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1 | African American / Black Studies | Black Historical Consciousness (BHC) Framework (King, 2020). Elementary Version (King, 2023) | Standards Connections Social Justice Standards by L4J MO Social Studies State Standards Teaching Hard History Standards Native Knowledge 360 Standards C3 National S.S. Standards MO Literacy Standards Other MO Learning Standards Common Core Standards | Teacher Analysis, Comments, Ratings, Questions, Curricular Ideas L = Love! Would love for official curriculum G = Good. Not my absolute favorite, but would be fine w/ it. O = Okay. Good to have around, but I don't feel it's needed M_G = I like it, but maybe __ Grade as better fit? DL = Don't Like. (explain why please, thank u!) P = Problematic (explain why please, thank u!) | Classroom Inventories If you have Clayton-owned copies of the book in your room, you can write: Last Name, # of Copies in your room -if your team shares 1 copy of the book, write "__ Grade Team- 1" -do not include school library copies | School Library Inventory If you have time/energy, you could include: # of hard copies in library, Available on Epic?, Audio-recording? Feel free to include any other potentially helpful notes or questions! | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Titles & Reviews *highly recommended by Black equity-oriented scholars **recommended w/ caveat ***not recommened, only to C/C narratives | Authors *similar identities as those in book **biography of own story | Year Publshd | Age Rec | Keywords Topics Themes Setting Genre Intersectional Representations | Description | #3 Africa & African Diaspora | #1 Power & Oppression | #2 Agency, Resistance & Perserverance | #7 Community, Local & Social Histories | #8 Black Futurism | ||||||||||||
3 | <---> #4 Black Joy & Emotionality <---> #5 Black Identities <---> #6 Historical Contention <---> | ||||||||||||||||||||||
4 | P.O.W.E.R. Framework | ||||||||||||||||||||||
5 | P Positionality & Prosperity | O Oppression & Opposition | W Willpower & Wisdom | E Equity & Entanglements | R Relevance & Responsibility | Captain Classrooms | Glenridge Classrooms | Meramec Classrooms | Captain Library | Glenridge Library | Meramec Library | ||||||||||||
6 | Kindergarten | ||||||||||||||||||||||
7 | *Amina of Zaria: The Warrior Queen | *Dara Beevas | 2021 | 5-8 | Ancient Zazzau Kingdom Nigeria today 1533-1610 | When Amina was a little girl, she didn't dream of being queen―she dreamed of being a fierce warrior. The only problem was that everyone overlooked her. Despite the doubt of the people around her, she mastered every weapon in the armory, like bows and arrows, spears, and swords. Her skills on the battlefield made her native Zaria prosperous, and in the mid-sixteenth century, she became a queen. Through Amina's retelling of her life, Amina of Zaria: The Warrior Queen inspires li'l queens everywhere, especially Black and Brown girls, to believe that when they fight for what they believe in, they can uplift a nation. | x | ||||||||||||||||
8 | *Chicken in the Kitchen Lesson Plan for Chicken in the Kitchen | *Nnedi Okorafor | 2015 | 4-8 | Modern Nigeria | This is a Nigerian story of friendship – between Anyaugo and Wood Wit, and between Anyaugo and the chicken. It is a story about culture, particularly the religious beliefs embodied in the masquerade celebration of the Igbo New Yam Festival. | x | x | Kinder: "A lot of text, but children will love the story" - 3 | ||||||||||||||
9 | Kente Colors (for kids) (For adult reading on Kente cloth tale) | *Debbi Chocolate | 1996 | 4-8 | Modern West Africa Ancient Ashante tale | A joyful ode to kente celebrates the beauty and tradition of this West African fabric that is now so popular in America. Rhythmic verse shows the special meaning of colors and patterns while glorious paintings show kente as it is used and worn in Ghana, from babies' blankets to dancers' capes. An author's note further explains kente's rich symbolism. Readers young and old will delight in discovering the connections between African culture and the colorful cloth we love to wear. | x | x | "Better fit for K or art classroom" | ||||||||||||||
10 | Zaynab's Enchanted Scarf Zaynab's Enchanted Scarf Coloring & Activity Book | *Robyn Abdusamad | 2017 | 3-6 | African diaspora | Zaynab’s Enchanted Scarf teaches young readers about the historical contributions of Africans and African-Americans with beautiful illustrations that reflect the modernization of today as well as the past. Join Zaynab on a magical trip where she finds the courage and strength to find her way home. In this book, which is part of a series, little Zaynab travels to Africa to meet Queen Amina, Mansa Musa and Egyptian Royalty Ramses and Nefertiti. Beautiful and educational children's coloring and activity book that's inspired by the magnificent story book, "Zaynab's Enchanted Scarf". | x | ||||||||||||||||
11 | *Smile with African Style | Mylo Freeman | 2021 | 5-8 | Modern Africa | Macy proposes to celebrate African heritage in a very visible way. Her teacher, Miss Brown, compliments her dress. Miss Brown, who is also Black, identifies the fabric as typical of West Africa. When Macy suggests that her classmates each wear an outfit from a different African country, Miss Brown loves the idea. The following week, Miss Brown points to Kenya on an African map as Naomi models a Kenyan Masai dress made with red shuka cloth and colorful beaded necklaces. Macy’s classmates wear Ghanaian Ashanti kente cloth; Angolan, Namibian and Ethiopian garb; a Nigerian ceremonial outfit, the agbada; a Rwandan Tutsi warrior’s clothing; and a Cameroonian elephant mask with matching outfit. Macy arrives late with a special surprise that makes everyone smile. | x | Kinder: "Love, but with questions, Would love more opinions about ceremonial vs. everyday dress depictions", 3 | |||||||||||||||
12 | Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock | Eric A. Kimmel | 1988 | 4-8 | West African tale Popular in Carribean | Anansi the Spider is the master trickster, and his shenanigans are humorously presented in these fantastic narratives based on West African folktales. In Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock, the clever Anansi uses a magic rock he finds to pilfer food from his animal friends. What he doesn't realize is that the shy Little Bush Deer is observing his antics, and ultimately tricks the trickster! Rhythmic text helps build the suspense to a satisfying and delightful conclusion. After eating his way into Elephant's melon and getting stuck, Anansi decides his only way out is to trick his friends into believing that the melon can talk. Elephant is delighted to share his special melon with the other animals, especially King Monkey. When the melon insults the King, however, mayhem ensues, much to Anansi's glee. Snappy and fresh, this playful tale is a perfect listen. | x | x | |||||||||||||||
13 | Mansa Musa Builds a School | *Oladele Olafuyi *Louisa Olafuyi | 2020 | 3-6 | Ancient Mali | Kids enjoy this fun and inspirational story based on Mansa Musa, the loved leader of the Mali Empire. A kind king who wants to help people but doesn’t know how to. That’s until a fruit-seller gives him a bright idea! | x | Kinder: "Okay - Good intro. To ancient African leader" | |||||||||||||||
14 | Queen Kitami Makes Friends | *Oladele Olafuyi *Louisa Olafuyi | 2020 | 3-6 | Ancient Uganda | This book is about Queen Kitami, the playful leader of Mpororo. She’s faced with having to make new friends, a process which hasn’t been easy, but she has a plan! This is a fictional story based on a real-life warrior Queen Kitami-kya-Nyawera, leader of the Mpororo Kingdom, now part of modern-day Uganda, East Africa. | x | Kinder: "Okay" | |||||||||||||||
15 | Queen Yaa Saves the Golden Stool | *Oladele Olafuyi *Louisa Olafuyi | 2020 | 3-6 | Ancient Ashanti Kingdom Ghana today | Queen Yaa Asantewaa was a brave queen of the Ashanti Kingdom who went the extra mile to protect her people and culture. | x | Kinder: "Okay" | |||||||||||||||
16 | Alphabet of Black Cultures | *Jeffrey Daniels | 2020 | 2-12 | African Diaspora, mainly Africa | Alphabet of Black Cultures offers a positive, trauma-free celebration of Blackness in a global context with colorful illustrations, simple language, and a detailed notes section for further investigation. Learners of all ages are invited to explore the inventions, music, games, customs, and cultures of a world connected by African heritage. | x | Kinder: Good | |||||||||||||||
17 | My Rows & Piles of Coins | *Tololwa M. Mollel | 2019 | 4-7 | Modern Tanzania | The market is full of wonderful things, but Saruni is saving his precious coins for a red and blue bicycle. How happy he will be when he can help his mother carry heavy loads to market on his very own bicycle—and how disappointed he is to discover that he hasn’t saved nearly enough! Determination and generosity are at the heart of this satisfying tale set in Tanzania and illustrated with glowing watercolors that capture the warmth of Saruni’s family and the excitement of market day. | x | Kinder: "Good" - 3, 4, 7, Math connection? | |||||||||||||||
18 | *Mama Miti | Donna Jo Napoli | 2014 | 4-8 | Modern Kenya | Donna Jo Napoli and Kadir Nelson tell the true story of Wangari Muta Maathai, known as “Mama Miti,” who in 1977 founded the Green Belt Movement, an African grassroots organization that has empowered many people to mobilize and combat deforestation, soil erosion, and environmental degradation. Today, more than 30 million trees have been planted throughout Mama Miti’s native Kenya, and in 2004 she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. | x | x | Kinder: "Love" Beautiful illustrations, women helping women in the community - 3, 4, 7 | ||||||||||||||
19 | *Our Story Starts in Africa Assured Text Kindergarten | *Patrice Lawrence | 2022 | 4-7 | Modern Trinidad US/ Black History | When Paloma goes to visit her family in Trinidad, she doesn’t feel that she fits in. But Tante Janet has a story to tell her: An ancient story of warrior queens and talking drums, of treasures and tales that span thousands of years . . . a story that Paloma shares in, because her story, too, starts in Africa. Paloma's aunt shares the story of how her family came to the Caribbean, through the dark days of colonization and enslavement, to the emergence of a thriving, contemporary community of many faces, places and successes. | x | x | x | x | x | Bickert-1, Riley-1, Sieve-1 | |||||||||||
20 | Juneteenth for Mazie | 4-9 | Family Heritage Enslavement History Celebration | Mazie is unhappy because it is bedtime, and she would much rather stay up. She snuggles up to her father, who tells about a big celebration that will occur tomorrow—“on a day we call Juneteenth.” It begins with “Great, Great, Great Grandpa Mose,” who is a slave in the cotton fields until June 19, 1865, when freedom is finally proclaimed in Galveston, Texas. Dancing and celebrating in the streets greet the news. Mazie's father promises Mazie a day of good food, fun and remembrance. Cooper’s story is straightforward and aimed at an early-elementary audience, but it provides sufficient information to use with older children as an introduction to Juneteenth | x | x | x | x | Kinder: "Love" - 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 | ||||||||||||||
21 | Ella: Queen of Jazz | 4-7 | Jim Crow History Prejudice Barrier Breakers White Allies / Solidarity Female Musicians | Ella Fitzgerald sang the blues and she sang them good. It seemed like nothing could stop her, until the biggest club in town refused to let her play… and all because of her skin color. But when all hope seemed lost, little did Ella imagine that a Hollywood star would step in to help. This is the incredible true story of how a remarkable friendship between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe was born – and how they worked together to overcome prejudice and adversity. An inspiring story, strikingly illustrated, about the unlikely friendship between two celebrated female icons of America’s golden age. | x | x | Kinder: Okay - 2, 4, 6 | ||||||||||||||||
22 | *The Youngest Marcher | 7-10 | Birmingham, Alabama | Nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks intended to go places and do things like anybody else. So when she heard grown-ups talk about wiping out Birmingham’s segregation laws, she spoke up. As she listened to the preacher’s words, smooth as glass, she sat up tall. And when she heard the plan—picket those white stores! March to protest those unfair laws! Fill the jails!—she stepped right up and said, I’ll do it! She was going to j-a-a-il! A vivid reminder that it took a community to fight segregation and the community responded. | x | x | Kinder: "Good, Long with a lot of text, but could be VERY good study for action standards" - 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 | ||||||||||||||||
23 | **Ron’s Big Mission Lesson Plan for Ron's Big Mission by Lindbergh Kindergarten Teacher Meredith Labadie | 6-10 | South Carolina 1950s | This book tells the story of Ron McNair, who overcame racism to become one of the first African American astronauts. The book details an incident that occurred when Ron was a child. Ron visited the local library, but was not allowed to check out books due to the color of his skin. Ron courageously protested this unfair treatment. This book not only offers the opportunity to address issues of prejudice and discrimination, but also how people can take action and protest unfair treatment. Additionally, this book educates readers about the contributions of a pioneering African American in the S.T.E.M. field. | x | x | Kinder: "Love" - 1, 2, 4, 6 | ||||||||||||||||
24 | *George Crum & the Saratoga Chip | 4-8 | Sarasota Spring, NY 1830s Inventor | Growing up in the 1830s in Saratoga Springs, New York, isn't easy for George Crum. Picked on at school because of the color of his skin, George escapes into his favorite pastimes - hunting and fishing. Soon George learns to cook too, and as a young man he lands a job as chef at the fancy Moon's Lake House. George loves his work, except for the fussy customers, who are always complaining! One hot day George's patience boils over, and he cooks up a potato dish so unique it changes his life forever. | x | Kinder: Okay - 2, 4, 6 | |||||||||||||||||
25 | *Have You Thanked An Inventor Today? | 4-7 | Inventors STEM | Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? is a journey into the often forgotten contributions of African-American inventors, that contributed to the American landscape. It chronicles the school day of a little boy, highlighting different inventions that he uses throughout the day, all of which were invented by African-Americans. The book comes complete with brief biographies about each inventor as well as fun activities to promote and encourage reading comprehension. "Have You Thanked an Inventor Today?" was selected by Microsoft as a book that inspires STEM and also received a 5 Star Rating from Reader's Favorite! | x | x | Kinder: Love - 2, 4, 5, cross-curricular with science | ||||||||||||||||
26 | *ABCs of Black History Educator Guide for ABCs of Black History | Book: 2-8 Lesson: 5-8 | Africa / US Poetry | Letter by letter, this book honors and commemorates a story that spans continents and centuries, triumph and heartbreak, creativity and joy. It’s a story of big ideas—P is for Power, S is for Science and Soul. Of significant moments—G is for Great Migration. Of iconic figures—H is for Zora Neale Hurston, X is for Malcom X. In addition to rhyming text, the book includes back matter with information on the events, places, and people mentioned in the poem. | x | x | x | x | x | Kinder: "Love - Great jumping off point for conversations about Black history" - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 | |||||||||||||
27 | Shhh! The Baby’s Asleep! | 2-5 | Family Siblings | Baby is finally asleep. But everyone is much too loud! Can Mom, Daddy, Grammy, Pop Pop, Shae, Dante, Rover the dog, and even the neighbor keep quiet? Just when they think they can rest—oh no. The baby's awake. One savvy little narrator knows just the way to make his baby sister fall back asleep: by reading her a good book! A hilarious cast of characters will keep readers laughing throughout this amusing celebration of early literacy and intergenerational family relationships. | x | Kinder: "Okay Really like the book to emphasize the family and make ups of a family", 4 | |||||||||||||||||
28 | *Don't Touch My Hair | Sharee Miller | 2018 | 2-6 | Black Identity Boundaries | An entertaining picture book that teaches the importance of asking for permission first as a young girl attempts to escape the curious hands that want to touch her hair. It seems that wherever Aria goes, someone wants to touch her hair. In the street, strangers reach for her fluffy curls; and even under the sea, in the jungle, and in space, she's chased by a mermaid, monkeys, and poked by aliens . . . until, finally, Aria has had enough! Author-illustrator Sharee Miller takes the tradition of appreciation of black hair to a new, fresh, level as she doesn't seek to convince or remind young readers that their curls are beautiful -- she simply acknowledges black beauty while telling a fun, imaginative story. | x | ||||||||||||||||
29 | I Love My Hair | 2-6 | Black Identity Heritage Confidence | In this imaginative, evocative story, a girl named Keyana discovers the beauty and magic of her special hair, encouraging black children to be proud of their heritage and enhancing self-confidence. | x | ||||||||||||||||||
30 | Soul Food Sunday | 2021 | 4-8 | Family | At Granny’s, Sunday isn’t Sunday without a big family gathering over a lovingly prepared meal. Old enough now, our narrator is finally invited to help cook the dishes for the first time: He joins Granny in grating the cheese, cleaning the greens, and priming the meat for Roscoe Ray’s grill. But just when Granny says they’re finished, her grandson makes his own contribution, sweetening this Sunday gathering—and the many more to come. | x | |||||||||||||||||
31 | One Word from Sophia | 4-8 | Family Persuasive Writing Action Fun Vocabulary | One small, vivacious, loquacious little brown girl dreams of her One True Desire: a pet giraffe for her birthday. Sophia must first convince Mother, a judge; Father, a businessman; Uncle Conrad, a politician; and Grand-mamá, the strictest of them all. Sophia crafts consecutive speeches to build a case for the judge, a cost analysis for the businessman, and a poll (of her toys) for the politician. A concluding glossary explicates the advanced vocabulary with wit and warmth. | x | ||||||||||||||||||
32 | A Grand Day | 4-8 | Family Grandparents | Follow all kinds of family configurations as grandparents and grandchildren celebrate togetherness: baking, exploring, gardening, and all of life’s joyful moments. This rhyming, warmhearted picture book captures the unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren in every kind of family! | x | Kinder: "Love- Could be good for our unit on identity and families" | |||||||||||||||||
33 | A Beach Tail | Karen Lynn Williams | 2010 | 3-6 | Family Father/Son | hile Greg and his dad enjoy a beach day, Dad sets two rules: “Don’t go in the water / and don’t leave Sandy,” a lion Greg has drawn in the sand. As the little boy continues drawing the lion’s tail, he discovers myriad items along the shore. Williams’s rhythmic, onomatopoeic Swish-swoosh of the waves and the clear, descriptive text transport readers into Greg’s experiences, which range from spotting a “gooey purple jellyfish” to watching a “tiny ghost crab / scurry sideways into his dark, round hole.” Cooper’s mastery with pastels results in a grainy, sun-washed effect that conjures a hot seaside day. Most stunning are the endearing, intimate close-ups of Greg immersed in artistic play. Children will relate to his adventure, which pivots on the moment he realizes he has lost sight of his dad. But a winning combination of good memory and self-reliance lead to a most satisfactory ending. | x | ||||||||||||||||
34 | Lola Plants a Garden | 2-4 | Science Nature Poetry | How does your garden grow? Book-loving Lola is inspired by a collection of garden poems that she reads with her mommy. She wants to plant her own garden of beautiful flowers, so she and Mommy go to the library to check out books about gardening. They choose their flowers and buy their seeds. They dig and plant. And then they wait. Lola finds it hard to wait for her flowers to grow, but she spends the time creating her own flower book. Soon she has a garden full of sunflowers and invites all of her friends for cakes and punch and a story amongst the flowers. | x | Kinder: "Good" - 4 | |||||||||||||||||
35 | Rooftop Garden | 3-7 | Urban Neighborhood | A group of city friends work diligently together to grow herbs and vegetables in a rooftop garden. Set to a foot-tappin' original tune, this rhythmic, rhyming story will have kids singing enthusiastically about the six stages of plant growth. The story concludes with a summer harvest and feast that celebrates the gardeners' commitment. Includes singalong audio and video animation. | x | From 1st grade: "Great urban representation of a building community, lots of pictures with many different families working together to make a rooftop garden, White black, brown, moms, dads, kids, wearing hijab.. This book may be a better fit for K" | |||||||||||||||||
36 | *Crown: Ode to the Fresh Cut Crown Lesson Plan: Primary Source Pairing | 5-12 | Identity Neighborhood | The barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good. This rhythmic, book is a celebration of the self-esteem and confidence boys feel when they leave the barber’s chair—a tradition that places on their heads a figurative crown, beaming with jewels, that confirms their brilliance and worth and helps them not only love and accept themselves but also take a giant step toward caring how they present themselves to the world. | x | ||||||||||||||||||
37 | Bibbity Bop Barbershop | 1-5 | Identity Neighborhood Poetry (jazzy beat) | In this companion book to the bestselling I Love My Hair, a young boy, Miles, makes his first trip to the barbershop with his father. Like most little boys, he is afraid of the sharp scissors, the buzzing razor, and the prospect of picking a new hairstyle. But with the support of his dad, the barber, and the other men in the barbershop, Miles bravely sits through his first haircut. Written in a reassuring tone with a jazzy beat and illustrated with graceful, realistic watercolors, this book captures an important rite of passage for boys and celebrates African-American identity. | x | Kinder: "Identity and diversity units" - 4 | |||||||||||||||||
38 | Round Our Way on Neighbors’ Day | 4-7 | Neighborhood Poetry | It’s a sunny, summer day—perfect for a block party. A pig-tailed protagonist heads home after double Dutch and dancing to help Momma cook. On her way she encounters some familiar sights: Grandpop at the barber’s, Raven painting a mural, a ball game at the center. In this lively and accessible poem, a multicultural community brings food, music and laughter to the streets to celebrate their neighborhood. | x | Kinder: "Love - Good for identity unit- inspire conversation/project around neighborhood/community" - 4, 5 | |||||||||||||||||
39 | *Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon | 5-8 | Urban Neighborhood | Who needs a backyard when there are brownstone steps, double dutch, and freeze tag beneath the sizzling summer sun? The jingling bell of the ice cream truck mingles with laughter and sidewalk rhymes. Frosty lemonade from the corner store and tight cornrows beat the heat with style. There's nothing like summer in the city with friends, family, and a child's imagination for company. | x | ||||||||||||||||||
40 | The Breaking News | 5-8 | Family Community Resilience Action | When devastating news rattles a young girl's community, her normally attentive parents and neighbors are suddenly exhausted and distracted. At school, her teacher tells the class to look for the helpers―the good people working to make things better in big and small ways. She wants more than anything to help in a BIG way, but maybe she can start with one small act of kindness instead . . . and then another, and another.Small things can compound, after all, to make a world of difference. The Breaking News by Sarah Lynne Reul touches on themes of community, resilience, and optimism with an authenticity that will resonate with readers young and old. | x | Kinder: "Love, for action units; maybe good to send home to parents too?" | |||||||||||||||||
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45 | *Imhotep of Ancient Kemet - Our Ancestories Imhotep of Ancient Kemet - Kirkus Review Assured Text 1st Grade | *Ekiuwa Aire | 2022 | 3-7 | Ancient Egypt | Over 4,000 years ago, in ancient Egypt, a young boy named Imhotep was born. From a young age, he excelled and quickly became known as a genius. Imhotep had the ability to see through difficult problems and was often trying new techniques and experiments. He had many talents, and as an architect, Imhotep designed the step pyramid at Sakkara--one of the most incredible structures in ancient history. The step pyramid still stands strong today. In the pages of this book, you'll discover the Egypt known to Imhotep, as he grows from a curious young man into one of the most successful, intelligent, and well-known men in ancient Egypt. | x | ||||||||||||||||
46 | *I Lost My Tooth in Africa *I Lost My Tooth In Africa Lesson Plan | *Penda Diakitè | 2006 | 5-8 | Modern Mali | Coretta Scott King Honor author/artist Baba Wague Diakite and his 12-year-old daughter, Penda, create a charming, original adventure story about losing a first tooth while visiting family in Mali. More than anything, Amina wants to lose her loose tooth while visiting her family in Mali, West Africa. Only then can she put it under a gourd for the African tooth fairy, who will exchange it for two chickens! Happily this happens, and even better, the chickens lay eggs. But will the eggs hatch before it's time to return home to America? In this fresh, spontaneous story that is infused with close family warmth, Penda June Diakite joins forces with her award-winning author/artist father to give a charming peek at everyday life in Mali. | x | ||||||||||||||||
47 | *Carter Reads the Newspaper | Deborah Hopkinson | 2019 | 6-9 | Carter G. Woodson didn't just read history. He changed it." As the father of Black History Month, he spent his life introducing others to the history of his people. Carter G. Woodson was born to two formerly enslaved people ten years after the end of the Civil War. Though his father could not read, he believed in being an informed citizen, so Carter read the newspaper to him every day. As a teenager, Carter went to work in the coal mines, and there he met Oliver Jones, who did something important: he asked Carter not only to read to him and the other miners, but also research and find more information on the subjects that interested them. "My interest in penetrating the past of my people was deepened," Carter wrote. His journey would take him many more years, traveling around the world and transforming the way people thought about history. | x | x | Dr. LaGarrett King gave this book to every attendee at the 1st Teaching Black History Conference. =) Carter Woodson is the "Father of Black History," started "Black History Month" | |||||||||||||||
48 | Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella | Robert D. San Souci | 2002 | 5-10 | Alternative Fairy Tale Carribean | You may think you already know this story about a beautiful servant girl, a cruel stepmother, a magnificent ball, and a lost slipper. But you’ve never heard it for true. Now you can hear the tale from someone who was there: a poor washerwoman from the island of Martinique. She has just one thing in the world to love, her goddaughter Cendrillon. When she finds Cendrillon heartsick over a rich man’s son, at first she doesn’t know what to do. But she has sharp wits, a strong will, and the magic wand her mother left her—and soon she has a plan to give her dear Cendrillon the gift of a love that will change her life. Adapted from a traditional Creole story, this fresh retelling captures all the age-old romance and magic of Cinderella, melding it with the vivid beauty of the Caribbean and the musical language of the islands. | x | 1st: "Okay. Would be great for book alike/story alike to Fairy Tales/ Folk Tales" | |||||||||||||||
49 | More Than a Princess | Delanda and Terrence Coleman African American wife/husband | 2019 | 3-7 | Alternative Fairy Tale | In More Than a Princess, you will meet Princess Kiana. Guided by her fairy godmother, Kiana receives a chance to explore life outside a castle. She explores a future career as an astronaut, a doctor, an engineer, and a designer - because who says she can’t be more than just a princess? More Than A Princess is a fairy tale, aiming to show girls worldwide all they can achieve, with vision and dedication, focused in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). Through the lens of an African American / Black princess, this book offers the reader a rhyming kids’ book that showcases careers in a modern way. | x | ||||||||||||||||
50 | Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella | Paul Fleischman and Julie Paschkis | 2007 | 4-10 | Alternative Fairy Tale Multicultural | Once upon a time, in Mexico . . . in Ireland . . . in Zimbabwe . . . there lived a girl who worked all day in the rice fields . . . then spent the night by the hearth, sleeping among the cinders. Her name is Ashpet, Sootface, Cendrillon . . . Cinderella. Her story has been passed down the centuries and across continents. Now Paul Fleischman and Julie Paschkis craft its many versions into one hymn to the rich variety and the enduring constants of our cultures. | x | ||||||||||||||||
51 | Hands Around the Library: Protecting Egypt's Treasured Books | Karen Leggett Abouraya | 2012 | 3-5 | Modern Egypt | The inspiring true story of demonstrators standing up for the love of a library, from a New York Times bestselling illustrator In January 2011, in a moment that captured the hearts of people all over the world, thousands of Egypt's students, library workers, and demonstrators surrounded the great Library of Alexandria and joined hands, forming a human chain to protect the building. They chanted "We love you, Egypt!" as they stood together for the freedom the library represented. | x | x | |||||||||||||||
52 | I Am Ruby Bridges | **Ruby Bridges | 2022 | 4-8 | Louisiana | When Ruby Bridges was six years old, she became the first Black child to integrate the all-white William Frantz Elementary in Louisiana. Based on the pivotal events that happened in 1960 and told from her point of view, this is a poetic reflection on her experience that changed the face of history and the trajectory of the Civil Rights movement. I Am Ruby Bridges offers hope and confidence to all children. It is the perfect learning tool for schools and libraries to teach the story of Ruby Bridges and introduce this landmark story to young readers in a powerful new way. This story of innocence and courage is brought to life by NAACP-nominated artist, Nikkolas Smith through stunning and breath-taking illustrations. Embracing the meaning of her name, Bridges reflects with poignancy and heart on the way one brave little girl stood proud to help build a bridge between all people and pave the path for future generations. | x | x | 1st grade: "Love. A must- order now!" | ||||||||||||||
53 | Justice Is . . . A Guide for Young Truth-Seekers | Preet Bharara | 2022 | 3-6 | Activism | In clear and simple language, Preet Bharara, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York,explains what justice is and what it takes to achieve it for even the youngest readers. Drawing on examples of historic justice seekers whose deeds best demonstrate those attributes by asking hard questions, keeping an open mind, defending the truth, and using their voices and their bodies to fight injustice—such as Ida B. Wells, John Lewis, Malala Yousafzai, and many others, this timely book is perfect for exploring the concept of justice. Inspire young listeners to fight for justice in their world and to remain hopeful that by standing together, it can triumph. | x | x | x | ||||||||||||||
54 | More than Peach: Changing the World One Crayon at a Time | **Bellen Woodard | 2022 | 6-10 | x | x | x | 1st grade: "Love. Great book to use with our beginning of the year identity unit and a beautiful book to celebrate diversity" | |||||||||||||||
55 | Memory Jars | Vera Brosgol | Freda is devastated when she can’t eat all the delicious blueberries she’s picked. She has to wait a whole year before they’re back, and she doesn’t want to lose them! Then Gran reminds her that they can save blueberries in a jar, as jam. So Freda begins to save all her favorite things. But it turns out that saving everything also means she can’t enjoy anything, and Freda realizes that some things are best saved as memories. | x | |||||||||||||||||||
56 | One Word from Sophia | Jim Averbeck | Sophia tries varied techniques to get the giraffe she wants more than anything in this playfully illustrated story about the nuances of negotiation. Sophia has one true desire for her birthday. But she has Four Big Problems in the way: Mom, Dad, Uncle Conrad...and Grand-mama. Will her presentations, proposals, and pie charts convince them otherwise? Turns out, all it takes is one word. | x | 1st grade: "Love. Perfect connection to persuasive and mapping" | ||||||||||||||||||
57 | Rain School | x | x | 1st grade: "Love. Unit 3- what is school? A building/structure or what happens within? Would be helpful to have another story to counter the single narrative" | |||||||||||||||||||
58 | Rapunzel | Rachel Isadora | Alternative Fairy Tale African | Caldecott Honor winner Rachel Isadora's gorgeous collages breathe new life into this classic tale, capturing Rapunzel's striking beauty and the lush African setting, a new home for this story, with wonderful details such as Rapunzel's long dreadlocks and the prince's noble steed, a zebra. Readers will delight in the vibrant illustrations, thrill at the appearances of the frightening sorceress, and chime in with the familiar line. "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair," as they follow this well-loved tale. | x | 1st grade: "Love. Retelling of rapunzel, centered in Africa with African family." | |||||||||||||||||
59 | Ruby Bridges Goes to School | x | x | ||||||||||||||||||||
60 | Ruby Bridges: This is Your Time | x | x | 1st grade: "Good. I think the photographs and simple text is great- this could be a really good connection to activism" | |||||||||||||||||||
61 | Sukey and the Mermaid | x | |||||||||||||||||||||
62 | The Girl Who Buried Dreams | x | x | ||||||||||||||||||||
63 | The Little Mermaid | x | 1st grade: "Good. Retelling of the Little Mermaid with African American or African characters. The mermaid finds a friend, not a husband, and ultimately returnst o her life in the sea." | ||||||||||||||||||||
64 | The Other Side | x | x | ||||||||||||||||||||
65 | The Storyteller | Ancient Egypt | x | ||||||||||||||||||||
66 | The World Belonged to Us | x | |||||||||||||||||||||
67 | When the Schools Shut Down | x | x | 1st grade: "Love. The illustrations work well to support SS unit 2 past and present" | |||||||||||||||||||
68 | White Water | x | x | ||||||||||||||||||||
69 | With Books and Bricks: How Booker T. Washington Built a School | x | x | ||||||||||||||||||||
70 | Your Legacy | x | x | x | |||||||||||||||||||
71 | Grandma’s List | x | |||||||||||||||||||||
72 | The School is Not White!: A True Story of the Civil Rights Movement | x | x | ||||||||||||||||||||
73 | The Girl with a Mind for Math | The true story of an African-American woman who broke barriers by reaching her potential as an engineer. When Raye Montague saw a submarine at age 7 and learned that an engineer had built it, she found her calling. Her mother told her to stay strong and not let those who looked down on her because of her race and her gender hold her back. She attended segregated schools, and in college she was told that engineering was not taught to black students, so she majored in business. She became a typist in a place where they built submarines, and although her boss underestimated her, Raye paid attention at work and took classes at night. When the flu had most of the staff out sick, Raye did the engineers’ work “from MEMORY.” She got promoted and went on to design the first ship by computer. It was not all smooth sailing, though; only white men were invited to the unveiling of the ship she had designed, and she was still treated with disrespect. The use of perspective and artful composition in the simple illustrations conveys Montague’s isolation and her determination. The text, in light rhyming verse, condemns the unfair treatment she received (“No invite?! / ABHORRIBLE!”)—a great model for building awareness of racism and solid inspiration for achieving against the odds. | x | x | |||||||||||||||||||
74 | Bo at the Buzz | ||||||||||||||||||||||
75 | The Matatu | 3-6 | Modern Kenya | Kioko had been watching the matatus come and go for as long as he could remember. But today, for his fifth birthday, he climbs aboard one with his grandfather. As the matatu pulls away from the market, the village dogs chase after them. When Kioko asks his grandfather why the dogs always bark and chase after matatus, his grandfather tells him an entertaining tale about a dog, a goat and a sheep. Set in East Africa, The Matatu is a colorful story filled with many unexpected turns and twists along the way. | x | ||||||||||||||||||
76 | The Stone Thrower | x | |||||||||||||||||||||
77 | Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: Juneteenth (End of Civil War) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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82 | Njinga of Ndongo and Matamba | *Ekiuwa Aire | Njinga of Ndongo and Matamba is the true story of a girl who had a difficult birth but went on to become the Queen of two ancient African kingdoms. Revered for her wisdom, courage, and strength, Njinga became a dominant political figure in Angola in the 1600s. This richly illustrated children’s book tells her story and the challenges she faced from the day she was born. Njinga must overcome the jealousy of her brother, the loss of her father, and the encroachment of the Portuguese at the dawn of a time of great trial for the African continent. This is the story of hope and courage that shows every young girl is capable of greatness | x | 2ND GRADE ASSURED TEXT - Love, I like the girl power, kindness & resilience | ||||||||||||||||||
83 | Boundless Grace (everyday life, modern Africa connection) | Mary Hoffman | Mary Hoffman and Caroline Binch bring their heroine to brilliant life in this charming sequel to the award-winning Amazing Grace. When Grace gets the opportunity to go to Africa and visit with her father and his new family, she feels a little strange. But Nana says families are what you make them, and Grace is going to make the most of hers! | x | 2nd grade want? - we think too young for 3rd grade | ||||||||||||||||||
84 | Princess Grace (everyday life, modern Africa connection) | Mary Hoffman | Grace is back! The girl from Amazing Grace who proved that you can be anything you want and that families are what you make them, now discovers that there's more more than one way to be a princess. Grace has the chance to be a princess in a school parade. But what does a princess do, apart from wearing beautiful clothes and looking pretty? Does she have to be pink and floaty, with a crown? Grace and her friends start finding out about princesses in China, Egypt, the Philippines and Zimbabwe - and on the day of the parade, helped by Ma and Nana, Grace's school has the most interesting float of all. As for Grace - she's a sensation! | x | 2nd grade want? - we think too young for 3rd grade | ||||||||||||||||||
85 | Amazing Grace (everyday life, modern Africa connection) | Mary Hoffman | Grace loves stories, whether they're from books, movies, or the kind her grandmother tells. So when she gets a chance to play a part in Peter Pan, she knows exactly who she wants to be. Remarkable watercolor illustrations give full expression to Grace's high-flying imagination. | x | 2nd grade want? - we think too young for 3rd grade | ||||||||||||||||||
86 | My Life in Kenya | 8-12 | Modern Kenya | Meet Esther, a 10-year-old girl living in Kenya. Follow a day in her life and discover what she has for breakfast each morning, what her favourite book is and what she wants to be when she grows up. This full-colour book has a scrapbook-style design, including photographs of Esther going about her daily routine. | x | x | Kinder: "Good We have questions about how to use this book- Is this book feeding into stereotypes about Kenyan’s living in poverty? Do we have other books as well that represent Kenyan’sliving in prosperity?" 3, 4 | ||||||||||||||||
87 | Grandpa Cacao: A Tale of Chocolate from Farm to Family | New York today, flashbacks to old West African history | As a little girl and her father bake her birthday cake together, Daddy tells the story of her Grandpa Cacao, a farmer from the Ivory Coast in West Africa. In a land where elephants roam and the air is hot and damp, Grandpa Cacao worked in his village to harvest cacao, the most important ingredient in chocolate. "Chocolate is a gift to you from Grandpa Cacao," Daddy says. "We can only enjoy chocolate treats thanks to farmers like him." Once the cake is baked, it's ready to eat, but this isn't her only birthday present. There's a special surprise waiting at the front door . . . | x | x | x | x | 2nd grade want? - don't think it makes sense for 3rd grade | |||||||||||||||
88 | Henry's Freedom Box | A stirring, dramatic story of a slave who mails himself to freedom by a Jane Addams Peace Award-winning author and a Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist. Henry Brown doesn't know how old he is. Nobody keeps records of slaves' birthdays. All the time he dreams about freedom, but that dream seems farther away than ever when he is torn from his family and put to work in a warehouse. Henry grows up and marries, but he is again devastated when his family is sold at the slave market. Then one day, as he lifts a crate at the warehouse, he knows exactly what he must do: He will mail himself to the North. After an arduous journey in the crate, Henry finally has a birthday -- his first day of freedom. | x | x | Good for 2nd grade - engaging, opens conversation | ||||||||||||||||||
89 | H is for Harlem | Dinah Johnson and April Harrison | 2022 | 5-9 | Discover the Harlem icons that have defined generations of American culture. Harlem is full of remarkable treasures, including museums, performance spaces, community centers, and more—all of which come to life in this lavish celebration of Harlem as an epicenter of African American history and a vibrant neighborhood that continues to shape our world. At once a love letter and a rich alphabetical archive, H Is for Harlem highlights communities and traditions that connect our past and present. | 2nd Grade - Good - Could we use this as inspiration to create our own for Unit 1 St. Lou-US | |||||||||||||||||
90 | A Storm Called Katrina | x | x | x | 2nd grade - This book should be used to replace a book in our Landform MySci Unit Good- could be used with 2nd grade Science Unit 1 in addition to Flood book | ||||||||||||||||||
91 | Marvelous Cornelius | 2nd grade- great for connection if we use Katriina for Flood unit Flood unit | |||||||||||||||||||||
92 | Enough! 20 Protestors Who Changed America | x | x | x | 2nd grade LOVE - great diversity representation; Unit 1 connection to citizens; Unit 2 connections to laws made & changed | ||||||||||||||||||
93 | The Fair Housing Five | x | x | x | 2nd grade - Good for Unit 1- to use parts from this book- too long for read aloud | ||||||||||||||||||
94 | We Shall Overcome | W | x | x | 2nd GRADE - LOVE - Unit 3 Poetry - song analysis & connection to poetry in tandem with Unit 3 on global | ||||||||||||||||||
95 | The Rain Stomper | PE | x | maybe for 2nd grade? - poetry unit? | |||||||||||||||||||
96 | Let the Children March | x | x | 2nd Grade - LOVE for Unit 1 & 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
97 | Sit-In: How 4 Friends Stood Up | x | x | 2nd grade Love | |||||||||||||||||||
98 | Wangari Maathai: Million Trees | 6-9 | Modern Kenya | Wangari Maathai changed the way the world thinks about nature, ecology, freedom, and democracy, inspiring radical efforts that continue to this day.This simply told story begins with Green Belt Movement founder Wangari Maathai’s childhood at the foot of Mount Kenya where, as the oldest child in her family, her responsibility was to stay home and help her mother. When the chance to go to school presented itself, she seized it with both hands. She traveled to the US to study, where she saw that even in the land of the free, black people were not welcome. Returning home, Wangari was determined to help her people and her country. She recognized that deforestation and urbanization was at the root of her country’s troubles. Her courage and confidence carried her through adversity to found a movement for peace, reconciliation, and healing. Aurélia Fronty’s beautiful illustrations show readers the color and diversity of Wangari’s Africa—the green trees and the flowering trees full of birds, monkeys, and other animals; the roots that dig deep into the earth; and the people who work and live on the land. | x | ||||||||||||||||||
99 | Uptown | Bryan Collier | |||||||||||||||||||||
100 | One of Three | Angela Johnson | |||||||||||||||||||||