Through My Eyes: The Autobiography of Ruby Bridges

Title: Through My Eyes: The Autobiography of Ruby Bridges
2000 NCTE Orbis Pictus Winner
Author: Ruby Bridges/ edited by Margo Lundell
Published: 1999
Interesting Facts: (1) Mrs. Henry talks about her time as Ruby's first grade teacher, " To help Ruby, I tried to explain integration more than once...I didn't want to allow hate to enter her life and in any way diminish her beautiful spirit...I told her that the other children would come back to school eventually. When she asked how soon that would be, I had no answer. Ruby never complained, but I knew she was lonely (2) Ruby talks about an incident that happened on the playground at the end of her first year of school, "...a little white boy refused to play with me. 'I can't play with you...My mama said not to because you're a nigger...' I would have done the same thing. If my mama said not to do something, I didn't do it" (50). (3) Ruby talks about the impact that 1960 had on her family life, " I think the pressure my family was under in 1960 caused serious problems in the marriage...After my parents separated, my mother moved us children out of our house on France Street and into a housing project. Over the next few years, my mother had a rough time financially" (pg 56). (4) Ruby talks about her educational opportunities after high school. "After graduating from high school, I remember wanting to go to college. I regret not having that experience. My mother thought doors would automatically open for me as a result of what I had accomplished in 1960, but there was no one around to help lead me through those doors as I was led through the doors of William Frantz" (pg 56-57). (5) Ruby talks about her feelings regarding 1960, " For a long time, I was tempted to feel bitter about the school integration experience, not understanding why I had to go through it and go through it alone. Now I know it was meant to be that way. People are touched by the story of the black child who was so alone (pg 60).
Curriculum Suggestion:
US National History Standards, Grades K-4, Standard 4B: Identify ordinary people who have believed in the fundamental democratic values such as justice, truth, equality, the rights of the individual, and responsibility for the common good, and explain their significance.

US National History Standards, Grades 5-12, Postwar United States, Standard 4A: Explain the resistance to civil rights in the South between 1954 and 1965

Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali

Title: Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali
2008 Corretta Scott King Honor Book
Author: Charles R. Smith, Jr.
Published: 2007
Group: African American

African American cultural examples in 12 Rounds: (1)12 Rounds is written in rhyme in the tradition of African American linguistic styles--a style that Muhammad Ali is renown for aptly delivering. Employing rhyme and rhythm when conversing is a unique African American linguistic style that can be traced backed to the oral storytelling traditions of West African griots . (2) Muhammad Ali is known for his verbal sparring and verbal agility. He makes herculean claims about his abilities "...I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick, I'm so mean I make medicine sick" This traditional African American linguistic style is known as rapping. (3) Ali verbally taunted his opponents "So deal with these fists smacking your ugly face; I'm taking you down for the crown to represent my black race." . In the African American oral tradition this is called playing the dozens and/or signifyin'. (4) Muhammad Ali won a 1960 Olympic gold medal, "To make America the greatest is my goal, so I beat the Russian and I beat the Pole, and for the USA won the medal of gold." During Jim Crow, in spite of their national and international cultural influences, Black athletes and entertainers were still subject to segregation and discrimination in America. After being embraced and hailed as a hero by the international community, Ali returned home from the 1960 Olympics and was dismissed by jeers such as "I don't care who you are boy; get out of here!" In 12 Rounds Smith writes, "...the country you fought for still put people, like laundry, in two separate piles..." (5) In 1967 Ali was drafted into the Vietnam War but Ali refused to report to duty. In 12 rounds Smith writes, "...you said no to the army refusing to fight an unknown enemy for a country that treated you with anger and hostility..." and "...eyes across the globe witnessed you take a stand when you said no to war for religious beliefs and defied your government by standing for peace." (6) Smith writes about Ali, "You shed your slave name of Cassius Clay, giving birth to a new belief in Islamic religion, reflected in your name when reborn as Muhammad Ali." As a testament to the positive affirmation of Black identity, self -expression, and African roots, some African Americans changed their names. Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali. (7) The political climate of the 1960s marked an increase in African American engagement in black nationalist movements that promoted political, social, and economic empowerment and spiritual growth for Black Americans. Malcolm X, was a friend and spiritual counselor to Ali. (8) In 12 rounds Smith writes about the leader of the Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad, "Elijah the messenger fed the teachings of the Nation to hungry black souls filled with years of frustration, souls stung by hate since the days of the plantation, souls beaten like animals in savage humiliation." Liberation from social oppression is often a part of African American theology. (9) The struggle for equality was given a platform and momentum through the careers of popular African American athletes and entertainers. In 12 rounds Smith writes of Ali, "The time is now to not think about you, but what the power of winning the title belt can do: uplift black people." (10) In the 1960s people that did not conform to mainstream American in terms of religion, support for the war, etc were dubbed anti American. The fight between Ali and Joe Frazier was coined "the fight of the century." Joe Frazier was coined the patriot, the baptist. Ali was dubbed the draft dodger, the Muslim.

A Wreath for Emmett Till

Title: A Wreath for Emmet Till
2006 Coretta Scott King Honor Book
Author/Illustrator: Marilyn Nelson/ Philippe Lardy
Published: 2005
Group: African Americans
Examples of African American culture in A Wreath: (1) A Wreath is a heroic crown of sonnets about the lynching of a 14 year old black boy named Emmett Till in 1955. Photos of Emmett's mutilated body catalyzed the civil rights movement. From the 1880s to the late 1960s (some isolated incidences of lynchings occurred as late as 1998) lynching was an act of terror used to control the political, social and economic behaviors of African Americans (2) In A Wreath Nelson writes, "If trees could speak, it could describe...the strange fruit that still ghosts its reverie..." Jazz is a music art form created by African Americans. Jazz has been used by African Americans as a medium to protest social injustices. In 1939 Jazz and Blues singer Billie Holiday recorded a rendition of "Strange Fruit" in response to the lynchings of Black Americans during Jim Crow. (3) Poetry has been used by African Americans as a medium to protest social injustices. African American poet, Paul Dunbar, wrote "The Haunted Oak" in response to the lynchings of Black Americans. In A Wreath Nelson signifies Dunbar's "Haunted Oak," " Though if I could, I would forget...No: I remember, like a haunted tree..." (4)Looking beyond the violence and brutality of lynchings, Nelson speaks of healing, "In my house, there is still something called grace, which melts ice shards of hate and makes hearts whole."Acts of forgiveness and reconciliation are persistent themes in the relationship between African Americans and the United States. (5) "I cling to the faith that innocence lives on...That miracles do exist." The tradition of African American struggles has been sustained by an unwavering faith that things will get better in spite of dire circumstances. (6) The sacredness of memory as a testament to the past is part of African American identity. A Wreath is largely about collective memory and forgetfulness, "...we must bear witness to atrocity." (7) Memory as a burden is part of African American identity, Nelson writes, "Though if I could, I would forget much of that racial memory." (8) Nelson writes that Emmett's mother had sent him to "the South to visit relatives and to be taught the family's ways." Modern day African American culture originated in the deep South. (9) The hypocrisy of America's democracy has been persistently critiqued and exposed through the African American experience. Nelson writes about the hypocrisy of American democracy, "One mouth speaks with forked tongue, the other reads the Constitution...(10) Nelson echoes Malcolm X when relating the ambivalent experiences of Blacks in America, "My country, 'tis of both thy nightmare history and thy grand dream..."

The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights

Title: The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights
2005 Newbery Honor Book
Author: Russell Freedman
Published: 2004
Plot Summary: This biography celebrates the artistic accomplishments of world renown singer Marian Anderson. Her artistic achievements are place in a historical and political context highlighting the Jim Crow US through the civil rights movement. Anderson's performance at the Lincoln Memorial ushered in the desegregation of the arts.
Main Characters: Marian Anderson
Theme(s): defying discrimination
Readers Response: Readers will reflect on the rights of citizens and various groups fight against racial and gender discrimination by exploring the life of Marian Anderson
Teaching Idea: Using Windows Movie Maker (or media format of choice) juxapose images and text, past and present, of struggle against and victory over racial and/or gender discrimination from each era: 1920s - 1940s, 1950s - 1960s, 1970s - 1990s. Select a song that could represent each era.
Grade Level: 5 - 9
Reading Level (Lexile): 1180

Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery

Title: Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery
1994 Newbery Honor
Author: Russell Freedman
Published: 1993
Plot Summary: This biography portrays the life of Eleanor Rooselvelt. The biography chronicles her life from childhood through her adult life. Eleanor Rooselvelt defies traditional social and political conventions and is consequentially heralded as "First Lady of the World" and a very important humanitarian.
Main Characters: Eleanor Roosevelt
Themes: standing up for what you believe in while facing criticism and unpopularity
Reader's Response: Readers will explore citizen rights and the role of a citizen by questioning misconceptions about social norms concerning gender and race.
Teaching Idea: Using PowerPoint, have children do a comparison of a female activist/ humanitarian from the past and a present day female activist/ humanitarian.
Grade Level: 5 - 9
Reading Level (Lexile): 1100

Martin's Big Words

Title: Martin's Big Words
2002 Caldecott Honor Book
Author/Illustrator: Doreen Rappaport/ Bryan Collier
Published: 2001
Summary: The story of Martin Luther King, Jr
Memorable Quote: You are as good as anyone
Artistic Example: Beautiful, expressive, bold but yet age appropriate
Teaching Idea: Talk of the contributions of Martin Luther King
Grade Level: K5 - 3
Reading Level (Lexile): 410

Snowflake Bentley

Title: Snowflake Bentley
1999 Caldecott Honor Book
Author/Illustrator: Jacqueline B. Martin/ Mary Azarian
Published: 1998
Plot Summary: This is a true story about a self-taught scientist named Wilson Bentley whose life passion was photographing snowflakes.
Memorable Quote: Mistake by mistake, snowflake by snowflake, Willie worked through every storm.
Artistic Example: Each page is framed like a photo to compliment Bentley's interest in photography.
Teaching Idea: Students will be divided into partners. Partners will make a graphic biography of one another by using items that give insight into who they are such as the cover of their favorite cd, family pictures, tickets to a concert/play, etc. These items will serve as primary documents for crafting the graphic biography.
Grade Level: K5 - 3
Reading Level (Lexile): 830

Duke Ellington the Piano Prince and His Orchestra

Title: Duke Ellington the Piano Prince and His Orchestra
1999 Caldecott Honor Book
Author/Illustrator: Andrea Davis Pinkney/ Brian Pinkney
Published: 1998
Summary: This is the life of legendary jazz pianist, Duke Ellington.
Memorable Quote: "Creole Love Call" was spicier than a pot of jambalaya.
Artistic Example: Like jazz music itself, the illustrations are bright, colorful and vibrant.
Teaching Idea: A lesson on the music and musicians of the Harlem Renaissance.
Grade Level: K5 - 5
Reading Level (Lexile): 800

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

Title: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
2004 Caldecott Winner
Author/Illustrator: Mordicai Gerstein
Published: 2003
Summary: A true story about how in 1974 French trapezist, Philippe Petit, walked on a tightrope suspended between the World Trade Center towers.
Memorable Quote: Now the towers are gone.
Artistic Example: Gerstein artistic play on vertical and horizontal line denotes Petit's balancing act.
Teaching Idea: Use google map to teach geographical concepts such as location, direction, region, etc. by locating site where World Trade memorial and museum will be. Discuss the purpose of memorials and national traditions that honor the memories of historical events. Work with students using personalized google map to create a map of some other national memorials such as Mt. Rushmore. Upload photos of these memorials with brief description onto google map. Discuss other books that feature national memorials such as So You Want to Be President by Judith St. George; take students on virtual tour of national monuments using United Streaming.
Grade Level: K5 - 3
Reading Level (Lexile): 730