Feathers

Title: Feathers
2008 Newbery Honor Book
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Published: 2007
Plot Summary: A white boy is the new kid at a predominately black school in Brooklyn during the 1970s. His classmates nickname him Jesus Boy. Fannie's contemplations of faith, hope, prejudices, etc are sparked by school events surrounding Jesus Boy and by family life.
Main Characters: Frannie, Jesus Boy, Sean, Samantha
Theme(s): the ways in which people find hope in the world
Reader's Response: Readers grapple with the things that give us hope and the things that threaten that same hope.
Teaching Idea: Students compare and contrast the ways in which the civil rights movement and the black panther movement worked to bring about change.
Grade Level: 4 - 7
Reading Level (Lexile): 760

The Dark - Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural

Title: The Dark - Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural
1993 Newbery Honor Book
Author: Patricia C. McKissack
Published: 1992
Plot Summary: This is a collection of ten eerie and haunting supernatural tales. Each tale is preceded by a short excerpt that places it in a historical context from the pre-civil war era to modern day. Many of these tales highlight African American History and the tradition of oral storytelling.
Main Characters:
Theme(s): the use of the supernatural as a form of empowerment for an individual or a group of people seeking justice
Reader's Response: Readers will root for the heroes in this story and thus identify themselves with the African American protagonists in these tales that are historically rooted in experiences of slavery, segregation, and civil rights in America.
Teaching Idea: Have students look at folktales that feature supernatural powers used in fights for justice such as Golem. Using the graphic novel format, have students create a supernatural tale about a hero that fights for justice.
Grade Level: 4 - 7
Reading Level (Lexile): 730

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Title: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
1977 Newbery Winner
Author: Mildred D. Taylor
Published: 1976
Plot Summary: An African American family living in Mississippi during the Depression era is terrorized by racism and poverty. 9 year old Cassie tries to make sense of the violence of the KKK that she and her family endure. Ultimately, her family survives in tact and maintains their land.
Main Characters: Cassie Logan, The Logan Family, TJ, Miz Lillian Jean, Mr. Morrison
Theme(s): the survival of the family despite terrible circumstances
Reader Response: Through an examination of race relations, readers will explore the rights of citizens and citizen responsibility in combating injustice.
Teaching Idea: Students form groups and role play scenarios where they resolve and negotiate conflict caused by an injustice. Students discuss the perceived injustice and how they felt as the perpetrators and/or the victims.
Grade Level: Gr. 4 - 7
Reading Level (Lexile): 960