The biography explores the remarkable journey of Ida B. Wells, who was born into slavery in 1862 and emerged as a pioneering journalist and activist for Civil Rights. It highlights her significant contributions and enduring legacy, showcasing her courage and determination in the fight for justice. Authored by Coretta Scott King Honoree Lesa Cline-Ransome, this middle-grade book serves as an inspiring tribute to Wells' life and achievements.
Henry David Thoreau, Frederic Tudor, and the Pond Between
The narrative explores the lives of Henry David Thoreau and businessman Frederic Tudor, highlighting their contrasting perspectives against the backdrop of a transforming society. Through lyrical prose, the book delves into themes of nature, entrepreneurship, and the impact of industrialization, offering insights into their unique contributions and the era they inhabit. This poignant tale captures the essence of their journeys and the broader implications of their choices in a rapidly evolving world.
The narrative follows an enslaved young man who harnesses his literacy skills to enlighten his peers about the quest for freedom. Through his determination and courage, he becomes a beacon of hope, inspiring others to challenge their circumstances. The book is richly illustrated, enhancing the emotional impact of his journey and the importance of education as a tool for liberation.
Set in the 1870s, the narrative follows a Black family's challenging wagon journey westward, driven by their quest for freedom in Nebraska. As they navigate the dangers of the frontier, the story explores themes of resilience, hope, and the pursuit of a better life against the backdrop of a tumultuous period in American history.
Brassy, smokey, melodious. There's nothing like the saxophone. This incredible work from the award-winners behind Before She was Harriet includes a poster of jazz music's greatest talents. You may think that the story of the saxophone begins with Dexter Gordon or Charlie Parker, or on a street corner in New Orleans. It really began in 1840 in Belgium with a young daydreamer named Joseph-Antoine Adolphe Sax—a boy with bad luck but great ideas. Coretta Scott King Honoree Lesa Cline-Ransome unravels the fascinating history of how Adolphe's once reviled instrument was transported across Europe and Mexico to New Orleans. Follow the saxophone's journey from Adolphe's imagination to the pawn shop window where it caught the eye of musician Sidney Bechet and became the iconic symbol of jazz music it is today. Deflty retold, this history is paired with the gorgeous artwork of James E. Ransome, including an attention-grabbing poster of iconic jazz musicians you can find inside the jacket. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
An interracial friendship between two teenaged girls goes tragically wrong in this powerful historical novel set in the Jim Crow South.For Lamb follows a family striving to better their lives in the late 1930s Jackson, Mississippi. Lamb’s mother is a hard-working, creative seamstress who cannot reveal she is a lesbian. Lamb’s brother has a brilliant mind and has even earned a college scholarship for a black college up north-- if only he could curb his impulsiveness and rebellious nature.Lamb herself is a quiet and studious girl. She is also naive. As she tentatively accepts the friendly overtures of a white girl who loans her a book she loves, she sets a off a calamitous series of events that pulls in her mother, charming hustler uncle, estranged father, and brother, and ends in a lynching.Told with nuance and subtlety, avoiding sensationalism and unnecessary brutality, this young adult novel from celebrated author Lesa Cline-Ransome pays homage to the female victims of white supremacy.A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
"The story of Henry David Thoreau's time at Walden Pond is contrasted with businessman Frederic Tudor's scheme to cut 180 tons of ice from Walden Pond and transport it to India"-- Provided by publisher
He was born "Black, poor, and lucky." The glowing story of "Satchmo"—the great jazz musician, Louis Armstrong. Louis Armstrong has been called the most important improviser in the history of jazz. Although his New Orleans neighborhood was poor in nearly everything else, it was rich in superb music. Young Louis took it all in, especially the cornet blowing of Joe "King" Oliver. But after a run-in with the police, 11-year-old Louis was sent away to the Colored Waif’s Home for Boys where he became a disciplined musician in the school’s revered marching band. Ultimately, he was to travel the world from Chicago to Paris and would transform jazz through his improvised singing ("scatting") and masterful trumpet playing. He played with Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and other jazz greats of his day. Armstrong was the first African-American man to host a national radio show, and the first jazz musiciain to write an autobiography. This is a joyful tribute to the virtuoso musician and buoyant personality who introduced much of the world to jazz. The author's note includes a detailed biography and resources to learn more about Louis Armstrong and jazz.
The chapter book series highlights the remarkable stories of women who faced challenges and overcame obstacles through resilience and determination. Each installment celebrates their contributions and the impact they made, encouraging young readers to find strength in their own voices and actions. Inspired by the themes of empowerment and persistence, the series aims to inspire a new generation of girls to stand up and speak out.
Set in 1940s Chicago, the story follows nine-year-old Clem as he grapples with the aftermath of his father's death in the Port Chicago Disaster. Faced with the challenges of loss and family struggles, Clem's journey explores themes of resilience and the impact of tragedy on a young boy's life, highlighting his efforts to cope with grief and find hope amidst adversity.