s “Ladder to the Moon,” based in part on Obama’s mother and other family members, will be published by Candlewick Press at a date not yet determined. According to Candlewick, Soetoro-Ng will pay “homage to her mother’s tradition of storytelling.”
The late Ann Dunham is mother both to Obama and Soetoro-Ng, who was born in 1970, nine years after the future president. (Obama and Soetoro-Ng have different fathers.) Soetoro-Ng, who teaches at an all-girls school in Honolulu, campaigned for her half-brother and spoke at last year’s Democratic National Convention.
Los Angeles Times
March 22, 2009
Keena Ford and the Field Trip Mix-up
by Melissa Thomson
illustrated by Frank Morrison
Available 07/09/09
Keena Ford doesn’t mean to get in trouble. In fact, she is very excited to go on a field trip to the United States Capitol with her second-grade class. At school, she is running for a spot on the student council, and on the field trip she’s going to meet a real live US Representative. She’s trying to be on her best behavior. It’s just that mean Tiffany Harris keeps teasing Keena, and Keena does not like to be teased. Award-winning artist Frank Morrison has once again created spot-on illustrations to perfectly compliment this new laugh-out-loud Keena Ford adventure.
March 19, 2009
The Top 10 selling African American children books including those books featuring African American children released in February 2009 from Amazon.com (3/13/09).
- Obama: The Historic Journey: Young Reader’s Edition (New York Times Book) by The New York Times
(Callaway, 02/16/09, Hardcover)
Obama: The Historic Journey: Young Reader’s Edition brings readers the extraordinary story of Barack Obama’s voyage from childhood through his inauguration as the 44th president of the United States of America. His election marked an unprecedented step forward in American history, shattering racial barriers and forever altering the political landscape. No other news source has better captured his story than The New York Times, America’s premier newspaper and the winner of 96 Pulitzer Prizes for journalism. With an astounding array of visual imagery, along with in-depth reporting that has been specially adapted for young readers, this beautifully produced volume gives children a comprehensive portrait of the man whose inspiring message has touched people the world over. Children will be fascinated by the “skinny kid with the funny name” who rose to become America’s first African-American president.
- Elijah Of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
(Scholastic Paperbacks, 02/01/09, Mass Market Paperback)
Eleven-year-old Elijah lives in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves near the American border. He’s the first child in town to be born free, and he ought to be famous just for that. Unfortunately, all that most people see is a “fra-gile” boy who’s scared of snakes and talks too much. But everything changes when a former slave steals money from Elijah’s friend, who has been saving to buy his family out of captivity in the South. Now it’s up to Elijah to track down the thief–and his dangerous journey just might make a hero out of him, if only he can find the courage to get back home.
- Hustlin’ (Drama High) by L. Divine
(Dafina, 02/01/09, Paperback)
- Gifted Hands TV Tie-in: The Ben Carson Story by Gregg Lewis
(Zonderkidz, 02/01/09, Paperback)
In this special Johnson & Johnson TNT movie tie-in edition, kids will read how Ben Carson, an African-American, was able to accomplish his dream through faith and determination. Includes photographs of Ben and his family growing up with a special 8-page color photo section of movie and behind-the-scene images.
- Josephine (Kimani Tru) by Beverly Jenkins
(Kimani, 02/01/09, Paperback)
Josephine Best has it all figured out. Just seventeen, she’s been to college, she has her own hairdressing shop and she refuses to be distracted from her goals. At least until handsome George Brooks begins to pursue her. Jojo isn’t looking for romance, but she permits George to call on her.Adam Morgan has always been a Casanova, and no girl is immune to his charm. But when he comes home wounded from the War Between the States, it’s a girl he used to call “Pest” who’s turning his head. All grown up, Jojo is being courted by another soldier, and Adam knows it would be foolish to play with her heart. Even so, he just can’t get the headstrong lady off his mind.For her part, Jojo can’t deny her growing feelings for Adam. But he’s always been such a flirt—he can’t possibly be serious about her. Besides, she has George falling all over himself to please her. As the war rages on, Adam’s feelings for Jojo grow stronger, but Jojo’s determination to resist him does, too. One thing is clear, though: Jojo is a girl who always gets what she wants, sometimes in spite of herself.
- Dope Sick by Walter Dean Myers
(Amistad, 02/01/09, Hardcover)
The itch starts when things get too heavy for Lil J. Skin popping or stealing pain pills from his mom help him relax. But Lil J’s focus is wandering because money is short, and his man Rico knows a way to make some quick cash. It’s supposed to be an easy deal, but it isn’t so simple when the buyer is an undercover cop. With a gunshot wound to the arm, Rico in jail, and a police officer clinging to life, Lil J is starting to get dope sick. He’d do anything to change the last twenty-four hours, and when he stumbles into an abandoned crack house, it actually might be possible. . . . Walter Dean Myers weaves elements of magical realism into a harrowing story about drug use, violence, alternate perceptions of reality, and second chances.
- Game by Walter Dean Myers
(HarperTeen, 02/01/09, Paperback)
Drew Lawson knows basketball is taking him places. It has to, because his grades certainly aren’t. But lately his plan has run squarely into a pick. Coach’s new offense has made another player a star, and Drew won’t let anyone disrespect his game. Just as his team makes the playoffs, Drew must come up with something big to save his fading college prospects. It’s all up to Drew to find out just how deep his game really is.
- Still I Rise: A Graphic History of African Americans by Roland Laird
(Sterling, 02/03/09, Paperback)
Still I Rise is a critically acclaimed work with an impressive scope: the entire history of Black America, told in an accessible graphic-novel form. Updated from its original version—which ended with the Million Man March—it now extends from the early days of colonial slavery right through to Barack Obama’s groundbreaking presidential campaign. Compared by many to Art Spiegelman’s Maus, Still I Rise is a breathtaking achievement that celebrates the collective African-American memory, imagination, and spirit.
- Friends ’til the End (Good Girlz) by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
(Pocket, 02/10/09, Paperback)
The sixth book in The Good Girlz series from national bestselling author ReShonda Tate BillingsleyJoy in her heart…It’s for real — Jasmine’s in love! She never thought she’d be boy-crazy like her girlfriends Camille, Alexis, and Angel, but now Jasmine and football star C.J. Taylor are inseparable — they’ve even been voted the school’s cutest couple. And with love in the air, everything seems to be going right: Jasmine’s mom has allowed her and C.J. to go out on dates, and even her relationship with her brother Jaquan has improved. Maybe love is contagious!Gone in a heartbeat?But Jasmine’s happiness is shattered when a neighborhood gang begins harassing Jaquan — and trouble quickly escalates to tragedy. With C.J. and his family caught in the crossfire of lies and violence, Jasmine will have to hold on tighter than ever to her faith, to the friends who have never let her down…and to the belief that love truly does conquer all.
- Fast Forward (Kimani Tru) by Celeste O. Norfleet
(Kimani, 02/01/09, Paperback)
How did Kenisha Lewis’s life go from near perfect to sheer chaos in just a few months? Coping with family tragedy is tough enough without getting kicked out of private school and sent to the local public school, where she’s forced to make some major adjustments. New friends (and enemies), new clothes, a hot new guy who might be mixed up in something serious… It’s no surprise that those close to her think Kenisha’s moving way too fast. One thing’s for sure: in order to deal with the trouble that’s coming her way, she’ll have to figure out who to trust, who to ditch and how to be true to the person she really is.…
