Wade Hudson

I have other scholastic readers on my shelf 

Light Paperback (1 lb or less)

New York

Five Bold Freedom Fighters (level 4)

Offers brief profiles of five African American activists who made important contributions to the civil rights movement--Richard Allen, Harriet Tubman, Marry Church Terrell, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Medgar Evers.

Scholastic Reader: Great Black Heroes: Five Bold Freedom Fighters

201fb559-8773-4b08-be6b-28268bc70793-0

No Easy Walk to Freedom

Nelson Mandela, one of the most famous freedom fighters in the world, is a powerful symbol of hope for oppressed people everywhere.This is his story, revised and updated.Nelson Mandela hardly needs an introduction. However, this powerful biography provides an in-depth look at the man who grew up in a rural village in South Africa under racist apartheid rule--a regime he ultimately helped overthrow. Denenberg explores the history of South Africa and its often violent struggle for civil rights, while tracing Mandela's role in that history. Lawyer, leader of the African National Congress, political prisoner who spent 26 years in jail, president--no one else has had such enormous influence on his fellow South Africans . . . or his fellow human beings.

Nelson Mandela

c007cfa9-eebd-452a-a636-f4c941a08549-1

Sally M. Walker

Describes the life and accomplishments of baseball star Jackie Robinson, who became the first African American in twentieth-century major-league baseball.

Jackie Robinson

b9f8823b-1f86-4bec-8dd8-dd7409d093d2-1

Irene Smalls

As a mother and son explore their neighborhood, they try various ways of walking--from giant steps and reggae steps to criss cross steps and backwards steps.

Jonathan and His Mommy

8d09efed-2a5e-4d5b-9487-8e380fc3d5d5-1

Mary E. Lyons

The Story of Harriet Jacobs

Based on the true story of Harriet Ann Jacobs, Letters from a Slave Girl reveals in poignant detail what thousands of African American women had to endure not long ago, sure to enlighten, anger, and never be forgotten.

Harriet Jacobs was born into slavery; it's the only life she has ever known. Now, with the death of her mistress, there is a chance she will be given her freedom, and for the first time Harriet feels hopeful. But hoping can be dangerous, because disappointment is devastating. Harriet has one last hope, though: escape to the North. And as she faces numerous ordeals, this hope gives her the strength she needs to survive.

Letters from a Slave Girl

7dc91c0c-ad7b-4996-a988-1752b9fecf73-1

Jeri Watts

Taking things in stride is not easy for Kizzy Ann, but with her border collie, Shag, stalwart at her side, she sets out to live a life as sweet as syrup on cornbread. In 1963, as Kizzy Ann prepares for her first year at an integrated school, she worries about the color of her skin, the scar running from the corner of her right eye to the tip of her smile, and whether anyone at the white school will like her. She writes letters to her new teacher in a clear, insistent voice, stating her troubles and asking questions with startling honesty. The new teacher is supportive, but not everyone feels the same, so there is a lot to write about. Her brother, James, is having a far less positive school experience than she is, and the annoying white neighbor boy won’t leave her alone. But Shag, her border collie, is her refuge. Even so, opportunity clashes with obstacle. Kizzy Ann knows she and Shag could compete well in the dog trials, but will she be able to enter? From Jeri Watts comes an inspiring middle-grade novel about opening your mind to the troubles and scars we all must bear — and facing life with hope and trust.

Kizzy Ann Stamps

60a6ac6d-7ecc-4573-a470-c783a747b722-1

Kathryn Lasky

I have other CANDLEWICK biographies available on my shelf, and other books available by this author.

The Story of Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet

"Lasky shows not only the facts of Wheatley's life but also the pain of being an accomplished black woman in a segregated world." -- Booklist 

In 1761, a young girl was sold to the Wheatley family in Boston, who named her Phillis after the slave schooner that had carried her. Kidnapped from her home in Africa and shipped to America, she'd had everything taken from her-her family, her name, and her language. But Phillis had a passion to learn. Amid the tumult of the Revolutionary War, Phillis Wheatley became a poet and ultimately had a book of verse published, establishing herself as the first African- American woman poet this country had ever known.
Back matter includes an author's note, an illustrator's note, sources, and an index.

A Voice of Her Own: Candlewick Biographies

41d6c34f-a4fd-4df4-a1c2-23b80433b8e2-1

Jean Marzollo

In commemoration of his peaceful fight for freedom and change, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday is celebrated across the nation. Marzollo's simple writing style combines with Pinkney's engaging illustrations in this moving introduction to an American hero, created just for younger readers. Full-color illustrations throughout. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King

ee39ac2c-0cab-4298-9b67-9b2ac76cdabd-1

Kekla Magoon

I have the matching book available further down my bookshelf. Look for the companion book called The Rock and the River.

In the aftermath of Dr. King's assassination, Chicago fourteen-year-old Maxie, against everyone's wishes, longs to join the Black Panthers, and is soon caught up in the violence of anti-war and civil rights demonstrations.

Fire in the Streets

0c15a003-0439-4271-a89c-daf10d9f4106-1

Shelley Pearsall

I have other books available by this author

Dragged from his bed one night by a fellow slave, eleven-year-old Samuel finds himself on an unexpected, dangerous, and frightening journey north along the Underground Railroad on his way to find freedom in Canada. Reprint.

Trouble Don't Last

30af01f5-3345-47a5-9dfa-f41d6200c8fb-1

Mildred D. Taylor

Book 3 in a series. I have other books by this author on my bookshelf!

Cassie Logan, a young black woman in 1940s Mississippi, becomes caught up in a tense confrontation between blacks and whites--three days of turmoil and unrest that will change her life forever. Reprint. Coretta Scott King Award.

The Road to Memphis

5eff7f23-f0d7-4377-8624-06c825a7a4e7-1

Young Daniel Arabus and his mother are slaves in the house of Captain Ivers of Stratford, Connecticut. By law they should be free, since Daniel's father fought in the Revolutionary army and earned enough in soldiers' notes to buy his family's freedom.



But now Daniel's father is dead, and Mrs. Ivers has taken the notes from his mother. When Daniel bravely steals the notes back, a furious Captain Ivers forces him aboard a ship bound for the West Indies--and certain slavery. Even if Daniel can manage to jump ship in New York, will he be able to travel the long and dangerous road to freedom?

Jump Ship to Freedom

aefc7e74-9d12-486d-bad7-83a44e52689c-1

Sharon M. Draper

Book 3 in a trilogy. I have other books available by this same author.

Recovering from the recent suicide of her ex-boyfriend, senior class president Keisha Montgomery finds herself attracted to a dangerous, older man.

Darkness Before Dawn

f92ca262-95cb-45c7-8bd6-794847eddcba-1

Eloise Greenfield

Bedtime stories with African-American characters and themes 

A collection of poems exploring the sounds, sights, and emotions enlivening a black neighborhood during the course of one evening.

Night on Neighborhood Street

0afa6b17-a9df-4865-be10-1dcb749250ae-1

Anna McQuinn

Learn about the library, checking out books, and story time with Lola. Every Tuesday Lola and her mommy go to the library. Lola meets her friends there. They share books and don't have to be quiet all the time. The nice librarian tells stories. There is a big machine that buzzes Lola's books in and out, and she can take any books she wants home with her. Lola and her mommy always stop for a treat on the way home. No wonder Lola loves the library. This gentle story of growing with books encourages little ones to discover the joy of reading as well as getting them ready and excited to visit the library. Sweet, bright illustrations are from a kids-eye point of view. Perfect for a lap read or story time, the first in Lola series, LOLA AT THE LIBRARY is a book young readers will fall in love with.

Lola at the Library

d05bae1f-da32-45fd-a592-4bad5480db89-1

Sharon Dennis Wyeth

An inspiring story that reminds us that beauty is everywhere. Can a city be beautiful if there's trash on the streets and graffiti on the walls? A little girl finds out when her teacher writes the word "beautiful" on the blackboard and the girl decides to look for beauty in her neighborhood. There's the “beautiful” fried fish sandwich at Miss Delphine diner, Mr. Lee’s “beautiful” fruit store, and the “beautiful” smooth stone Old Mr. Sims always carries. The girl soon understands that beautiful means “that when you have it, your heart is happy.” Young readers will enjoy appreciating the beauty of friendship and the power of hope in this encouraging story.

Something Beautiful

8aa47aaf-eb62-4222-aae8-e9fc864d3a43-1

Walter Dean Myers

I have other books available by this author 

A teenage boy accompanies his father, who has recently escaped from prison, on a trip that turns out to be a time of often painful discovery for them both.

Somewhere in the Darkness

ee6db8cf-ed8c-4c68-87bf-9a9f85c09ac4-1

Suyi Davies

Hardcover (1 to 2 lbs)

Pennsylvania

Dive into this revealing portrait of Stranger Things fan favorite Lucas Sinclair and get to know Lucas like never before.
 
The thrilling adventure of Stranger Things continues where season three left off, with fan favorite Lucas Sinclair finally telling his own story in his own words.
 
Lucas has been in the fight against the evil forces in his town since the beginning, but he is tired of feeling like an outsider. When the start of high school presents Lucas with options beyond D&D and being bullied, he wonders if he can be more than invisible. After connecting with one of the few other Black students at school, Lucas starts to learn more about himself apart from his friend group. And he begins to understand himself as a Black teen in Hawkins, which feels unlike anything--in this world or any other--he's ever experienced.
 
From Suyi Davies, contributor to the New York Times bestselling Black Boy Joy, comes an exploration of love and identity within the beloved Stranger Things universe, through the eyes of Lucas Sinclair.

Stranger Things: Lucas on the Line

53f3485a-edd6-4288-b7e4-8dbb71df0059-1

Christopher Paul Curtis

Elijah of Buxton

3a3111b1-0748-468a-8431-ab6dfe6c6975-1

Katherine Applegate

A man I helped to settle here taught me a saying from Africa. I'll bet you would like it: A cow is God with a wet nose. Kek comes from Africa where he lived with his mother, father, and brother. But only he and his mother have survived. Now she's missing, and Kek has been sent to a new home. In America, he sees snow for the first time, and feels its sting. He wonders if the people in this new place will be like the winter—cold and unkind. But slowly he makes friends: a girl in foster care, an old woman with a rundown farm, and a sweet, sad cow that reminds Kek of home. As he waits for word of his mother's fate, Kek weathers the tough Minnesota winter by finding warmth in his new friendships, strength in his memories, and belief in his new country.

Home of the Brave

0cd3ae44-d9fb-46f1-8689-bfcf9f9c9e0e-1

Cathryn Falwell

Enjoy this classic counting book and lively read-aloud featuring a family shopping for food, preparing dinner, and enjoying a meal together.

Count from one to ten--then count again! What does it take to make a feast for ten hungry people?

Shopping, cooking, setting the table--everyone in this loving family pitches in to create a colorful and joyful feast. Lively read-aloud text paired with bright collage illustrations.

Feast For 10

6a413263-11bb-4e5b-aae4-73f2613039ae-1

Anna sings for the president, gets in a terrible tangle with her hair and visits the other side of the city.

Hooray for Anna Hibiscus!

761b9961-8a83-475e-b948-744a914a20ae-1

Patrice Caldwell

Sixteen Stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope

Sixteen tales by bestselling and award-winning authors that explore the Black experience through fantasy, science fiction, and magic. With stories by: Elizabeth Acevedo, Amerie, Patrice Caldwell, Dhonielle Clayton, J. Marcelle Corrie, Somaiya Daud, Charlotte Nicole Davis, Justina Ireland, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Danny Lore, L. L. McKinney, Danielle Paige, Rebecca Roanhorse, Karen Strong, Ashley Woodfolk, and Ibi Zoboi. Evoking Beyoncé's Lemonade for a teen audience, these authors who are truly Octavia Butler's heirs, have woven worlds to create a stunning narrative that centers Black women and gender nonconforming individuals. A Phoenix First Must Burn will take you on a journey from folktales retold to futuristic societies and everything in between. Filled with stories of love and betrayal, strength and resistance, this collection contains an array of complex and true-to-life characters in which you cannot help but see yourself reflected. Witches and scientists, sisters and lovers, priestesses and rebels: the heroines of A Phoenix First Must Burn shine brightly. You will never forget them.

A Phoenix First Must Burn

2a76803a-9d51-4729-b7ff-ca438d92baaf-1

Julius Lester

When gambling debts and greed enter into the Butler household, Pierce Butler decides to host a slave auction and breaks his promise by selling Emma, his most-valued slave and caretaker of his children--a decision that brings about unthinkable consequences.

Browse by categories

Save this search