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This chapter book series from @capstonepub is a perfect selection for beginning, independent readers.
Written by Suman Nuurali, the books feature a curious, adventurous, empathetic Somali boy named Sadiq. Each book shares Sadiq's life as he experiences life solving everyday 3rd grader predicaments, with the help of his family and friends. The books share the same background information about his Somali, Muslim family living in Minnesota. Also included at the beginning of each book are Somali words that are integrated allowing the reader to effortlessly incorporate new language concepts while reading the text. Somali culture is embedded through the storylines teaching the reader about their customs. Pair non-fiction books with this series so young people can learn more about Somali history and culture. Check this series out at your local library or Black bookstore!
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That is the motto for the country in Africa called Ghana.
We are bringing you two books recently published to share more about the significance of this country. The first book is called ‘Kwame Nkrumah’s Midnight Speech for Independence’ by Useni Eugene Perkins and Illustrated by Laura Freeman. This is an insightful biography detailing the life of the 1st Prime Minister and the 1st elected President of the Republic of Ghana. Here are a few facts from this book that can be ties to additional instructional concepts: Colonialism, Independence, Self-Rule, & Liberation Kwame Nkrumah, Ghanian nationalist leader who led the Gold Coast's drive for independence from Britain and presided over its emergence as the new nation HBCUs Dr. Nkrumah went to Lincoln University, before earning his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania Civil Rights Nkrumah engaged with Civil Rights activists, like the Rev. Adam Clayton Powell and W.E.B. Dubois, Martin Luther King, Coretta Scott King, A. Phillip Randolph, Ralph Bunche among others Revolutionary Leader Kwame was instrumental in progressing the movement for the liberation of the Gold Coast from the British. Although not in this book, he met with leaders, like Che Guevara, who was also working to liberate African and South America from the term they coined ‘neocolonialism” Collectivism Kwame Nrumah galvanized momentum for freedom through groups in the Gold Coast like the United Gold Coast Convention and the Convention People’s Party. Internationally he helped organize the 5th Pan African Congress with African and International leaders who were fighting for independence in Africa. This book also includes a timeline, Adinkra Symbols with explained meanings, and a timeline. Also included to provide historical knowledge about Ghana’s past is a historical fiction novel called ‘We Are Akan’ by Dorothy Brown Soper and illustrated by James Cloutier. This story about the 3 boys living in the Asante Kingdom, the most powerful nation in West Africa. As they learn adult skills they are invited to Kumasi for an important festival. They become intertangled in a rebellion that changes their trajectory. The Nelson Mandela Foundation describes Tutu as “ an extraordinary human being. A thinker. A leader. A shepherd."
A fighter who was a leader in the anti-apartheid movement, which fought against a White minority who ruled the Black majority through the brutal, heinous system of legislation and segregation policies, has passed away. He was a peacemaker of worldly justice FOR ALL. The South African, Archbishop of Cape Town, campaigned for democracy, human rights, and tolerance to be achieved by dialogue and accommodation between enemies. In 1984, Tutu was awarded the nobel Peace Prize for his role as a unifying leaders figure in the campaign to resolve apartheid in South Africa. In 2009, President Barack Obama presented Tutu with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Reverend Tutu also wrote several children’s books, three represented in this post. Let There Be Light, a story of Creation, centers around culturally African images and themes. Desmond and the Very Mean Word, A story in learning the power for forgiveness and letting go of anger. And finally, God’s Dream focuses on humanity and love for all. Use his books to introduce the youth to this iconic international peacemaker. Omar Mohamed shares his life story, in the graphic novel When Stars Are Scattered, about how he and his brother Hassan, alone without their parents, escaped Somalia during Civil War to trek 3 months to a refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya to live.
The graphic novel details Mohamed, as a 12-year-old, with the help of an older woman, Fatuma, figure out how to live in a place that is not your home but becomes your home. Struggling with a lack of food and taking care of his intellectually disabled brother, and trying to get an education in the camp, Muhamed conveys the harsh realities of life in a refugee camp with a human touch. This book, co-written and illustrated by Victoria Jamieson, written at middle-grade level, gives young people an understanding of the difficulties of life being a refugee and seeking immigration to a place one can feel safe and have a sense of peace away from their homeland in strife. We also provided are other books from K-12, fiction and non-fiction for students to understand the humanity of these experiences. A lot of misconceptions surround Africa. Today’s post provides some of the basics to introduce information that creates a more informed approach about the continent.
Here are some quick facts: -It’s a continent of 54 countries that are diverse culturally and geographically -Africa is really, really big — about as big as the combined landmasses of China, the United States, India, Japan and much of Europe. -According to studies that screen DNA markers in different populations, the African continent has the highest level of genetic diversity in the world. According to the researchers, this makes sense since it’s the starting point for the human race. Here are the titles of the books presented in the post:
 From Africa to the Americas...this book evokes conversations, questions, accountability, contemplation, and truths.
African Icons: 10 People Who Shaped History, by Tracey Baptiste, is a historical introduction to the continent and people of Africa before colonization.
This diverse collection of biographies details influential men and women who shaped philosophy, art, business, and leadership. The detail of the biographies provides context and contributions to history and culture. Stunningly illustrated portraits of historical figures, by Hillary D. Wilson, in a various array of warm skin tones in brown hues are included, as well as maps, photographs, and primary artifacts. The back matter has an extensive bibliography and a list of websites of additional information. Age range is from upper elementary through middle school. This is a highly recommended purchase for home, classroom, school, and public libraries as a primer for a grossly understudied topic. Baptist's book provides an important 'Mirror' for Black identity, while also providing the historical significance and acknowledgment of African Leaders for the 'Windows' perspective of those from other cultures. The final books in this Black men & STEM series pair hands-on tools to model scientific activity and inquiry.
The first book is The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just by Mélina Mangal and Luisa Uribe. Students can mirror Ernest Everett Just, a world-renowned Biologist who discovered the fundamental role of the cell surface in the development of organisms. Student can use a digital microscope, like the one pictured in slide 3, to replicate similar activities of Dr Just. We also have The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition, and picture book, by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. The energy renewal kit replicates William Kamkwamba's windmill. The movie is also available on Netflix. Thematic pairing of the the movie with the book and/or manipulatives can help students access texts that may be difficult leading to deeper comprehension and more inclusive discussion. Hands-on learning is a form of education in which students learn by doing. Instead of simply listening to a teacher or instructor lecture about a given subject, the student engages with the subject matter to solve a problem or create something. Fun fact: Ernest Everett Just was the faculty advisor who worked to mediate the founding of the Black Greek-lettered Fraternity Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. |
AuthorSWE ARE HERE will provide you book reviews, discussions, news, and programming about literature and literacy by and about Black males. This site will also feature vlog conversations on topics related to the promoting literacy and voice for Black boys and young men. Archives
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