February has been nationally declared black history month in the United States. This a time to reflect back on African American culture and the stories within it. Carver Woodson, the creator of this celebration, had a goal that one day those stories would be a part of American history. His goal was gradually met over time, yet this February celebration continues on. Here are just a few black history books that can jump start your historical knowledge.
Black history begins in this country with the dark times of slavery. Norman Yetman's book When I Was a Slave: Memoirs from the Slave Narrative Collection details the lives of slaves in a moving way. The book consists of multiple stories that actual slaves were brave enough to share with the author. Many of the stories are heartbreaking and graphic. This book paints an accurate description of this cruel era.
A very moving book about the era of slave trade is The Middle Passage: White Ships/Black Cargo by Tom Feelings. This is an adult picture book that uses powerful and graphic paintings to show the journey slaves were forced to make across the middle passage. The images depict the cruelty and suffering that slaves endured. The book does not need words because the images speak volumes.
A fun read for almost anyone is a collection of poems titled Carver: A Life in Poems by Marilyn Nelson. Nelson uses poetry to share the life story of George Washington Carver and all of his contributions to science. She gives details of his childhood, how his life work came to be, and of the great honor he received upon his death. The poems are accompanied by beautiful black and white photographs.
The civil rights movement gave birth to many heroes for the black race, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Being one of the most famous. An amazing read about him is The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. Edited by Clayborne Carson. The book is a collection of Dr. King's own written works, including speeches, that connect together to create his life story. Carson also writes some pieces added to the book to create a more complete story.
Another historical figure of this movement was Malcolm X. He had a different approach then Dr. King, and was sometimes considered controversial and radical. Nevertheless, Malcolm X made great strides for racial equality. Walter Dean Myers' book Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary sheds light on this leader and his life story. The story is fascinating, unbiased, and reveals more than what's generally known of him.
Black history also has its place in politics. The book Mississippi Challenge by Mildred Pitts Walter details some the racial biased politics that overpowered Mississippi from the slave days through the civil rights era. She begins with how slavery became so popular in this state and continues on to the fight for equality, despite political barriers set in place. The book provides factual history to back up every story told.
Black history books bring to life stories of cruelty and tragedy, as well as triumph and courage. The celebration of this culture is a great opportunity to learn more about these stories and the heroes that bring them to life. The books described here are just a few of many available to interested readers.
Black history begins in this country with the dark times of slavery. Norman Yetman's book When I Was a Slave: Memoirs from the Slave Narrative Collection details the lives of slaves in a moving way. The book consists of multiple stories that actual slaves were brave enough to share with the author. Many of the stories are heartbreaking and graphic. This book paints an accurate description of this cruel era.
A very moving book about the era of slave trade is The Middle Passage: White Ships/Black Cargo by Tom Feelings. This is an adult picture book that uses powerful and graphic paintings to show the journey slaves were forced to make across the middle passage. The images depict the cruelty and suffering that slaves endured. The book does not need words because the images speak volumes.
A fun read for almost anyone is a collection of poems titled Carver: A Life in Poems by Marilyn Nelson. Nelson uses poetry to share the life story of George Washington Carver and all of his contributions to science. She gives details of his childhood, how his life work came to be, and of the great honor he received upon his death. The poems are accompanied by beautiful black and white photographs.
The civil rights movement gave birth to many heroes for the black race, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Being one of the most famous. An amazing read about him is The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. Edited by Clayborne Carson. The book is a collection of Dr. King's own written works, including speeches, that connect together to create his life story. Carson also writes some pieces added to the book to create a more complete story.
Another historical figure of this movement was Malcolm X. He had a different approach then Dr. King, and was sometimes considered controversial and radical. Nevertheless, Malcolm X made great strides for racial equality. Walter Dean Myers' book Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary sheds light on this leader and his life story. The story is fascinating, unbiased, and reveals more than what's generally known of him.
Black history also has its place in politics. The book Mississippi Challenge by Mildred Pitts Walter details some the racial biased politics that overpowered Mississippi from the slave days through the civil rights era. She begins with how slavery became so popular in this state and continues on to the fight for equality, despite political barriers set in place. The book provides factual history to back up every story told.
Black history books bring to life stories of cruelty and tragedy, as well as triumph and courage. The celebration of this culture is a great opportunity to learn more about these stories and the heroes that bring them to life. The books described here are just a few of many available to interested readers.
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