Now that February is over, I'd like to share all of the incredible books that the kids and I read together to celebrate Black History Month! There are people that question whether there should be a time designated each year to honor and celebrate select groups of minorities in this country, as there is not just one month to honor and celebrate the majority race in this country. I understand both sides of the argument, but although we've read most of the following books in the past at different times over the years, it was enjoyable to have a month-long focus on reading about important African Americans in our country's history.
We started our journey back in January, on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We watched a video of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech on YouTube while simultaneously viewing this book. I held it above our laptop screen so that we could see both at the same time. It was powerful. The illustrations in this book were created by various highly acclaimed Black artists known throughout the children's book industry, each illustrating a section of Dr. King's most famous speech. This is a beautiful book.
After talking about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and learning more about the civil rights movement, I decided to take us back to the days of slavery in the 1800s, prior to the Civil War. (Our kids are already familiar with the history of the beginnings of slavery in our country, so I didn't need to go that far back.) The following six books I did not read in chronological order, but since I wish that I had, that is how I will share them with you.
Night Running is based on a true story of a young boy from Virginia who planned to run away. He was tired of being a slave, and longed to be free. For fear of him making too much noise, his faithful companion Zeus would have to be left behind, but the dog would have none of that. Throughout the escape, Zeus proved himself useful again and again. In the end the two escaped together, making it across the Ohio River to live a free life. The year was 1938. Details about James Smith's life are included in the back of the book.
Growing up on a plantation, regularly observing (and eventually receiving) the cruelty doled out to those all around him, Frederick Douglass always wondered why things were as they were. With a fierce determination and a spirit that would not break, he endured the hardship of slavery day in and day out. While recovering from an intense beating at the age of 17, Frederick vowed never to have the slave mentality again. He defended himself from then on, and eventually escaped to the North in 1938 at the age of 21.
This is a touching story of a grandmother sharing about her life growing up as a slave along with her brother, their role in the Underground Railroad, and how they eventually, yet separately, became free. Although a piece of realistic fiction, this book is a wonderful way to introduce the Underground Railroad to elementary-aged children, especially with the informative author's note in the back explaining what it was and what the patterns meant on the Freedom Quilts.
Harriet Tubman was a remarkably brave woman, and this is the fictionalized account of her spiritual journey to lead her people to freedom (just as Moses led the Israelites.) As a woman of faith myself, I found it to be an incredibly moving and inspiring story to share with our children. It is gorgeously illustrated by Kadir Nelson and includes information in the back about Harriet's life.
A triumphant story of bravery, this book is based on the real life account of Robert Small's escape to freedom by steering a Confederate ship into Union hands. The length of this book would have me recommend it for upper elementary students, yet our six year old remained attentive. The back of the book contains information about Robert's life from his escape through his death.
Out of all of the books we read about slavery, this is the book that had the greatest impact on us. Powerfully written in free-form verse, it tells the fictional story of a boy and his family and their never-ending hope despite their hardships. It's also a quiet tribute to Abraham Lincoln and the life-altering changes he made in this country.
Our journey continued with the following books:
 Based on the true story of Bob Lemmons, a former slave who became known throughout the Wild West as one of the best horse trackers. |  This story is based on the life of Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman, the first African American female to become a licensed pilot. It's told from the perspective of twenty different people from Bessie's past, each sharing memories at her wake. The kids and I loved the "voice" that author Nikki Grimes created for each person. |
 A young boy has dreams of becoming a professional golf player at a time when golf was strictly a "White man's sport." With the mentoring of a seasoned and kind caddy who is also Black, the boy learns to play under the cover of night. |  This is such an empowering story for young girls with big dreams, but also just a fantastic story of perseverance for all children! It's based on the true story of Marcenia Lyle, who went on to become the first female baseball player on a professional all-male baseball team. |
 An inspiring fictional story about a young Black man going to school with his brothers at an all-White school. His incredible typing skills and quiet determination grudgingly proved to their community that equality among the races is a reality.  It was so interesting to read how Black jockeys were the norm from the mid-1600s until the turn of the century, when White men overtook the sport. This story is based on the life of Jimmy Winkfield who became a legend in horse-racing due to his fierce determination and incredible skill. |  Tony Medina tells the story of famous poet Langston Hughes through captivating poetry of his own. I love the last line in the book which encapsulates Langston's attitude throughout life: "You can sit and sulk, suck your teeth and sigh, or love and laugh and live life by and by."  This is based on the inspiring true story of Peg Leg Bates, a man who lost part of his leg in an accident as a boy, but who broke through racial and ability discrimination to become a dancing sensation! |
There are so many more great books we could have read and want to read, and I will be putting them up slowly on my database as the year goes on! Happy Reading!
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