We March

Author & Illustrator:   Shane W. Evans
Publisher:  Roaring Brook Press
Publication Year:   2012
Location: Knox County Public Library- Lawson McGhee

Awards:   Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, Charlotte Zolotow Award / Highly Commended, Jane Addams Award, Kirkus Reviews Best Books, Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens

Summary:  In August 1963, an African American family wakes up early to get ready to march. They pray for strength, make signs, and board buses heading for Washington DC. They walk with people of all kinds and sing. They are filled with hope and lean on each other. They march for justice and freedom. Evan's full-page paintings are beautiful and match the simple text perfectly.

Classroom Ideas: A classroom study of the Civil Rights movement and the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

Extras: author's note talking about the march where MLKJr. made his most historic speech

The Great Migration: Journey to the North

Author: Eloise Greenfield
Illustrator: Jan Spivey Gilchrist 
Publisher:  Amistad
Publication Year:   2011
Location: Knox County Public Library- Lawson McGhee

Awards:   Coretta Scott King Award honor, Booklist Editor's Choice, ALSC Notable

Summary:  These poems are a person account of Eloise Greenfield's family as they migrated north from North Carolina to Washington DC in the early 1900s. The poems are poignant, telling the story of saying goodbye to everything they knew and then trying to have a fresh start in a new place.  The illustrations are a beautiful collage of oil paintings and actual photographs.

Classroom Ideas: A welcome addition to any classroom study of Jim Crow laws and the civil rights movement.

Extras: An author's introduction that explains her family's story and a collected bibliography of other resources on the time period.

You Never Heard of Willie Mays?

Author: Jonah Winter
Illustrator:   Terry Widener
Publisher:  Schwartz & Wade
Publication Year:   2013
Location: Knox County Public Library- Powell

Awards:   Booklist Top Ten, Publisher's Weekly & Kirkus starred reviews,

Summary:  "You never heard of Willie Mays?! THE Willie Mays?! Oh, geez, where to begin?" As accessibly written as any non-fiction I've ever read, this book tells the story of the life of Willie Mays starting as a kid in 1941. Willie was a natural and he grew up to play pro ball in the Negro League and then finally in the major leagues for the New York Giants. After serving in World War II, Mays returned to play on TV and show America that a black player could be one of the best to ever play the game. The conversational tone would appeal to any child reader who's interested in baseball.

Classroom Ideas: classroom studies of civil rights, segregation, World War II

Extras: Detailed facts given in small green "tickets" included within the text, glossary, resources, quotations, author's note, lenticular cover

We are the Ship: Te Story of Negro League Baseball

Author & Illustrator:   Kadir Nelson
Publisher:  Hyperion
Publication Year:   2008
Location: Knox County Public Library- Powell

Awards:  Coretta Scott King Award, NYT Best Illustrated; Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, School Library Journal, Hornbook, & Kirkus starred reviews 

Summary:  This is a very text-heavy book that tells the history of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s to the decline in the 1940s. The voice is that of someone who lived through the time period and is telling memories of the times. Each chapter is named for an inning in the game. The book is illustrated with breathtaking oil paintings that are reminiscent of Norman Rockwell's style. The emotion and affection for the game and the heroes of the League are evident in the beautiful paintings. My favorite is the full spread entitled "Night Game." 

Classroom Ideas: This book would be an excellent resource during the study of segregation and civil rights. I can see it appealing to many boys who love baseball and don't know as much about the history of the Negro League.

Extras: The book begins with quotations from famous players and a foreward by Hank Aaron. It ends with an author's note from Nelson about his interest and research along with a Bibliography and Index.

I Have a Dream

Author: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Illustrator:   Kadir Nelson
Publisher:  schwartz & wade books
Publication Year:   2012
Location: Knox County Public Library- Powell

Awards:   Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, Starred review Kirkus

Summary:  The familiar timeless words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "dream" speech are beautifully illustrated with Nelson's oil paintings. The paintings are stately and striking. It's hard to choose a favorite, but I gasped at the two page spread of a sunrise in the mountains and loved the panels of the seasons across the country.

Classroom Ideas: Obviously, this would work for a classroom study of civil rights or to celebrate MLKJr. Day. There is also an LA objective about understanding the audience of a speech.