Our 1995 #kidslitflashback features the book DARKNESS by author Mildred Pitts Walter and illustrated by Marcia Jameson. This children’s book begins with “Are you afraid of the dark?” I pulled this title out of the archives for students to challenge their potential hesitation towards the negative notions darkness and Blackness. As an affirmation of the beauty that can be found in the opposite of light, Pitts Walter states…”Life begins in darkness.” The familiar images presented in her book reinforce every day, often overlooked, beauty in moments of darkness. This book can be read together with the following to discuss the beauty of darkness and Blackness. -Ashley Bryan. (2003). Beautiful blackbird A tale from the Ila-speaking people of Zambia appreciating one’s heritage and the beauty within. It affirms Black as beautiful and also that all living creatures are beautiful. -Taye Diggs, & Evans, Shane, illustrator. (2015). Chocolate me! Taye’s story relays the experiences of a dark-skinned curly-haired boy who mather helps him realize how beautiful he is inside and out. -Jewel Parker Rhodes. (2020). Black brother, Black brother. A coming of age middle-grade story about two bi-racial 12-year-old brothers, one Black presenting, Donte, and the other, White presenting brother Trey. Known as the ‘Black brother’, Donte navigates colorism, privilege, bullying, and discrimination in an affluent, private school setting. Interestingly, I am having a mental block and couldn’t think of a young adult book. Please share titles for young adult-level books.
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Dr. Guy Sims, Philly native, co-creator of the critically acclaimed Brotherman comics books takes time to share his story with us! He is a frequent collaborator with his brother, illustrator Dawud Anyabwile. He adapted Walter Dean Myers' book Monster into a graphic novel which Mr. Anyabwile illustrated.
Dr. Sims discusses, the role literacy played in his life, writing, the story behind Brotherman comics, retelling Monster for a new generation, and much more. In his memoir, Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (Adapted for Young Readers), Trevor shared his experiences growing up as a biracial child during Aparthied in South Africa.
Readers will gains better understanding of what it was like to live under racial segregation in another country outside of the United States. Noah shares his adventurous, mischievous, complicated, journey as he witnesses gender roles, colorism and the system of racism as it existed in South Africa. You will also experience Trevor's resilience, his intelligence and incredible love for his Mother. This book fits the literary 'windows' and 'sliding glass door ' references. There are some difficult themes, like domestic violence within this book. The reading range is from Middle-grade to High school. As we celebrate International Education Week, we hope these titles inspires addition learning about the culture, histories, and stories from Africa. 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. Narrative stories have been an engaging more personally responsive means for learners to remember histories and culture.
After reading selections in 'Narrative in Instructional Design' and finishing Wade Hudson's middle-grade memoir DEFIANT, it made sense to pair the two books for educators as teaching and writing tools for curriculum or professional development. Bring the narrative to the present day by pairing it with Wade and Cheryl Hudson's 'Recognize!: An Anthology Honoring and Amplifying Black Life'. Join We Are Here Lit! as we talk to the Hudsons this Saturday LIVE on the We Are Here Lit Facebook page this Satuday at 12 pm EST. . We will discuss the book, the contribution of the Hudon's to Black publishing and literature, supporting Black lit and bookstores this holiday season, and much more! We Are Here Lit! shares our interview with acclaimed Author, Historian, and Educator Ray Anthony Shepard. An insightful journey, Mr. Shepard will share his literacy story, his path as an Educator to a noted Author sharing the importance critical literacy plays in telling African-American historical narratives.
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We will discuss their critically acclaimed new releases 'Recognize' and 'Defiant' and also about supporting Black publishers, authors, and bookstores this holiday season. November 13th 12pm EST On Facebook Live Link: https://www.facebook.com/wearehereliteracy/ #BuyBlackBooks #SupportBlackBookstores Veteran teachers who use picture books in classroom have observed the following:
-Captures visual learners -Create mental models and build new schema -A read-aloud is still engaging to secondary students -Includes reluctant readers in learning and conversion -Can build community on tough topics -Understand the essence of empathy -Connect colors to feelings -Identify and relate to diverse cultures -Runaway, The Daring Escape of Ona Judge by Ray Anthony Shapard -The Bell Rang by James E. Ransome Runaway is a book that can be used as a hook to begin a lesson that will address the poetic device of repetition, African-American Vernacular English, colorism, American gentry, Hercules, founders of American government, enslavement as possession, enslaved people who ran away, fugitive enslavement, free states, and settlements. We highly recommend the following two books when addressing U.S. History and enslavement for Social Studies and English/Language Arts classrooms. The Bell Rang is a rhythmic story told in stanzas sharing a realistic portrayal of enslaved circumstances of escaping to freedom. Mr. Ray Anthony Shepard will be a featured guest interview. Join us this Saturday at 12pm as We Are Here Lit! features our interview with acclaimed Author, Historian, and Educator Ray Anthony Shepard. An insightful journey, Mr. Shepard will share his literacy story, his path as an Educator to a noted Author sharing the importance critical literacy plays in telling African-American historical narratives. You can watch or listen to the interview on all our platforms (Youtube, Anchor Podcast, Spotify, and the website weareherelit.org) I recently finished the middle-grade book ‘Take Back the Block’ by Chrystal D. Giles and the picture book ‘Alejandria Fights Back! ¡La Lucha de Alejandria!’ by by Leticia Hernández-Linares, The Rise-Home Stories Project, Robert Liu-Trujillo , and Carla España (Translator) and wanted to put some additional books to support this topic.
‘Take Back the Block’ features the protagonist, middle schooler, Wes Henderson, along with his community dealing with a real estate developer offering to buy the neighborhood where Wes grew up. Black and Latinx youth advocacy and community are involved in both books as they also use their local library to source information to advocate for their communities. Also, included are the following titles to learn and discuss this topic from elementary through high school: -Everything Naomi Loved by Kate Yamasaki and Ian Lendler (elementary) -Like Home by Louisa Onome (middle/high school) -Halsey Street by Naima Coste (middle/high school) Included in the Linktree (in bio) are additional lesson plans, video clips explaining gentrification, and a Boyz N The Hood clip for context geared towards a high school student prompt. Veteran teachers who use picture books in classroom have observed the following:
-Captures visual learners -Create mental models and build new schema -A read-aloud is still engaging to secondary students -Includes reluctant readers in learning and conversion -Can build community on tough topics -Understand the essence of empathy -Connect colors to feelings -Identify and relate to diverse cultures -Runaway, The Daring Escape of Ona Judge by Ray Anthony Shapard -The Bell Rang by James E. Ransome Runaway is a book that can be used as a hook to begin a lesson that will address the poetic device of repetition, African-American Vernacular English, colorism, American gentry, Hercules, founders of American government, enslavement as possession, enslaved people who ran away, fugitive enslavement, free states, and settlements. We highly recommend the following two books when addressing U.S. History and enslavement for Social Studies and English/Language Arts classrooms. The Bell Rang is a rhythmic story told in stanzas sharing a realistic portrayal of enslaved circumstances of escaping to freedom. Mr. Ray Anthony Shepard will be a featured guest interview. Join us this Saturday at 12pm as We Are Here Lit! features our interview with acclaimed Author, Historian, and Educator Ray Anthony Shepard. An insightful journey, Mr. Shepard will share his literacy story, his path as an Educator to a noted Author sharing the importance critical literacy plays in telling African-American historical narratives. You can watch or listen to the interview on all our platforms (Youtube, Anchor Podcast, Spotify, and the website (weareherelit.org) |
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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