This section is broken down into the following categories:
Fiction; Nonfiction; and Poetry
The Stuff of Stars
by
Through poetic text, Newbery Honoree Bauer takes readers from the trillionth of a second when the universe was born to the singularities that became each one of us, while vivid illustrations by Caldecott Honoree Holmes capture the void before the Big Bang and the ensuing life that burst across galaxies.
Knock Knock: My Dad's Dream for Me
by
A boy wakes up one morning to find his father gone. At first, he feels lost. But his father has left him a letter filled with advice to guide him through the times he cannot be there.
Everett Anderson's Goodbye
by
Everett Anderson's Goodbye is a touching portrait of a little boy who is trying to come to grips with his father's death. Lucille Clifton captures Everett's conflicting emotions as he confronts this painful reality. We see him struggle through many stages, from denial and anger to depression and, finally, acceptance. In this spare and moving poem, the last in this acclaimed series, Lucille Clifton brings Everett Anderson's life full circle.
Everett Anderson's 1-2-3
by
As a small boy's mother considers remarriage, he considers the numbers one, two, and three--sometimes they're lonely, sometimes crowded, but sometimes just right.
The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County
by
A young farm girl tries to catch her favorite chicken, until she learns something about the hen that makes her change her ways.
Evan's Corner
by
Needing a place to call his own, Evan is thrilled when his mother points out that their crowded apartment has eight corners, one for each family member.
Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt
by
A young slave stitches a quilt with a map pattern which guides her to freedom in the North.
Firebird
by
American Ballet Theater soloist Misty Copeland encourages a young ballet student, with brown skin like her own, by telling her that she, too, had to learn basic steps and how to be graceful when she was starting out, and that some day, with practice and dedication, the little girl will become a firebird, too. Includes author's note about dancers who led her to find her voice.
Last Stop on Market Street
by
A young boy, CJ, rides the bus across town with his grandmother and learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things.
The Hickory Chair
by
A blind boy tells of his warm relationship with his grandmother and the gift she left for him after her death.
Wild, Wild Hair
by
In this rhyming story, an African American girl hides when it's time to comb and braid her hair.
Yo, Jo!
by
Jomar greets his neighbors using slang, but his grandfather wants to hear some more traditional words.
Tell Me a Story, Mama
by
A young girl and her mother remember together all the girl's favorite stories about her mother's childhood.
When I Am Old with You
by
A child imagines being old with Grandaddy and joining him in such activities as playing cards all day, visiting the ocean, and eating bacon on the porch.
Goggles!
by
Two boys must outsmart the neighborhood bullies before they can enjoy their new treasure, a pair of lensless motorcycle goggles.
Keats's Neighborhood
by
Ezra Jack Keats is widely acknowledged as one of the first people to feature realistic, friendly, multi-ethnic urban settings in his picture books-forever changing the landscape of children's literature in the process. Now this beautiful collection brings together nine of his best-loved stories, including the 1963 Caldecott Medal-winning book The Snowy Day and Caldecott Honor book Goggles!, plus Whistle for Willie, Peter's Chair, Apt. 3, and others. Also included is artwork from an unfinished picture book, The Giant Turnip, published here for the very first time. An introduction by celebrated critic of children's literature Anita Silvey outlines Keats's career and inimitable contributions. In addition, five of the most important writers and illustrators working in the field today share their thoughts on Keats and the legacy he left behind. An afterword describes his incredible life, from his childhood in Brooklyn to children's book legend.
The Snowy Day
by
The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day.
Whistle for Willie
by
When Whistle for Willie was first published in 1964, The New York Times wrote "Mr. Keats' illustrations boldly, colorfully capture the child, his city world. and the shimmering heat of a summer's day." Now the story of Peter, who longs to whistle for his dog, is accessible to even the youngest child in a durable board book edition, with reinforced pages, a handy trim size, and safe, rounded corners. Ezra Jack Keats, who died in 1983, was the award-winning author of such children's favorites as The Snowy Day, which won the Caldecott Medal, and Goggles, a Caldecott Honor Book.
John Henry
by
Retells the life of the legendary African American hero who raced against a steam drill to cut through a mountain.
Henry's Freedom Box
by
A fictionalized account of how in 1849 a Virginia slave, Henry "Box" Brown, escapes to freedom by shipping himself in a wooden crate from Richmond to Philadelphia.
Uncle Jed's Barbershop
by
Despite serious obstacles and setbacks Sarah Jean's Uncle Jed, the only black barber in the county, pursues his dream of saving enough money to open his own barbershop.
Almost to Freedom
by
Tells the story of a young girl's dramatic escape from slavery via the Underground Railroad, from the perspective of her beloved rag doll.
Ellen's Broom
by
Ellen has always known that the broom hanging on her family's cabin wall is a special symbol of her parents' wedding during slave days, so she proudly carries it to the courthouse when the marriage becomes legal.
Flossie and the Fox
by
A wily fox, notorious for stealing eggs, meets his match when he encounters a bold little girl in the woods who insists upon proof that he is a fox before she will be frightened.
The Adventures of Sugar and Junior
by
Santiago Antonio Ramirez, also known as Junior, enjoys playing games, making cookies, and going to the movies with Sugar, the new girl next door.
The Piano
by
A young black girl's love of music leads her to a job in the home of an older white woman who not only teaches her to play the piano but also about caring for others.
Chicken Sunday
by
To thank Miss Eula for her wonderful Sunday chicken dinners, three children sell decorated eggs to buy her a beautiful Easter hat.
Mrs. Katz and Tush
by
A long-lasting friendship develops between Larnel, a young African-American, and Mrs. Katz, a lonely, Jewish widow, when Larnel presents Mrs. Katz with a scrawny kitten without a tail.
Peekaboo Morning
by
A toddler plays peek-a-boo throughout the day.
Yo! Yes?
by
Two lonely characters, one black and one white, meet on the street and become friends.
Tar Beach
by
A young girl dreams of flying above her Harlem home, claiming all she sees for herself and her family. Based on the author's quilt painting of the same name.
The Jazz of Our Street
by
Two siblings dash from their porch one morning to join the second-line parade stamping, swaying, and dancing behind the jazz band marching through their New Orleans neighborhood.
Crossing Bok Chitto
by
In the 1800s, a Choctaw girl becomes friends with a slave boy from a plantation across the great river, and when she learns that his family is in trouble, she helps them cross to freedom.
Working Cotton
by
A young black girl relates the daily events of her family's migrant life in the cotton fields of central California.
Coming on Home Soon
by
After Mama takes a job in Chicago during World War II, Ada Ruth stays with Grandma but misses her mother who loves her more than rain and snow.
Show Way
by
The making of "Show ways, " or quilts which once served as secret maps for freedom-seeking slaves, is a tradition passed from mother to daughter in the author's family.
We Had a Picnic This Sunday Past
by
A young girl describes her various relatives and the foods they bring to the annual family picnic.
A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr
by
A brief, illustrated, biography of the Baptist minister and civil rights leader whose philosophy and practice of nonviolent civil disobedience helped American blacks win many battles for equal rights.
Trombone Shorty
by
Hailing from the Treme neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age six, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the New Orleans Jazz Fest.
Underground
by
A family silently crawls along the ground. They run barefoot through unlit woods, sleep beneath bushes, take shelter in a kind stranger's home. Where are they heading? They are heading for Freedom by way of the Underground Railroad.
Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day
by
Provides an introduction to the life and dreams of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Alvin Ailey
by
Describes the life, dancing, and choreography of Alvin Ailey, who created his own modern dance company to explore the black experience.
Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra
by
A brief recounting of the career of this jazz musician and composer who, along with his orchestra, created music that was beyond category.
Martin's Big Words: the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
by
This picture-book biography is an excellent and accessible introduction for young readers to learn about one of the world's most influential leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Doreen Rappaport weaves the immortal words of Dr. King into a captivating narrative to tell the story of his life. With stunning art by acclaimed illustrator Bryan Collier, Martin's Big Words is an unforgettable portrait of a man whose dream changed America-and the world-forever.
Young Frederick Douglass
by
Presents the early life of the slave who became an abolitionist, journalist, and statesman.
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
by
Jean-Michel Basquiat and his unique, collage-style paintings rocketed to fame in the 1980s as a cultural phenomenon unlike anything the art world had ever seen. But before that, he was a little boy who saw art everywhere: in poetry books and museums, in games and in the words that we speak, and in the pulsing energy of New York City.
Dizzy
by
After arriving in New York, John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was soon playing with the famous Cab Calloway Band, but his clowning around got him fired. Dizzy kept trying out his new music which took over the world of jazz. He had invented "bebop!".
Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets
by
Presents a collection of 20 poems written in tribute to well-known poets from around the world.
Newbery Medalist and a Caldecott Honoree offer a glorious, lyrical ode to poets who have sparked a sense of wonder. Out of gratitude for the poet's art form, Newbery Award-winning author and poet Kwame Alexander, along with Chris Colderley and Marjory Wentworth, present original poems that pay homage to twenty famed poets who have made the authors' hearts sing and their minds wonder. Stunning mixed-media images by Ekua Holmes, winner of a Caldecott Honor and a John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award, complete the celebration and invite the reader to listen, wonder, and perhaps even pick up a pen.
The Undefeated
by
The Newbery Award-winning author of The Crossover pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time Caldecott Honoree. Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated, this poem is a love letter to black life in the United States. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world's greatest heroes. The text is also peppered with references to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others, offering deeper insights into the accomplishments of the past, while bringing stark attention to the endurance and spirit of those surviving and thriving in the present. Robust back matter at the end provides valuable historical context and additional detail for those wishing to learn more.
Freedom over Me
by
Using original slave auction and plantation estate documents, contrasts the monetary value of a slave with the priceless value of life experiences and dreams that a slave owner could never take away.
My People
by
Hughes's spare yet eloquent tribute to his people has been cherished for generations. Now, acclaimed photographer Smith interprets this beloved poem in vivid sepia photographs that capture the glory, the beauty, and the soul of being a black American today.
For the Love of the Game: Michael Jordan and Me
by
This inspiring poem encourages children to view life with the same determination and passion that Michael Jordan displays in how he plays basketball. By listening to their inner voice and looking to those who love and support them, children can find their own way to fly. Distinguished poet Eloise Greenfield and celebrated artist Jan Spivey Gilchrist honor the beauty of the human spirit and offer a timeless message that will resonate with readers young and old.
Honey, I Love and Other Love Poems
by
An ALA Notable Children's Book, Honey, I Love and Other Love Poems includes sixteen poems that tell of love and the simple joys of everyday life, seen through the eyes of a child: playing with a friend, skipping rope, riding on a train—or keeping Mama company till Daddy gets back.
Each of these sixteen "love poems" is spoken straight from the perspective of a child. Riding on a train, listening to music, playing with a friend...each poem elicits a new appreciation of the rich content of everyday life. The poems are accompanied by both portrait and panorama drawings that deepen the insights contained in the words.
This beloved book of poetry is a Reading Rainbow Selection and the winner of George C. Stone Center for Children's Books' Recognition of Merit Award.
I, Too, Am America
by
A celebration of Pullman porters is the focus of this picture book edition of Langston Hughes' classic poem.
The Negro Speaks of Rivers
by
Artist, E.B. Lewis acts as interpreter and visionary, using watercolor to pay tribute to Langston Hughes's timeless poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers, " a poem that every child deserves to know.
The famous poem is taken from "The collected poems of Langston Hughes "(c1994), illustrated with watercolors.
Moses
by
Lyrical text describes Harriet Tubman's spiritual journey as she hears the voice of God guiding her North to freedom on that very first trip to escape the brutal practice of slavery. This is a moving portrait of one of the most inspiring figures of the Underground Railroad--a woman who would take 19 subsequent trips back South without being caught.
Describes Tubman's spiritual journey as she hears the voice of God guiding her north to freedom on that very first trip to escape the brutal practice of forced servitude. Tubman would make nineteen subsequent trips back south, never being caught, but none as profound as this first one.