Multicultural Perspectives

LET IT SHINE
ANDREA DAVIS PINKEY

Detailed descriptions of ten black women who fought for freedom. Each story has a picture representing the famous African American. The stories represent the journey that each women took, and the obstacles that they encountered fighting for freedom. Some of the women represented are: Sojourner Truth, Biddy Mason, Harriet Tubman, and Rosa Parks. A great resource to use during Black History Month or for the students to use as a resource for writing a biography.



SOJOURNER TRUTH'S STEP STOMP STRIDE
ANDREA DAVIS PINKEY AND BRIAN PINKEY

This is a book describing the life of Sojourner Truth. I received this book this year as a nominee for the Charlotte Awards. It was listed as a 3-5 book and was well received by the students who heard it as a read aloud. The book is written on the students level and is easy to understand.  It provoked lots of questions about slavery. She was a woman of power who would not let anyone speak for her. She was a young girl, when she fled from her owners and became free. Ever since she became free, she has been working toward speaking against the right of African Americans.




TAR BEACH
FAITH RINGGOLD

This book is a memoir based on a little girl who lived with her family in the city and spent her
 summer nights on the rooftop of her apartment building. Up on the rooftop she would dream of a world where their would be no prejudice and her mom would have an easier life. They called these buildings, Tar Beach and since rooftops are paved it tar they called it Tar Beach. . The activities that took place on the rooftops were those that take place at a sandy beach such as picnicing, sunbathing, playing cards, etc.



THE PATCHWORK QUILT
VALERIE FLOURNOY

A beautiful book about family and the importance of our culture and traditions. The grandmother wants to make a quilt for her family. The young girl does not understand why she just doesn't buy one from the store. She shows her that each square represents something special about their family. When the grandmother becomes ill, the daughter and granddaughter continue to work on the quilt until is is finished. A great book for building classroom community;have each student create a piece of the quilt that represent them and put it together.