Jordan is on an 8th grade trip to Paris, an exciting prospect for an aspiring artist like Jordan. But the adventure with his friends takes unexpected, often humorous turns with a new adult chaperone. Jordan’s story which starts in New Kid, continues in Class Act is sure to engage young readers and remind adults of the pitfalls of adolescence.
School Trip
Dan was an awkward 8th grader who generally stayed quiet and rather unnoticed until an even more awkward school presentation. The boy’s self-confidence gradually grows during a weeks-long study trip to Paris. The graphic format is effective in presenting this often-humorous memoir and his sometimes uncomfortable memories.
A First Time for Everything
A picture book biography about Evelyn Glennie, a deaf woman, who became the first full-time solo percussionist in the world. From the moment Evelyn Glennie heard her first note, music held her heart. She played the piano by ear at age eight, and the clarinet by age ten. But soon, the nerves in her ears began to deteriorate, and Evelyn was told that, as a deaf girl, she could never be a musician. What sounds Evelyn couldn’thear with her ears, though, she could feel resonate through her body as if she, herself, were a drum. And the music she created was extraordinary. Evelyn Glennie had learned how to listen in a new way.
Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion
When 14-year-old William Kamkwamba’s Malawi village was hit by a drought, everyone’s crops began to fail. Without enough money for food, let alone school, William spent his days in the library … and figured out how to bring electricity to his village. Persevering against the odds, William built a functioning windmill out of junkyard scraps, and thus became the local hero who harnessed the wind.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
The true story of John Meyers and Charles Bender, who in 1911 became the first two Native pro baseball players to face off in a World Series. This picture book teaches important lessons about resilience, doing what you love in the face of injustice, and the fight for Native American representation in sports.
Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series
Once there was a little girl with a big guitar from Cotton Plant, Arkansas, who would grow up to be an unconventional musician with a major influence on icons including Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash. The narration evokes Rosetta’s musicality and is effectively complemented by expressive paintings. Additional information is included.
Rock, Rosetta, Rock! Roll, Rosetta, Roll!
A picture-book biography of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the woman who invented rock and roll — a warm, inspiring tale of a childhood filled with music, community, and a drive to succeed. “Music is the heart of our story” says Momma to young Rosetta, surprising her with her first guitar. Rosetta‘s strums sound like ker-plunks. But with practice and determination, she makes music, fingers hopping “like corn in a kettle,” notes pouring over the church crowd “like summer rain washing the dust off a new day.”
Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar: The Musical Story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Woman Who Invented Rock and Roll
Rob dreams of becoming a champion strongman. He wants to flip huge tires, lug boulders, and haul trucks— and someday be the strongest man in the world! But he feels like he can’t fit in with his bright leggings, unicorn T-shirts, and rainbow-dyed hair. Will Rob find a way to step into his true self and be a champion? This picture book introduces readers to Rob Kearney and his journey from an athletic kid trying to find his place to the world’s first openly gay professional strongman.
Strong
Sharon Robinson shares memories of her famous father in this warm loving biography of the man who broke the color barrier in baseball. Jackie Robinson was an outstanding athlete, a devoted family man and a dedicated civil rights activist. Includes never-before-published letters by Jackie Robinson, as well as photos from the Robinson family archives.
Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America
A portrait of the baseball legend, written by his daughter, traces the events that led up to Robinson’s historic signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers and his role in promoting the desegregation of baseball.
Jackie Robinson: American Hero
A realistic account of what it means to be an activist as a young kid. This memoir follows Sharon, the daughter of color barrier-breaking baseball player Jackie Robinson, as she navigates systemic anti-Black racism in America while being a preteen. This is the story of how one girl finds her voice in the fight for justice and equality.
Child of the Dream (A Memoir of 1963)
A picture book biography about how Carter G. Woodson became known as the “father of Black History” that also highlights the importance of literacy and being an informed citizen. Woodson, a child of formerly enslaved parents, grew up listening to family and friend’s stories and reading the newspaper to his father. Woodson was inspired to pursue more knowledge about the histories and lives of Black people, and to share these stories. Illustrations also feature brief biological sketches of important figures from African and African American history.
Carter Reads the Newspaper
Born Chloe Ardelia Wofford in Ohio, Toni Morrison grew up listening to her family tell myths, legends, and stories from the Bible. She loved hearing the music and power of the words. After an early childhood of soaking up tales from those around her, it was no surprise Toni grew into a voracious reader. When it came time for her to write her own stories, she knew she wanted to write about her people — Black people — and she began working on what would become an acclaimed and trailblazing body of work. Back matter includes further reading on Toni Morrison’s life and work.
On Her Wings: The Story of Toni Morrison
The inspiring life and history of George Washington Carver, from a baby born into slavery to celebrated botanist, scientist, and inventor. When George Washington Carver was just a young child, he had a secret: a garden of his own, and it was in this very place that George’s love of nature sprouted into something so much more — his future. His passion and determination are the seeds to this lasting story about triumph over hardship.
The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver
The story of a groundbreaking artist who chronicled an important era in Harlem and showed the beauty and pride of its people. James Van Der Zee was just a young boy when he saved enough money to buy his first camera. He took photos of his family, classmates, and anyone who would sit still for a portrait. Eventually James opened his own portrait studio in Harlem. He took photographs of legendary figures of the Harlem Renaissan — politicians such as Marcus Garvey, performers including Florence Mills, Bill -Bojangles- Robinson, and Mamie Smith — and ordinary folks in the neighborhood, too.
Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee!
The story of Charles Henry Turner, the first Black entomologist — a scientist who studies bugs. Can spiders learn? How do ants find their way home? Can bugs see color? All of these questions buzzed endlessly in Charles Henry Turner’s mind. He was fascinated by plants and animals and bugs. And even when he faced racial prejudice, Turner did not stop wondering. He constantly read, researched, and experimented.
Buzzing with Questions: The Inquisitive Mind of Charles Henry Turner
Ethel Payne always had an ear for stories. Seeking truth, justice, and equality, Ethel followed stories from her school newspaper in Chicago to Japan during World War II. It even led her to the White House briefing room, where she broke barriers as the only black female journalist. Ethel wasn’t afraid to ask the tough questions of presidents, elected officials, or anyone else in charge, earning her the title, “First Lady of the Black Press.”
The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne
Discover the inspiring story of Augustus Jackson, an African American entrepreneur who is known as “the father of ice cream.” After working in the White House as a cook, Gus headed back home to Philadelphia, and in 1830, he opened his very own ice cream parlor. He devised a way to keep the ice cream frozen so that it could be shipped and sold to other businesses. Back matter includesan afterword, a list of sources, and an easy-to-follow recipe so readers can make their own delicious ice cream!
Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better
This autobiographical picture book by the Grammy Award-winning singer Roberta Flack recounts her childhood in a home surrounded by music and love: it all started with a beat-up piano that her father found in a junkyard, repaired, and painted green. Growing up in a Blue Ridge mountain town, little Roberta didn’t have fancy clothes or expensive toys … but she did have music.
The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music
You’ve heard the names Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King, but what about the many other women who were crucial to the Civil Rights Movement? Told through twelve short biographies, this book celebrates just some of the many Black women — each of whom has been largely underrepresented until now — who were instrumental to the nation’s fight for civil rights and the contributions they made in driving the movement forward.
Justice Rising: 12 Amazing Black Women in the Civil Rights Movement
A picture book biography about the barber shop of woodcarver Elijah Pierce, recipient of the highest folk art honor in the United States. “Creeeeak!” goes the screen door to self-taught artist Elijah Pierce’s barbershop art studio. A young boy walks in for an ordinary haircut and walks out having discovered a lifetime of art. Mr. Pierce’s wood carvings are in every corner of the small studio. There are animals, scenes from his life, and those detailing the socio-political world around him. Based on the true story of Elijah Pierce and his community barber shop in Columbus, Ohio, this picture book includes informative backmatter about his life.
You Gotta Meet Mr. Pierce!
Before there was Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Johnny Cash, there was Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The godmother of rock & roll started as a little girl from Arkansas with music in her air, in her hair, in her bones, wiggling her toes. With a big guitar in hand and a big voice in her soul, she grew into a rock & roll trailblazer in a time when women were rarely seen rocking out. Includes a timeline of Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s life, author’s note, and a list of sources.
Rock, Rosetta, Rock! Roll, Rosetta, Roll!
Maya Angelou was the first Black poet and the first woman to recite poetry at a Presidential Inauguration. Her life is introduced in free verse and realistic collage to evoke the poet and her work. A timeline and notes from the award-winning author and illustrator conclude this memorable portrait.
Maya’s Song
Handsome, animated illustrations combine with straightforward language to tell the story of the great-great-granddaughter of the Mongolian warlord, Genghis Khan, who trained and succeeded as a warrior. Backmatter reveals how her story was pieced together from various sources and legend.