Unaccustomed to attention, Rosa Parks (1913-2005) was an unlikely heroine of the Civil Rights movement. Yet on December 1, 1955 when she refused to relinquish her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, she set in motion events that she would not have dreamed possible. In her own words, this autobiography is a window into history and into… Continue reading Rosa Parks: My Story
I read Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges as a part of my research for Half-Truths. I came across a photograph of Norman Rockwell's painting depicting Ruby's brave integration of her Louisiana elementary school. I saw the original "The Problems We All Live With" at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Ma. The huge painting of the white guards escorting the… Continue reading Two Outstanding Picture Books for African American History Month
When Augusta Scattergood's debut novel came out at the beginning of this year, I blogged about the story behind the story. Now it's time for a review of the book itself. Glory Be (Scholastic, 2012) spans two weeks in the summer of 1964 when Gloriana Hemphill turns twelve. In these eye-opening weeks, Glory becomes aware of… Continue reading Giving Away Glory Be- Part II
Many of you know that ever since the Lord brought Joyce Hostetter and I together four years ago at Mid-South Reading and Writing Institute, we've collaborated together in several different ways. We've co-taught at NWRESA and NCAIS; we've co-presented "Is there a Children's Book in You?" three times at NCCAT and are about to teach there once again as well… Continue reading Meet my First Guest Blogger: Joyce Hostetter