Category: Black Lives

Facing Your Fears

4/20/2022

The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown read by Bahni Turpin

Celeste has never overcome her fear of swimming. This twelve-year-old tried lessons but failed miserably. Now her phobia takes on mammoth proportions when she and her brother spend a week at her grandparents’ house. Their home features access to a lake!

In addition to Celeste's fear of the water, she soon discovers that her grandparents’ home is haunted. There is a flickering light in an empty room, an unseen hand touching her shoulder, a relative’s face appearing in the mirror, and unexplained shattering glass.
When Celeste sees a photograph of her great aunt, she is shocked to discover she looks just like her Great Aunt Ellie. She suspects that her aunt may be the ghost. When she asks her grandparents about her aunt, they say little to alleviate Celeste’s worries. Instead, they reassure their granddaughter that Ellie never did and never would never hurt anyone.

Listen to a sample of the audiobook.

Celeste is terrified. Her fear of swimming is now compounded by paranormal phenomena . This family vacation is becoming a nightmare. What does the spirit want? Why do her grandparents seem oblivious to is this other-worldly apparition? Celeste searches for answers and tries to protect herself and her family from this ghost.

With each eerie manifestation, Brown ratchets up the tension. Readers will emphasize with Celeste when she makes a panic-stricken call to her parents stating I want to go home. Now!

Caring adults come to the rescue, identifying individual fears and teaching youngsters lessons from history.

Eventually the children learn a reason for the fear of swimming. This dates to segregation practices in the United States when Blacks were not permitted to swim in "white's only" public swimming facilities. These policies prevented youngsters from learning to swim and exacerbated fear of swimming pools.

Turpin's narration, with individual voicing for each character brings the tale to life. She skillful reveals the progression of Celeste's mindset from uncertainty and puzzlement to a full-on panic attack in this audio performance.

The Girl in the Lake, a spine-tingling tale of facing fear and learning lessons from the past.

Know When to Hold. When to Fold.

3/30/2022

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Playing the Cards You're Dealt
by Varian Johnson read by Dion Graham

Johnson and Graham deliver in Spades

Anthony Joplin has been dealt a tough hand. He’s short. Hence the nickname Ant. He wants to play in the community Spades tournament, but his partner dropped out. Ant’s only option is a girl. She's a shrewd card player. But she's a girl!
However, he has a more pressing problem: his father is addicted to gambling and alcohol. Ant finds dad staying up all night, playing online poker and taking swigs of some mystery liquid in a red plastic cup. His first reaction is to ignore and rationalize his father’s behavior, then to make excuses and try to protect his dad.

He is torn. When is silence the wrong response? Is keeping his father's addictions secret the act of a loyal son? Would talking to his mother about his father be a betrayal?

Listen to an audio clip.

Ant's older brother discloses a crucial moment in Ant's childhood that demonstrates the extent of his father's illness. His mother and brother remain a constant support. While they love Ant's father, they cannot condone his behavior.

The heart of the story is a boy’s emerging realization that addiction is tearing a huge hole in the fabric of his family. Ant must come to terms with his father’s addictions. Can you love someone when trust is broken?

Johnson delivers another middle grade story brimming with a cast of characters so real they seem jump off the pages. His characteristic wry sense of humor shines as Ant faces playground taunts, overly-attentive parents, a first crush, and sibling rivalry. This ten-year-old learns that his upstanding mother who cannot cook, his high-achieving brother, and surprisingly, the girl who trounced him at Spades have his back. Always.

The audiobook edition of Playing With the Cards You’re Dealt received the 2022 Audie Award for Middle Grade. Graham delivers a masterful performance. Each character has a unique voice, revealing a distinct personality from the mother dealing with a critical blow to the stability of her family, a kind older brother, a father struggling with addiction, to venerable ten-year-old Ant.

Graham’s narrative skills are consistent throughout the narrative. Pacing is superb. Of special note is the voice of Roland, Ant’s father. While the father’s voice remains in character, there is a noticeable change in the delivery as he slides deeper into the world of alcoholism. When Roland is intoxicated, enmeshed in gambling, or caught in a lie, Graham infuses the voice with an attempt at smooth talking that devolves into hostility and belligerence.
Playing With the Cards You're Dealt covers a lot of territory: Johnson neatly weaves contemporary middle school life with heart wrenching effects of addiction. It’s winning combination.

Electronic copy accessed via Audible.

Pub date: October 5, 2021 Publisher: Scholastic Inc. ISBN: 978-1338780949

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Fast and Fashionable

12/28/2021

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She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner
by Rita Williams-Garcia & Chelsea Clinton art by Alexandra Boiger & Gillian Flint

Today is her birthday. Now she is eight years old.
Here's the amazing thing about her. She naturally runs like a gazelle.
Her body seems to traverse distances fluidly and effortlessly. And she is fast. So fast.

What do you give her for birthday gift? The answer is obvious: a biography of Florence Griffith Joyner. This slim volume is part of She Persisted, a series for young readers chronicling the lives of women who have made a significant contribution to world events.

Williams-Garcia's narrative is chock full of fascinating details. As a child, Florence was called Dee Dee. The young girl chased jackrabbits near her home in the Mojave Desert. Later, she won one silver and three gold medals in the 1988 Olympics.

Bonus materials include an introduction by Chelsea Clinton, a list of references, and eight suggestions by the author on "How You Can Persist." Some suggestions are "Push yourself to try something new." "Make your own creations." and "Engage in some fun physical activity for at least fifteen minutes or more each day."

Listen to a sample of the audiobook edition read by Janina Edwards.

She Persisted: More Amazing Individuals

This series presents a variety of women who have made significant contributions to the fields of activism, education, government, literature, performing arts, research, science, and sports. Young Ruby Bridges and Malala are also profiled.
The 5.31 x 7.63 inch size fits neatly in a small hand. Brief chapters, and engaging illustrations make this an excellent choice for young readers.

Inspire a new generation with this collection of accessible biographies. Recommended for classroom, school and public libraries. Also an excellent resource for organizations that empower children.

Copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: June 29, 2021 Publisher: Philomel Books ISBN: 978-0593115961

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Grand Ideas Told with Few Words

11/10/2021

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African Proverbs for All Ages
collected by Johnnetta Betsch Cole and Nelda LaTeef ill by Nelda LaTeef

Like the turtle, each one of us must stick out our neck if we want to go forward.

The vibrant and expansive legacy of African literature is beginning to be recognized and celebrated. Case in
point: anthropologist and educator Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole collaborated with author and illustrator Nelda LaTeef for this collection of African Proverbs for All Ages.

The compilation is organized thematically. A single painting with four accompanying proverbs illustrates such concepts as education, relationships, happiness, knowledge, experience, home, and family.
Book design allows readers to consider a general concept from several points of view. A map helps readers identify each proverb's country of origin.

LaTeef's detailed illustrations of scenes from nature and village life employ a colorful palette. Faces and body language reflect joy, determination, cooperation, and respect.

Whether you are young or old, proverbs can open your mind to a whole new way of seeing the world. We underestimate children when we assume they are incapable of understanding metaphor and deeper meaning. There are multiple ways that children learn, but for each method by which they learn, they need their imagination engaged and their visual sensibilities ignited. And as adults, we underestimate ourselves when we allow our lives to be about practical matters only. Proverbs can stir our soul and spark our imagination. --Johnnetta Betsch Cole

This Oprah book selection powerfully demonstrates the universal appeal of folk wisdom. Words and images combine for a rich reading experience that can be savored alone or shared with a group. An excellent addition to home, classroom, school, and public libraries. Readers young and old will delight in discovering these timeless truisms.

Electronic copy accessed via publisher.

Pub date: November 30, 2021 Publisher: Roaring Brook Press ISBN: 978-1250756060

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Past Present Future

11/5/2021

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We Overcome Shall Overcome by Bryan Collier

She’s dressed in yellow, proudly displaying a peace symbol on a fresh green leaf. Collier’s extraordinary picture book pays homage to the past, illuminates the present, and inspires hope for the future. Text is based on the gospel song which became a Civil Rights anthem.

We Shall Overcome opens with a young girl rising to begin a new day. Readers follow her as she leaves her home, walking through the community before boarding a bus bound for school. She travels against a backdrop of historic figures and sites shown in shades of black and gray. The nameless faces of countless individuals can be seen within each step she takes. The message is clear: people and events from the past determine where she will go, what she can do, who she will become.

One of the most touching scenes takes place on the bus. Rosa Parks sits alone on the bus. The page turn features a a closeup of several hands clasped together. People united, no longer separated or excluded.

Back matter offers rich resources including the history of the song "We Shall Overcome," background information on several seminal moments in the Civil Rights Movement: 16th Street Baptist Church, Rosa Parks on the bus in 1955, the Little Rock Central High School, and the Black Lives Matter Mural. A brief description of the artist's process eloquently expresses the message of justice, equality and peace. Compelling message. Powerful book.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: December 28, 2021 Publisher: Orchard Books ISBN: 978-1338540376

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Classic Remix: Little Women

10/30/2021

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More to the Story by Hena Khan

Louisa May Alcott's 1868 classic tale of sisters gets updated with these retellings that feature four siblings with unique personalities and interests, a hardworking mother, and a modest home filled with love. Khan and Morrow give this framework fresh settings and perspective, resulting in new stories to tell.

More to the Story introduces a Pakistani-American family of girls ages 10 through 16 who negotiate the challenges of a contemporary family life in Atlanta.

Seventh grader Jameela and her sisters Maryam, Bisma, and Aleeza miss their father who must temporarily work overseas. The narrative’s dynamic shifts slightly when teenage Ali, the son of a family friend, moves into town. When Jam decides to feature Ali in an article for the school newspaper, she faces a question of journalistic ethics.

A major plot point centers around Bisma's cancer diagnosis and treatment. The effects of a serious illness are accurately described without excessive technical details and medical jargon.

Khan seamlessly blends Muslim life, including religious observance, food, and customs into the narrative. A heartwarming story.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 3, 2019 Publisher: Salaam Reads ISBN: 978-1481492096

So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix
by Bethany C. Morrow read by Adenrele Ojo

So Many Beginnings is a stunning reimagining of Little Women that starts with Alcott's early 1860's time period and then fashions an entirely new tale, deftly weaving in often-overlooked aspects of American history. The March family resides in the Freedpeople's Colony of Roanoke Island, working to build a free society for formerly enslaved individuals.

Morrow's characters are intelligent women with lofty goals. Meg is a teacher who hopes to marry. Joanna dreams of becoming an author but by day works alongside construction crews, building homes in the colony. Bethlehem is a skilled seamstress and designer who wants to develop an African-based clothing enterprise. Talented dancer Amethyst earns accolades as a performer. The sisters encounter both overt and subtle forms of racism and gender inequality as they pursue personal and professional ambitions.

Listen to a sample

Audio copy accessed via Net Galley

Release date: September 7, 2021 Publisher: Macmillan Audio

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Africans Who Shaped Our World

9/17/2021

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African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History
by Tracey Baptiste art by Hillary D. Wilson

"the history of Africa is...the longest of anywhere on Earth."

Baptiste is a master storyteller with a solid background as the author of numerous informational books for young readers. All her skills come into play with African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History, the collected biographies of individuals who had a significant impact on African and the world civilization.
Each featured person is introduced with a brief description of geography and setting, followed by a full-page portrait with a name pronunciation guide. These segments neatly segue the biographical profiles from one time period to a succeeding moment in history.
Some of the featured individuals: Imhotep, Aesop, and Hannibal Barca are familiar historical figures. Others are less well known.

Information is presented in such vibrant detail that the narrative takes on a multidimensional quality.

Baptiste’s extensive research reveals fascinating insights into the lives of four influential women: Merneith, Amanirenas, Tin Hinan, and Queen Idia. Readers are introduced to: the mother who served as a regent and facilitated the transfer of power from father to son, the warrior queen who fed prisoners to her pet lion and negotiated the Roman retreat from her country, a queen with a disability who founded a thriving city in the desert, a woman skilled in medical and mystic arts who ensured that her son learn Portuguese to facilitate diplomatic negotiations without a translator.
Thank you, Tracey. We need more stories about historically significant women.

Of interest to librarians is the chapter titled “Libraries in the Sands.” Readers will learn that scholarship in sixteenth century Timbuktu was legendary. Library collections consisted of a wealth of information on a vast array of topics as well as literary works. Books were handwritten on paper made from linen or fish skins and richly embellished with designs and illustrations.

Back matter includes: Culture Lost description of innovative, intellectual, and artistic accomplishments originating in Africa that were erased by European colonization, an Author’s Note, extensive Source Notes organized by chapter topics, a lengthy Bibliography, suggestions for Further Exploration, an Index, and a Designer’s Note. The depth and breadth of the author’s research is impressive.

This slim volume is an essential addition to public, school, and classroom libraries, filling an often-neglected historical, geographical, and sociological information gap. My advice: If library funds are limited and it becomes necessary to limit purchases, put this book on the “must purchase” list.

Meet the Creators

“here is to Africa achieving the stature that it deserves to have…” Kai Krause

Author

Artist

Graphic Designer

Baptiste is the author the best-selling Jumbies series. Stories are expertly paced, building to a thrilling climax. Complex characters, cinema graphic settings, and intriguing story lines are hallmarks of her work.

Wilson, a professionally trained medical illustrator (Johns Hopkins School of Medicine) brings her considerable skills to this authoritative work. Each portrait conveys the unique demeanor and physical characteristics of its subject.

Kai Krause is German software and graphical user interface designer. He is credited with creating a map of Africa that more accurately depicts the immense size of this content. Read his description of The True Size of Africa.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 19, 2021 Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers ISBN: 978-1616209001

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Sea Spirits

9/3/2021

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Josephine Against the Sea by Shakirah Bourne

It is best not to make trouble with a sea spirit...

I thought Josephine Against the Sea would be a simple story of a girl learning to accept her father's interest in women following the death of his wife. But there is more going on here. A lot more.

Josephine, affectionally called Bean, is a girl who knows her own mind and is determined to get what she wants. This girl has a serious attitude. That's attitude with a capital A. She loves to play cricket. However she is no longer allowed to play because of an acccident two years ago. Bean hopes to redeem herself, proving to the coach and her father that she belongs on the team. Daddy has his doubts.
This eleven-year-old is very possessive and resents any woman inserting herself into this father/daughter relationship. She often resorts to devious tricks to send away any potential girlfriend.

Josephine meets her match when her father dates Mariss, who is one step ahead of Josephine, outsmarting her at every turn. Mockingly referring to her boyfriend's daughter as "Josie Sweets," Mariss moves in and begins to take control of the entire family.

Josephine is stunned by the change in her father. He is obviously trapped under an evil enchantment. She realizes that Mariss is a Sea Mumma, a water monster with the face and torso of a woman that spirals down into a slithering snake tail. It is up Bean to dive into the deep and fight this evil Carribean spirit.

In a high stakes, nail-biting finish Josephine must brave a violent storm, locate her father trapped in an underwater cave, confront an raging Mariss, and free her father. When all her efforts fail and it seems that hope is lost, Josephine comes through with her own powerful weapon. She uses her cricket-playing skills to defeat the Sea Mumma and release her father from the spell. Shakirah Bourne's middle-grade novel will bewitch readers with its fascinating characters, humor, and a boatload of Caribbean folklore.

Caribbean Magic

Meet Corrine, another young Caribbean who must face danger and outwit a water spirit.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: July 6, 2021 Publisher: Scholastic Inc ISBN: 978-1338642087

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Let Freedom Ring

7/22/2021

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All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom
by Angela Johnson art by E. B. Lewis

And nobody knew, as the sun was rising, that soon it would be all different.

All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom takes a fresh approach to the story of Juneteenth, a United States federal holiday celebrating African American freedom and achievement.

Johnson, recipient of several Coretta Scott King Awards and a MacArthur Fellow, sets her story in a Texas community, when the day begins like every other day. People rise early, preparing to toil in the cotton fields. Gradually, word of the Emancipation Proclamation spreads throughout Texas, eventually reaching a young girl and her family. The narrative builds momentum as the day unfolds.

Immediately the family gathers to share news of freedom with spontaneous celebrations. This declaration of freedom marks a turning point for formerly enslaved people. Life will be forever changed.

Evocative illustrations by multiple award-winning (Coretta Scott King, ALA Notable, Caldecott Awards) Lewis convey emotions with body language and facial expressions. His use of light is particularly noteworthy. The book opens with light streaming through an open window, illuminating the face of a young girl. A family group remains in shadow as they prepare for a day of grueling labor. Flames from an oceanside bonfire highlight girls joyously dancing and singing against the nighttime sky. The cotton fields remain in shadow.

Back matter includes a wealth of resources including: an Author's Note, Illustrator's Note, Timeline of Important Events, Juneteenth Then and Now, Online Sources, and Key Terms.

Poetic language and exquisite art make this an excellent choice for story time. Value will be added to the experience by including background information and extension activities, teaching youngsters the legacy of this historic event. Thanks Black Children's Books and Authors for a complimentary copy.

Join in the Celebration

Juneteenth for Mazie

Juneteenth Jamboree

Curated list of suggested books.

Meaning of the Juneteen flag.

Copy provided by Black Children's Books and Authors, Inc.

Pub date: May 6, 2021 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers ISBN: 978-0689873768

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Jane Austen Remix

5/27/2021

1 Comment

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a popular classic with witty commentary on society, expectations and romance is an interesting starting point for a retelling. Example: GoodReads lists 440 adaptations, variations, and continuations of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Several of these stories are available in audiobook format. Pop in the earbuds and chill with two engaging reimaginings of a timeless rom-com.

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix
by Ibi Zoboi read by Elizabeth Acevedo

Well, there goes the neighborhood!
Zuri Benitez is appalled when wealthy Darius Darcy and his family move into her predominantly African American/Latino working class community.

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix maintains several elements of Austen's novel: five sisters, a scoundrel who initially appears charming, a family with an uncertain financial future, and a younger sister who makes a troubling choice.

Zoboi sets this version in a contemporary urban environment with a sensory-rich description of life in Bushwick and the Haitian-Dominican culture. Zuri also confronts racism, gentrification, and stereotyping. The expectation of higher education for students of color is a welcome addition and includes a nice shoutout to Howard University.

Listen to a sample.

This refreshing adaptation with numerous misunderstandings, awkward situations, and heartbreak eventually arrives at a satisfying conclusion. No one will walk down the aisle, but there is mutual attraction and admiration.

Acevedo's narration is spot-on, injecting the text with an intonation and rhythm which brings the story to life.

Audiobook accessed via Hoopla.

Release date: September 18, 2018 Publisher: Harper Audio

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price read by Morag Sims

What happens when the daughter of a barrister decides to solve a murder? Welcome to the 19th century world of Lizzie Bennett. Price and Premeditation is a mystery that preserves Austen's setting and cast of characters along with several of their idiosyncrasies.

Price moves the story away from Longbourn and to the law firm of Mr. Bennett. He employs Lizzie, Charlotte, and the odious Mr. Collins who does little work but takes all the credit. Lizzie hopes to expand her role from quietly working behind the scenes to taking an active role in a case of murder.

To her dismay, she learns that haughty Fitzwilliam Darcy will be representing the defendant. Undaunted, Lizzie soldiers on: interviewing witnesses, uncovering evidence, and eventually trying the case before a judge. While this aspect of the story is historically inaccurate, it fits neatly with her personality.

Listen to a sample.

This tale of manners takes a modern twist, focusing on women's empowerment. Lizzie's jurisprudential skill and courage are admired by her father and Mr. Darcy. Her future as a barrister seems assured. However, Miss Bennett has a mind of her own and surprises everyone with an interesting decision about her prospects.

Sims' uses a variety of speech patterns to distinguish various characters, while retaining her "proper" British narration.

Audiobook accessed via NetGalley.

Release date: April 6, 2021 Publisher: Harper Audio

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<<Previous

Facing Your Fears

The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown read by Bahni Turpin

More Ghost Stories

Know When to Hold. When to Fold.

Playing the Cards You're Dealt
by Varian Johnson read by Dion Graham

Fast and Fashionable

She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner
by Rita Williams-Garcia & Chelsea Clinton art by Alexandra Boiger & Gillian Flint

She Persisted: More Amazing Individuals

Grand Ideas Told with Few Words

African Proverbs for All Ages
collected by Johnnetta Betsch Cole and Nelda LaTeef ill by Nelda LaTeef

Past Present Future

We Overcome Shall Overcome by Bryan Collier

Classic Remix: Little Women

More to the Story by Hena Khan

So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix
by Bethany C. Morrow read by Adenrele Ojo

Africans Who Shaped Our World

African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History
by Tracey Baptiste art by Hillary D. Wilson

Meet the Creators

Author

Artist

Graphic Designer

Sea Spirits

Josephine Against the Sea by Shakirah Bourne

Caribbean Magic

Let Freedom Ring

All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom
by Angela Johnson art by E. B. Lewis

Join in the Celebration

Jane Austen Remix

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix
by Ibi Zoboi read by Elizabeth Acevedo

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price read by Morag Sims

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown read by Bahni Turpin

More Ghost Stories

Playing the Cards You're Dealt ​by Varian Johnson read by Dion Graham

She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner​by Rita Williams-Garcia & Chelsea Clinton art by Alexandra Boiger & Gillian Flint

She Persisted: More Amazing Individuals

African Proverbs for All Ages collected by Johnnetta Betsch Cole and Nelda LaTeef ill by Nelda LaTeef

We Overcome Shall Overcome by Bryan Collier

More to the Story by Hena Khan

So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix ​by Bethany C. Morrow read by Adenrele Ojo

African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History​by Tracey Baptiste art by Hillary D. Wilson

Meet the Creators

Author

Artist

Graphic Designer

Josephine Against the Sea by Shakirah Bourne

Caribbean Magic

All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedomby Angela Johnson art by E. B. Lewis

Join in the Celebration

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remixby Ibi Zoboi read by Elizabeth Acevedo

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price read by Morag Sims

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Playing the Cards You're Dealt
by Varian Johnson read by Dion Graham

She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner
by Rita Williams-Garcia & Chelsea Clinton art by Alexandra Boiger & Gillian Flint

African Proverbs for All Ages
collected by Johnnetta Betsch Cole and Nelda LaTeef ill by Nelda LaTeef

So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix
by Bethany C. Morrow read by Adenrele Ojo

African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History
by Tracey Baptiste art by Hillary D. Wilson

All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom
by Angela Johnson art by E. B. Lewis

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix
by Ibi Zoboi read by Elizabeth Acevedo