Art credit: The Underground Railroad by Charles T. Webber
BOOK LIST (to print) -- AFRICAN AMERICANS / SLAVERY
PODCASTS:
Uncle Remus Stories--For years, Joel Chandler Harris' Uncle Remus stories of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox delighted children. Today, they've been deemed 'politically incorrect'. Disney's Song of the South that brought many of them to life is hard if not impossible to come by. You can decide for yourself, but I think they're wonderful. I think we can't measure their influence for good. We should be grateful for that heritage, not bury it. The dialect of the original stories may be difficult for children today, so here is a illustrated version that has been adapted. Or you can read original stories here.
I included this chapter in Stories of Great African-Americans, but I think it's worth re-linking here. 'A Mere Matter of Feelings.' Freedom is a 'feeling'--a good reminder to us today who tend to prefer 'comfort and security' to freedom.
You'll find a number of good options if you're looking for stories of African-Americans in the African-American section in Categories.. A large number of choices have to do with the life of Booker T. Washington because I believe he holds a special interest for young people. Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad is also a children's favorite.
Amos Fortune Free Man by Elizabeth Yates, Newbery Medal Winner-For 8 and older
"When Amos Fortune was only fifteen years old, he was captured by slave traders and brought to Massachusetts, where he was sold at auction. Although his freedom had been taken, Amos never lost his dignity and courage. For 45 years, Amos worked as a slave and dreamed of freedom. And, at age 60, he finally began to see those dreams come true." "The moving story of a life dedicated to the fight for freedom." -- Booklist
For years prior to the Civil War, there had been talk about the slavery issue but not a lot of action. Then, Harriet Beecher Stowe brought the story of slavery up close and personal through Uncle Tom's Cabin. Some say the influence of her story brought on the Civil War. Harriet said, "I could not control the story; it wrote itself!" Longfellow wrote, "It is one of the greatest triumphs in literary history, to say nothing of the higher triumph of its moral effect." There are 3 different versions of Uncle Tom's Cabin in the online library that were adapted for young readers in the Middle Grades section. One of them was adapted by Harriet Beecher Stowe. You'll also find the unabridged version in the High School section.
Amazing Grace-- This is a wonderfully inspiring movie of William Wilberforce showing what one man standing up for what is right can do. He is responsible for abolishing slavery in England. This is a must watch movie.
Gifted Hands by Dr. Ben Carson--I read this years ago before he was a household name. I have never forgotten it. I know there is also a movie, but the book is so much better. "Ben Carson, M.D., works medical miracles. Today, he's one of the most celebrated neurosurgeons in the world. In Gifted Hands, he tells of his inspiring odyssey from his childhood in inner-city Detroit to his position as director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital at age 33. Ben Carson is a role model for anyone who attempts the seemingly impossible as he takes you into the operating room where he has saved countless lives. Filled with fascinating case histories, this is the dramatic and intimate story of Ben Carson's struggle to beat the odds -- and of the faith and genius that make him one of the greatest life-givers of the century." I noticed there is also a children's version, although I haven't read that one.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - For 14 and older."The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it, To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic." (Amazon)
Negro Spirituals--Out of the tragedy of slavery came one of the world's truly great treasures--the Negro Spirituals. For all of their suffering and injustice, you will not find a single word of hatred or revenge. Rather, you find a deep spiritual faith that sustained them through dark years. Chapter 6 of this book contains the stories behind many of the songs. These songs of the heart continue to inspire us today.
I included this chapter in Stories of Great African-Americans, but I think it's worth re-linking here. 'A Mere Matter of Feelings.' Freedom is a 'feeling'--a good reminder to us today who tend to prefer 'comfort and security' to freedom.
You'll find a number of good options if you're looking for stories of African-Americans in the African-American section in Categories.. A large number of choices have to do with the life of Booker T. Washington because I believe he holds a special interest for young people. Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad is also a children's favorite.
Amos Fortune Free Man by Elizabeth Yates, Newbery Medal Winner-For 8 and older
"When Amos Fortune was only fifteen years old, he was captured by slave traders and brought to Massachusetts, where he was sold at auction. Although his freedom had been taken, Amos never lost his dignity and courage. For 45 years, Amos worked as a slave and dreamed of freedom. And, at age 60, he finally began to see those dreams come true." "The moving story of a life dedicated to the fight for freedom." -- Booklist
For years prior to the Civil War, there had been talk about the slavery issue but not a lot of action. Then, Harriet Beecher Stowe brought the story of slavery up close and personal through Uncle Tom's Cabin. Some say the influence of her story brought on the Civil War. Harriet said, "I could not control the story; it wrote itself!" Longfellow wrote, "It is one of the greatest triumphs in literary history, to say nothing of the higher triumph of its moral effect." There are 3 different versions of Uncle Tom's Cabin in the online library that were adapted for young readers in the Middle Grades section. One of them was adapted by Harriet Beecher Stowe. You'll also find the unabridged version in the High School section.
Amazing Grace-- This is a wonderfully inspiring movie of William Wilberforce showing what one man standing up for what is right can do. He is responsible for abolishing slavery in England. This is a must watch movie.
Gifted Hands by Dr. Ben Carson--I read this years ago before he was a household name. I have never forgotten it. I know there is also a movie, but the book is so much better. "Ben Carson, M.D., works medical miracles. Today, he's one of the most celebrated neurosurgeons in the world. In Gifted Hands, he tells of his inspiring odyssey from his childhood in inner-city Detroit to his position as director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital at age 33. Ben Carson is a role model for anyone who attempts the seemingly impossible as he takes you into the operating room where he has saved countless lives. Filled with fascinating case histories, this is the dramatic and intimate story of Ben Carson's struggle to beat the odds -- and of the faith and genius that make him one of the greatest life-givers of the century." I noticed there is also a children's version, although I haven't read that one.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - For 14 and older."The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it, To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic." (Amazon)
Negro Spirituals--Out of the tragedy of slavery came one of the world's truly great treasures--the Negro Spirituals. For all of their suffering and injustice, you will not find a single word of hatred or revenge. Rather, you find a deep spiritual faith that sustained them through dark years. Chapter 6 of this book contains the stories behind many of the songs. These songs of the heart continue to inspire us today.