Who Was Ida B. Wells? tells the inspiring story of a brave African American woman who spoke out against unfair treatment. She was born in 1862, when slavery still existed, and grew up during a time of big changes and challenges. She wrote articles and gave speeches to speak out against racism and the cruel acts of lynching in the South. She also fought for women’s rights and helped start groups that worked for fairness and equality.
Who Was Coretta Scott King?tells the story of a strong and brave woman who worked hard to make the world a fairer place. She grew up in Alabama and did very well in school. She later went to college in Ohio and joined groups that wanted to bring fairness to all people. She married Martin Luther King Jr. and helped him lead the Civil Rights Movement. Even after he passed away, Coretta kept fighting for equal rights.
Beloved, by Toni Morrison is a classic historical fiction novel told from the perspective of Sethe, an escaped slave who would do anything for her family. Sethe’s past is marked by an abundance of horrible things which she cannot forget, including the murder of one of her children. Upon her escape from Sweet Home Farm, she wants nothing more than to live out a peaceful life with her remaining daughter.
The Help features three women who are seemingly ordinary that take an extra step to become extraordinary. It's 1962 and Skeeter has just graduated and returns home to her mother, who is unhappy that Skeeter has a degree but not a husband. Aibileen is a black maid who is raising her next white child out of many, and after the death of her only son, she becomes devoted to make a change to a child that is not hers. Minny, Aibileen’s best friend, is known to have lost many jobs because of her sharp tongue.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (Fiction) is a novel that describes the life of a teenage girl, Xiomara Batista. Xiomara lives in Harlem and can’t seem to be enough for her mother. Her mother is a devout Catholic who wants her children to be as well, which isn’t a problem for her brother Xavier, better known as Twin, or so Xiomara thinks. Twin has always been the better of the two, being confirmed first, and being ridiculously smart. Whereas, Xiomara doesn’t even know if the Catholic faith is right for her.
3 African American women changed the way of science, space, and math forever. Katherine Johnson was the first African American woman to lift into space. The women created history and changed history forever. I absolutely loved this book. The background behind this book is so much. Seeing that three women helped create history is mind blowing. This book is for kids who want to be inspired who can learn that anything is possible if you believe. This 10 out of 10 book is a top favorite of mine.
In The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot explores the history of race and its relation to science, HeLa, and the woman behind the famous cells. While Skloot clearly details the scientific aspects of Henrietta’s story, she makes a nonfiction story read as though it is fiction by transforming a story about cells into one about family. This book was fantastic! It was filled with in-depth scientific accounts, legal research, and history lessons while still being entertaining.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is a memoir. Maya talks about her experiences growing up as an African American. She has to face discrimination and family problems, and tries to find her place in society. Finally, she is able to break certain barriers that society has created. Is she truly able to find her place?
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin is about two main characters, Malik and Karina. This book is fantasy fiction with a little bit of West African culture as inspiration for key parts of the book. The point of view shifts from Malik and Karina throughout the book to show two very different perspectives, one a poor refugee, and the other a princess. Unfortunately, both Malik and Karina need the other to die in order to save someone they love.
The Help is a historical fiction novel set in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s. It revolves around three main characters: Aibileen, Skeeter, and Minny. Skeeter has returned from college determined to become a writer. She causes a stir in her hometown by deciding to interview the black women who work for the white families in the town. At first, only Aibileen will help her, but eventually, more and more gather till there are over ten.
