Kids' Corner

2008 Black History Month

February is Black History Month.  Over the past year, a number of excellent children’s books  dealing with the subject have been published; listed below are some of them.  Also, take a look at the display in the children’s room -  you’re sure to find something you’ll like.

George Washington Carver  by Tonya Bolden
The newest biography of  “The Peanut Man” (1864-1934), who started as a slave and orphan.  He became a scientist, and created hundreds of unexpected products from everyday plants.  For grades 3 – 6

Night Running:  How James Escaped with the Help of his Faithful Dog  by Elisa Carbone
Based on a true story from 1838, this tells of young James Smith’s escape from
a slave owner in Virginia.  For ages 4 – 8

Playing to Win:  The Story of Althea Gibson  by Karen Deans
Born to sharecroppers in South Carolina in 1927, Gibson grew up in Harlem and
went on to become a world famous tennis player.  For  K – grade 3

Wind Flyers  by  Angela Johnson
A brief, lovely tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen-  the African American pilots who flew
in World War II.     For ages 4 – 8

Henry’s Freedom Box  by Ellen Levine
Based on the true story of  an escaped slave in 1849, who mailed himself to freedom, this was named a 2008 Caldecott Honor book.  For grades 2 – 5

We Are the Ship:  The Story of Negro League Baseball  by Kadir Nelson
From the 1920’s to 1974 these unsung heroes dealt with segregation, low pay, and dreadful conditions in order to play ball.  The amazing oil paintings bring the text to life. For ages 8 – 12

An Apple for Harriet Tubman  by Glennette Turner
This relates a childhood experience of the woman who became the greatest “conductor” of slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad.   For grades 1 – 4

I, Matthew Henson:  Polar Explorer   by Carole Weatherford
The only American to reach the North Pole with Admiral Robert E. Peary in 1909, Henson overcame poverty,  discrimination, and hardship.  For ages 6 – 11

Muhammad Ali:  Champion of the World  by Jonah Winter
This picture book biography of the heavyweight boxing champion born Cassius Clay focuses on his first match with Sonny Liston in  1964 and his fight with George Foreman in 1974.  For ages 4 – 10

Happy Reading!
Ellen Xydias
Children’s Librarian