I have been pleasantly surprised with the variety and number of books by women authors which in some way touch upon the African American family. I have narrowed those which I will use down to the four female authors whom I have discussed, because generally their work is exemplary, and because they allow me to develop my focus on women. I have two more stories which I will use, because they relate well to my unit and carry messages which are important to my students. I will not focus as much attention on the author of these books, primarily because of time constraints. Any others which I discover will be used. Teachers who follow my general objectives will have their own favorites to include.
Grandpa's Face is a short picture book by Eloise Greenfield which can be read early in the year. Most students will be able to read it independently, after I read it orally. In the story, Tamika and Grandpa often take talk-walks together and talk about things they see and feel and remember. The rest of the story is relatively unimportant. The illustrations are great, but the beauty of the story lies in the relationship between Tamika and Grandpa as expressed in their talk-walks. I will ask students to take a talk-walk with an adult member of their family. They will be asked to write or retell any part of the talk-walk they wish to share with the rest of us. Perhaps, they will be inspired to do it again. (Eloise Greenfield also has written a number of poems which focus on family members.)
Michael's great-great-aunt Dew is a hundred years old. She has a hundred penny box given to her by her late husband. It contains a penny for every year she has lived. Michael loves to count the pennies and, as he stops at a specific penny, listens to the stories she tells about herself and her family, his family. She declares that the box is "her" and anyone who takes her hundred penny box takes her. That is exactly where the problem in The Hundred Penny Box by Sharon Bell Mathis arises. Michael's mother does not understand or appreciate Aunt Dew. She is burdened with caring for her and views her possessions as clutter which she often throws out. Michael, who seems to understand Aunt Dew's need to hold on to the past, hides some of her things so his mother will not dispose of them. He realizes the gravity of the situation when Mother says the penny box must go. The problem is never truly resolved. At the end it is difficult to tell if Aunt Dew will live to one hundred and one, the year when Michael will provide the penny, or even to the next day. Though an atmosphere of sadness hangs over this story, it illustrates the kindness and caring, in the form of Michael, that students need to recognize. It also emphasizes the importance of past and those who convey and preserve it. Michael is aware of this, his mother is not.
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There are enough copies in our library for each student to read the story independently before I read it to them orally. Most can handle its content by early spring. As I read it orally, I will direct discussion around themes I have mentioned, asking students to relate various elements to their own experiences and to stories we have read, most of which show an understanding and respect for older members of the family.