Books
Books marked with an asterisk are discussed in greater detail within my unit.
*Greenfield, Eloise. Grandpa's Face. New York: Philomel Books, 1988.
This story explores the warm relationship between a young girl and her
grandfather. Provides motivation for "walk-talks" with older person.
33*Hamilton Virginia. Cousins. New York: Philomel Books, 1990.
Examines both negative and positive relationships involved in a large extended
family.
*Hamilton, Virginia. Drylongso. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1997.
A young boy helps a "dust bowl" family fight against the devastation of drought.
*Hamilton Virginia. The People Could Fly. New York: Scholastic Inc., 1985.
Retold African American folk tales. Use to emphasize oral tradition.
*Virginia, Hamilton. Plain City. New York: Scholastic Inc., 1998.
Follows a young girls search for the father who abandoned her. Though geared for
slightly older students, third graders can relate to the issues involved.
*Hamilton, Virginia. Second Cousins. New York: Scholastic Inc., 1993.
Continuation of issues raised in Cousins.
*Mathis, Sharon Bell. The Hundred Penny Box. New York: Puffin Books, 1975.
A wonderfully warm story of a young boy's relationship with his great, great aunt.
*Porter, Connie. Meet Addy: An American Girl. Middleton, WI: Pleasant Co.
Publication, 1994.
Though they were forced to leave her brother and sister behind, Addy escapes from
slavery with her mother after her father is sold to another plantation.
Porter, Connie. Addy Learns a Lesson: A School Story. Middleton, WI: Pleasant Co. Publication, 1993.
Free in Philadelphia, Addy goes to school where she learn about life away from
slavery.
Porter, Connie. Addy's Surprise: A Christmas Story. Middleton, WI: Pleasant Co.
Publication, 1993.
Addy and her Mother celebrate Christmas with generosity and the return of her
father.
Porter, Connie. Happy Birthday, Addy!: A Springtime Story. Middleton, WI: Pleasant
Co. Publications, 1994.
Addy chooses Independence Day as the day of her birth as the family continues
working for the reunion of all its members.
Porter, Connie. Changes for Addy: A Winter Story. Middleton, WI: Pleasant Co.
Publications, 1994.
Mixed with sadness, this story tells us how Addy's mother, father, brother, and
sister are finally reunited.
*Ringgold, Faith. Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky. New York: Crown
Publishers, Inc., 1992.
Cassie's imaginary flight connects her with Harriet Tubman and a first hand tour of the
Underground Railroad.
*Ringgold, Faith. Dinner at Aunt Connie's House. New York: Hyperion Books for
Children, 1993.
Melony and her cousin Lonnie meet twelve famous African American woman who
come to life from the paintings of Aunt Connie.
*Ringgold, Faith. Tar Beach, New York: Dragonfly Books, 1996.
Cassie again flies, this time escaping from the summer heat. There is a related
|
"story
|
quilt" with the same title.
Taylor, Mildred. The Friendship. New York: Bantam Skylark, 1987.
Involves characters from Roll of Thunder. Spurred on by his racist friends, white store
owner, Mr. Wallace, shoots an older African American friend for calling him
|
by his
|
first name. Shows deep anger and hatred.
Taylor, Mildred. The Gold Cadillac. New York: Bantam Skylark, 1987.
An African American family driving from Chicago to Mississippi in a fancy new
Cadillac get face the anger and hatred which their new car attracts from much of the
rural population.
Taylor, Mildred. Mississippi Bridge. New York: Bantam Skylark, 1990.
Involves characters from Roll of Thunder. Brief encounters among blacks and
|
whiles
|
as they wait for the bus at Wallace's store tell us much about life in Mississippi during
the early 1930's. Fate causes a strange twist in this story's
|
|
conclusion.
|
*Taylor, Mildred. Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry. New York: Puffin Books, 1976.
Through the eyes of a nine year old girl, we gain a vivid picture of black-white
relations in rural Mississippi during the early 1930's. Illustrates strengths in an
extended family.
Hamilton, Virginia. Song of the Trees. New York: Bantam Skylark, 1988.
Chronicles the Logan's fight to save some trees on their land which an unscrupulous
lumber attempts to remove.
Hamilton Virginia. The Well: David's Story. New York: Dial Books, 1995.
Cassie's father David is a young boy in this story. During a drought, the Logan family
has the only functioning well. Though they share with both their black and white
neighbors, Charlie Simms's hatred of African Americans puts the family in danger.
This hatred from the Simms family is seen again in Roll of Thunder, with the
exception of Jeremy Simm's sincere friendship with the Logan children.
Internet Sites
The sites listed here are only a few of those available on topics related to this unit. I have listed them because they were valuable or interesting.
"The American Girl Collection." Pleasant Company. (american girl.com/catalogue/ agcollection.htm).
It is amazing how much commercial American Girl information is available here. There are magazines, cafes, birthday parties, luncheons and teas, a musical you can see, and more, all available at American Girl Place in Chicago or by making a simple phone call or linking to the correct page.
"The Best of Young Adult Literature" Netscape Navigator Gold.
(http://mcia.com/~mayer/indexroft.htm).
Contains a great deal of information on Mildred Taylor's Roll of Thunder. Material talks about author, setting, historical background, discussion questions, and other topics. There are links to other sites.
"Faith Ringgold." (1997-98). Art in Context Center for Communications and Faith
Ringgold. (artincontext.com/artist/ringgold).
You can find images of many of her "story quilts," biographical material, a song with
words and music ("Any1CanFly"), and a story to print out.
"Voices from the Gaps: Women Writers of Color." University of Minnesota.
(voices.cla.umn.edu).
Though not all authors I used were listed, those that were contained useful
information. There are also links which lead to more information on women writers.