Adler, David A. A Picture Book of Sojourner Truth. Holiday House,1994
An illustrated biography of Sojourner Truth presents the inspirational story of a woman born into slavery, who gained freedom for both her son and herself and who earned fame preaching about the evils of slavery and the rights of women.
Davis, Lucille. Cesar Chavez : a Photo-Illustrated Biography (Read and Discover) Bridgestone Books, 1997.
This book captures the man's 66 years clearly, with a variety of moods captured in the photos. Vocabulary level seems a little big for youngest readers, but generally words like "strike" and "boycott" are nicely defined. Ages 5-up
|
Disalve-Ryan, Dyanne. Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen. William Morrow and
|
Company, 1991.
|
The text and illustrations portray a bustling, friendly group of workers who welcome the young narrator into the caring world of the soup kitchen. Issues are dealt with at and appropriate level for young children. Ages 5-up
Fritz, Jean. Harriet Beecher Stowe and the Beecher Preachers. Putnam Pub Group, 1994.
Uncle Tom's Cabin was America's first protest novel, "the first book ever written against a law" and a runaway bestseller in its time. This biography is less about Stowe's famous book than it is about her life and times as a woman in an eminent family in the mid-19th century.
Gleiter, Jan and Kathleen Thompson. Jane Addams. Milwaukee: Raintree Childrens Books, 1988.
Flexible introductory reader that appeals to 3-5th grade. Reads independently at 5th grade. The realistic story and language along with the child's point of view and stimulating illustrations encourage and hold interest at three levels.
Grant, Matthew G. Jane Addams: Helper of the Poor. Gallery of Great Americans Series. Mankato, MN: Creative Education, 1974.
Simply written for 6-7th grade. Illustrations and simplicity suggest reading aloud with instruction at lower grades.
Hoffman, Mary. Amazing Grace. Magi Publications, 1995.
Grace wishes desperately to win the role of Peter Pan in the class play. Her classmates point out two specific reasons why she is unable to apply for the role. First she is a girl and girls can't be Peter Pan. Second she is black and who ever heard of a black Peter Pan? Rather then give in to stereotypes she follows her dreams. Ages 5-up
Jakoubek, Robert E. Jakoubek, Robert. Horner Matina S. Harriet Beecher Stowe (American Women of Achievement). Chelsea House Pub, 1989.
A biography of the author famous for the antislavery novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," but who wrote other works presenting a clear picture of nineteenth-century New England.
Johnson, Doloras. Now Let Me Fly: The Story of a Slave Family. Antheneum, 1993.
Minna tell the story of her kidnapping in Africa and her lifelong enslavement. It speaks clearly and can be harsh. The illustrations are also dark. The insight one gains into the heart of this woman is lasting. Ages 5-up
Johnston, Tony. The Wagon. William Morrow, 1996.
|
One Carolina morning a child is born into slavery. He grows, and soon is working for the Master from dawn to dark. And as he grows, he dreams that the wagon he's helped build for Master is a glorious chariot of freedom. With the rhythmic cadences of an old-time spiritual, this unforgettable book powerfully evokes the voices of slavery and liberation.
|
Ages 5-up
|
|
Judson, Clara Ingram. City Neighbor: The Story of Jane Addams. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1951.
Simple telling through dialogue and narrative that is independent leisure reading at 7th grade.
Keller, Gail Faithfull. Jane Addams. A Crowell Biography. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1971.
6th grade reading level but highly simplified content.
Kent, Deborah. Jane Addams and Hull-House. Cornerstones of Freedom. Chicago:Childrens Press, 1992.
3rd through 6th grade reading level. Includes photographs.
Larkin, Pat. Signs of Protest (My Community). Raintree/Steck Vaughn., 1995.
When the town has money problems, Edward, the mayor's nephew, helps find a way for people to work together to meet the needs of Parkside Elementary School and the Senior Citizen's Center. Ages 5-up
Lindstrom, Aletha J. Sojourner Truth: Slave, Abolitionist, Fighter for Women's Rights. New York: Messner, 1980
A woman born into slavery, who gained freedom for both her son and herself and who earned fame preaching about the evils of slavery and the rights of women.
McGovern, Ann. The Lady in the Box. Turtle books, 1997.
In Lizzie and Ben's neighborhood, a woman lives in a box, grateful for the warm air that escapes through a vent in the sidewalk. After watching this "lady in a box, ' the brother and sister decide to help her, despite their mother's admonition to never talk to strangers. Ages 5-up
