Synergy: Black Panther Party

The Black Panther Party was a political organization formed in the 1960s. Known for both their community activism and controversial approaches to promoting civil rights, the group promoted self-defense and challenged police brutality. Their Ten-point Program advocated for social justice, but their message was often overlooked by the media in favorite of a focus on member violent conflicts and criminal activities.

Read the recently published, award-winning nonfiction history for youth then learn more at the website.

REVOLUTION IN OUR TIME: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People by Kekla Magoon puts this controversial organization and its members within the larger context of Black American history. Providing an accurate and balanced examination of this influential black movement group, the book is a “must read” for teens grappling with today’s issues of social justice. Primary source documents and images are effectively woven into the engaging narrative. Useful end matter includes information about key people, a time line, glossary, and further readings.

BLACK PAST is a website dedicated to providing reliable and accurate information about African American history to promote constructive change. The website contains sections focusing on African American history and global African history along with main and special features. Resources including 101 African American firsts, genealogy materials, office holders, and STEM innovators. A search for Black Panther Party leads to several useful articles and resources.

To visit the website, go to https://www.blackpast.org/. 

BLACK PANTHER PARTY COLLECTION website includes video footage from the 1960s and 1970s related to the Black Panther Party’s Oakland Chapter.

To visit the video collection, go to https://bit.ly/3GCocl6.

ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

Synergy: John Lewis

John Lewis (1940-2020) was a Georgia congressman and civil rights leader. From 1963-1966, he was the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). In addition, he was one of the key organizers for the 1963 March on Washington and led the first of three Selma marches.

Read the recently published graphic memoir then learn more at the website.

RUN: BOOK ONE by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin is a companion to the MARCH graphic memoir series. Set after the 1965 Selma marches, this graphic history focuses on John Lewis’ continuing role leading grassroots Civil Right and social justice efforts. The gray-scale comic-style illustrations by L. Fury with Nate Powell combined with hand-drawn reproductions of primary sources such as letters and newspapers add to the reading and learning experience. The book concludes with biographical sketches of key individuals involved with the movement and fascinating notes about specific events connected with the narrative.

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Digital Gateway explores the history and work of this group. From leading voter registration efforts to building grassroots movements, the SNCC documentary website features the work of young activists in empowering the Black community.

To learn more, go to https://snccdigital.org/.

ARC courtesy of First Second.

Synergy: Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. The ADA requires reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities and accessibility to public spaces. Before the act was passed, disabilities rights activists shed their assistive devices and crawled up the 100 steps of the Capitol to show support for the bill.

ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP by Annette Bay Pimentel tells the true story of Jennifer Keelan, a second grader with cerebral palsy who participated in the “Capitol Crawl” and other activities to promote awareness of disabilities.

Jennifer Keelan describes her experience climbing the Capitol Steps in a YouTube video. Learn about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the US Department of Justice website.

It’s Our Story: Jennifer Keelan
https://youtu.be/HesvwnM-0nE
https://youtu.be/qThC79iYs1U

ADA Website
https://www.ada.gov/

ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Explore.

Synergy: José de la Luz Sáenz

José de la Luz Sáenz (1888-1953) was a teacher, civil rights activist, and co-founder of the League of United Latin American Citizens. The published diary of his World War I observations and experiences as a Mexican-American solider has become well-known.

Read the recently published children's book on this topic, then learn more at the website:

SOLDIER FOR EQUALITY by Duncan Tonatiuh is the winner of the Pura Belpré Award and the Robert F. Silbert medal. Featuring Tonatiuh’s unique illustrations, this biographical picture book explores the life and accomplishments of José de la Luz Sáenz. This Mexican-American activist overcame prejudice to become a World War I hero and advocate for equality. The book concludes with an author’s note, timeline, bibliography, glossary, and index.

The José de la Luz Sáenz page at the Texas State Historical Association provides an in-depth examination of this author and activist.

Visit the Texas State Historical Association <https://bit.ly/37VD1gk>

ARC Courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Website Review: The Living Room Candidate

THE LIVING ROOM CANDIDATE from the Museum of Moving Image features U.S. presidential campaign commercials from 1952 though 2016.

The website includes both political advertisements as well as educational resources and tools.

The Commercials section is organized by election year. Each election features background information, candidate information, results, and commercials.

The Type of Commercials section explores ads by topic such as commercials that backfired. Users can learn about the topic and view videos.

The Issue section features topics including civil rights, corruption, taxes, war, and welfare.

The Curator’s Choice section examines examples of effective strategies.

Users can also view playlists and create their own projects. Teachers can download lessons. The Admaker tool can be used to edit videos. Additional resources are also available.

Librarians will find this website to be a valuable tool for government and history classes. The resources are easy to access and use.

To visit the website, go to http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/.

Book Review: The First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial

THE FIRST STEP: HOW ONE GIRL PUT SEGREGATION ON TRIAL by Susan E. Goodman tells the inspiring story of the first lawsuit focusing on segregated schools.

Set in the 1840s, this biographical picture book follows the experiences of a young African American girl named Sarah Roberts who sought to attend a white school in Boston. The book concludes by tracing Sarah’s legacy. Although she didn’t win her case, the experience did provide a few small steps forward at the beginning of the fight for civil rights.

Goodman’s straight forward, easy-to-understand narration makes this book an effective resource for classroom social studies and history activities. E.B. Lewis’ touching watercolor images capture the time period and fervor of the times.

The back matter includes useful information including a timeline, biographies, resource list, and author’s note.

Librarians will find that most students and teachers are familiar with the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, however they may not realize that the fight against segregation began more than a century earlier in the courts. Use this picture book to jumpstart a discussion of the long history of the Civil Rights Movement.

To learn about the author, go to http://www.susangoodmanbooks.com/.
To learn about the illustrator, go to http://eblewis.com/.

Published by Bloomsbury on January 5, 2016. ARC Courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: I Witness

I WITNESS from the USC Shoah Foundation is a website containing over 1,500 video testimonies, multimedia activities, and digital resources focusing the Holocaust and other genocides.

The Watch section provides users with video clips, activities, terms, graphic organizers, and related topics. Students can select from 50 different topics such as Anti-Jewish Laws, Civil Rights in America, and Labor/Concentration Camps. Or, conduct a name or subject search to find resources.

The Activities section provides tools youth can use to build videos, word clouds, and other projects based on the program’s themes. Each activity includes standards, grade level focus, and time to complete the activity. Users can identify mini-quests, info-quests, and video activities in a variety of subject areas.

The Share section contains project news and announcements. It also provides an area where students can view projects created by other youth. Students can share their projects with others.

Librarians will find this website to be an excellent resource for both students and teachers working on history and social studies projects. Consider participating in the Witness Video Challenge that inspires positive change in communities.

To visit the website, go to http://iwitness.usc.edu/

Website Review: Created Equal

CREATED EQUAL is a National Endowment for the Humanities project that brings together award-winning documentary films related to the Civil Rights Movement. It would be a great addition to your Black History Month library activities.

The films include The Abolitionists, Slavery By Another Name, Freedom Riders, The Loving Story, and Freedom Summer. For each film, users can stream the full video, read an overview, and explore background information. In addition, links to classroom materials, essays, and other information is provided.

The website also includes lessons for teachers. Topics include equality under the law, the power of the individual, and the strategy of nonviolence. These lessons are connected to Common Core Standards and include questions for discussions and resources. Guides are also provided for essays related to each film. Additional resources include links to lots of quality websites.

The community programs section provides a programming guide and ideas for how your school and community can participate in events. Events will be held around the US through 2016 including film viewings and a traveling exhibition. An online version of the exhibit is available at http://goo.gl/zyYZK1.

To visit the website, go to http://createdequal.neh.gov/.

Book Review: We've Got A Job

Black History Month is an excellent time to revisit outstanding titles focusing the African American experience as well as introduce newer books.

Originally published 20 years ago in 1995, THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis has become a favorite of elementary teachers and librarians. This compelling work of historical fiction tells the story of an African American family living in Flint, Michigan in 1963. The fictional family travels to Birmingham Alabama and becomes involved in the factual 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.

The year 1963 is also at the center of a recently published book titled WE’VE GOT A JOB by Cynthia Levinson. This work of nonfiction incorporates the stories of four young people and historical photographs to help young readers better understand their nonviolent fight to end racial segregation in 1963. The goal was to confront white Birmingham through a series of peaceful protests such as lunch counter sit-ins, store picketing, and marches. Levinson does a masterful job combining a fast-paced narrative featuring the lives of real African American youth protesters, along with an overarching discussion of the key historical events and activities. By weaving the experiences of the four youth into the story, the author helps readers feel the events come to life. The book concludes with the “afterworld” providing a glimpse into the lives of Audrey, Wash, James, and Arnetta since their involvement in the Children’s March. An author’s note, timeline, map, notes, bibliography, and index are also included.

The We’ve Got a Job website provides additional information and insights into the Children’s March. Go to http://www.wevegotajob.com/.

To learn more about the author, visit her website at http://www.cynthialevinson.com/.

Book Review: The Port Chicago 50

THE PORT CHICAGO 50: DISASTER, MUTINY, AND THE FIGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS by Steve Sheinkin is at the top of many nonfiction awards lists for 2014. Consider purchasing both the print and audiobook versions. 

A finalist for YALSA’s 2015 Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award, the book traces the little-known story of 50 African American sailors convicted of mutiny by the U.S. Navy during World War II. Refusing to follow orders to load dangerous explosives onto ships, their story became a rallying cry for those who felt the military’s segregation policies were discriminatory.

Sheinkin brings the story alive through his compelling, well-researched narrative. Woven throughout the story are primary resource materials including historical photos, interviews, and court records. The print and ebook versions contain extensive references and notes that support the narrative.

Middle and high school students often skim works of nonfiction and miss the impact of the narrative. Consider sharing the audiobook version of this story with youth. Dominic Hoffman is a superb storyteller who masterfully switches among a wide range of voices to keep listeners actively engaged in the story.

Many students and teachers who thought they knew about the Civil Rights Movement will be amazed by this gripping, little-known piece of history.

To learn more about the author, go to http://stevesheinkin.com/.

To see a slideshow on historical photos from the book, go to http://us.macmillan.com/theportchicago50/SteveSheinkin.

Watch a short documentary that explores the Great Port Chicago Explosion athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaIphGJt5NU.

Book Review: Brown Girl Dreaming

BROWN GIRL DREAMING by Jacqueline Woodson has been named the 2014 National Book Award winner for young people’s literature.

Written in verse, this inspiring memoir traces Woodson’s life as an African American child growing up during the turbulent 1960s and 70s. From her experiences with the Civil Rights Movement to her religious upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness, readers get a glimpse into the life of an ordinary child that will grow up to be an extraordinary voice for a generation.

Through short powerful poems, readers become immersed in Woodson’s world. Many children will empathize with her struggles with reading and writing.

BROWN GIRL DREAMING would be a wonderful addition to a literature circle exploring the lives of well-known authors. It would also be an excellent shared experience for a class exploring the genre of autobiography, biography, and memoir.

This three-time Newbery Honor author has written some extra-ordinary books for young people. Use this memoir to jumpstart an exploration of all her works such as LOCOMOTION, FEATHERS, and AFTER TUPAC AND D FOSTER.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/. Her website contains a useful research guide providing helpful hints for conducting inquiries related to the topics associated with her books.

Publisher ARC used for review

Book Review: Voices from the March on Washington

VOICES FROM THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON by J. Patrick Lewis and George Ella Lyon is a powerful poem collection providing readers with a wide range of perspectives on this historic day. 

The poems in this book will transport youth fifty years into the past. Although many books chronicle the events of August 28, 1963, few capture the emotions of the experience. Through poetry, readers become immersed in the hope, pride, and excitement of the march.

From analyzing the inspiring title page photograph to discussing the impact of individual poems, the possibilities for classroom activities related to the Civil Rights Movement are endless.

Use the poems to jumpstart activities. When Langston Hughes is mentioned, bring out his poems to extend the experience. For more about Langston Hughes, go to http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/langston-hughes. When poets talk about Jim Crow, show photos reflecting racial segregation. For ideas, go tohttp://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/primarysourcesets/civil-rights/.

Beyond the poems, the book’s introduction provides an excellent overview to the time period and context of event. In addition, the guide at the end of the book includes biographical notes about the key people mentioned in the book along with additional resources to extend the reading experience.

Add this book to the growing collection of high-quality works associated with the Civil Rights Movement in America.

NetGalley ARC used for review