Tag: enslavement
Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom
Written by: Carole Boston Weatherford Illustrated by: Michele Wood For ages: 9 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: Historical Figures, Enslavement, Own Voices, Black Culture & Identity. Summary: It’s Juneteenth! As white folx, today is a day for reflection and continued learning. Unfortunately, I don’t have any of the wonderful Juneteenth books that exist in the world in…
The Undefeated
Written by: Kwame Alexander Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson For ages: 7 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: Black Identity & Culture, Resilience, Trailblazers, History, Oppression, Enslavement. Summary: Honestly, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to review The Undefeated. It’s beautiful and powerful and required reading. For #sweetsandsocialjustice this week I’ve paired some baked donuts and the oh-so-trendy whipped coffee (seriously…
Enough! 20 Protestors Who Changed America
Written by: Emily Easton Illustrated by: Ziyue Chen For ages: 4 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: American History, Activism, Historical Figures, Courage, Segregation, Enslavement, Sports, Environmentalism. Summary: This book opens with an Author’s Note talking about her inspiration to write the book. Emily’s young cousins had been in a school shooting a few weeks before the devastating event…
Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream
Written by: Blair Imani, Foreword by Patrisse Cullors (BLM Co-Founder) Illustrated by: Rachelle Baker For ages: YA Middle Grades, 12 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: Black Culture & Identity, American History, Enslavement, Reconstruction, Historical Figures, Family, Politics, Love. Summary: This book is meticulously researched and fascinating! Author Blair Imani takes readers on a journey through the American history that…
The Escape of Robert Smalls: A Daring Voyage Out of Slavery
Written by: Jehan Jones-Radgowski Illustrated by: Poppy Kang For ages: 9-13 years Language: English Topics Covered: Enslavement, Historical Figure, Historical Events, Abolition, POC-Centric Narratives, Resilience, Strength, Own Voices. Summary: This book is phenomenal. Robert Smalls was an enslaved man that was able to hold a job away from the person that enslaved him. Because of this, he worked on a ship…
Ona Judge Outwits the Washingtons: An Enslaved Woman Fights for Freedom
Written by: Gwendolyn Hooks Illustrated by: Simone Agoussoye For ages: 9-12 years old Language: English Topics Covered: Enslavement, Historical Figures, Historical Events, POC-Centric Narratives, Black Culture & Identity, American History. Summary: Ona Judge is a woman enslaved by George Washington. Yes, that George Washington. Ona is very intelligent, and in moving around with the Washingtons to various cities, she becomes aware that she could…
Schomburg: The Man Who Built A Library
Written by: Carole Boston Weatherford Illustrated by: Eric Velasquez For ages: 8-12 years old, or a confident reading level. Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Historical Fiction, Historic Figures, Literacy, Trailblazers, Afro-Puerto Rican Figures, Professional Life, Schomburg Library. Summary: This book was sent to us by Candlewick Press, but all opinions are our own! This book is hefty! It is crammed with information about…
Freedom over me; Eleven slaves, their lives and dreams brought to life
Written & Illustrated by: Ashley Bryan For ages: 10-12 years (grades 4-6) Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Enslavement, Enslaved People, Historical Figures, Historical Events, Poetry, Historic Narratives, Narratives of Enslavement. Summary: This book is comprised of poems telling the stories of 11 enslaved people. Records of these individuals were found in a historical document owned by the author himself, who…
Henry’s Freedom Box, A True Story from the Underground Railroad
Written by: Ellen Levine Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson For ages: 7 years and up Language: English Topics Covered: POC-Centric Narratives, Enslavement, Underground Railroad, Historical Figures, Historical Fiction, Family, Friendship, Abolition. Summary: This book is heart wrenching. Very little happens in this story that is positive besides gaining freedom, and it gives a very real look at Henry’s life while being enslaved. There are…