Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood
Bluebonnet Book 2013-2014
Which readers? 3rd grade and up
In the summer of 1964, Glory's hometown of Hanging Moss, MS decides to close the public pool rather than allow it to be desegregated. Civil Rights organizers from the North appear in town, and Glory becomes friends with the children of one of the visitors. Throughout this tense summer, Glory's friendship and family ties will be tested as the community goes through upheaval.
This is a title for the youngest readers on the Bluebonnet List (3rd grade), and it paints a picture of this time through the eyes of a young Southern white girl. Many of Glory's observations about the annoyances of the pool being closed are somewhat self-centered, but I think it is an accurate portrayal of what a twelve year old would experience at that time. This is a good choice for third or fourth grade.
The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine
Which readers? Strong 4th grade readers and up
Set in Little Rock in 1958, this wonderful selection tells the story of two girls who decide to take great risks to keep their friendship alive. This story takes place just a year after the Little Rock Nine integrated Little Rock High School, and the high school has been closed for the year while the elementaries and middles schools remain open. Marlee is twelve, and she has difficulty speaking in public and making friends. When she returns to school in the fall, she is quickly befriended by Liz, the new girl at school. Liz even convinces her to participate in an oral presentation. Suddenly, Liz disappears from school, and the rumor is that she was a negro passing as a white person. Marlee is so thrilled to have finally made a friend that she puts both of them in great danger by seeking out Liz so that their friendship can continue.
This is one of my favorite books that I have read in the last few months. The characters are well-developed, there is tension but humor in the story, and Levine does a fanstastic job of weaving in both historical and narrative elements.
One little book nerd point of interest is how the publisher has chosen to change the cover of this book from the publication of the hardback to the recently released paper back. The top image is the hardback. The symbolism of the black and white doves soaring around the fence that surrounds Little Rock HS really appeals to me as an adult who has had many history classes, but I think the paperback cover with the interracial hand holding will get more kids to pick up this book.
For old times' sake, here are some of my favorite suggestions for Black History Month from years past.
This is an absolutely BREATHTAKING picture book from 2002. I think it would be an excellent read-aloud all the way through middle school. After reading the book, I would pull up footage of Marian Anderson singing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Oh, there are no other words except breathtaking. This book won an ALA Sibert Award and the 2003 NCTE Orbis Pictus.
For more advanced readers, Freedman's biography of Anderson is wonderful. This one was awarded the Sibert AND a Newbery Honor. Love this book.
MLK: Journey of a King by Bolden is the best MLK biography for kids I have ever read that is not a picture book. For younger readers, it could be excerpted with pictures shown to students. There are many pictures in this book, and they really bring MLK's life into the classroom. This book won the 2008 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award, which is my favorite nonfiction award for kids. There are so many fabulous titles on that list. It is a treasure trove.
I recommend Martin's Big Words for preschoolers and up. It won so many awards that I won't even list them all! This book brings King's vision alive through emphasizing his words without overwhelming children with the details of his life story.
The Story of Ruby Bridges (preschool and up) and Through My Eyes (3rd grade + ) are amazing selections for telling this woman's remarkable story.
Ruth and the Green Book by Ramsey was on last year's Bluebonnet List, and this is a part of history that I did not know! It tells the story of a black family who needs to travel into the segregated South, and they find out that there is a "Green Book" that will tell them places along the way that will serve and sell to blacks. Fabulous story for all ages.
And, finally, I will come back to historical fiction for my final suggestion. When I taught sixth grade language arts, one of the highlights of my year was when we read Taylor's Newbery Medal winner, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. This book is timeless, and it gives middle grade readers lots to think about and discuss in the classroom.
This is what it looked like when I first read it in middle school years ago.
This book has had so many covers. This is what it looks like now. They have updated it recently to a textured mustard yellow with a brown strip at the bottom and no graphics. I think it gives it the "I'm a classic, and I don't have anything to prove." look.
No comments:
Post a Comment