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And Not Afraid to Dare by Tonya Bolden

Book Review by Caroline K. - 5th grade

This book gives a short biography on ten African American women who have made their marks in United States history. Here are there names and occupation of the women the book talks about: Ellen Craft, Escaped Slave; Mary Fields, Pioneer; Charlotte Forten Grimke, Teacher; Ida B. Wells, Journalist; Mary McLeod Bethune, Educator; Clara Hale, Humanitarian; Leontyne Price, Opera Singer; Toni Morrison, Writer; Mae C. Jemison, Astronaut; and Jackie Joyner-Kersee who is an athlete.

There are ten women in this book.  I have picked three to talk about: Ellen Craft, Mary Fields, and Charlotte Forten Grimke.

Ellen Craft was born around 1826 when her mother was just 17.  Ellen's skin is so light you couldn't tell she was African.  When Ellen was just eleven, her master's daughter, Eliza, got married. Ellen's master gave Ellen to ELiza as a gift. When Ellen was twenty she met a man named William Craft.  In 1846 Ellen and William got married.  They were praying for a way out of slavery for awhile and then their prayers were answered with a great plan.  Ellen's skin was so light she could pass as a white person traveling with her slave (William)! The Crafts waited until the Christmas holidays when security was less tight and they ran! Ellen adn William used many different forms of transportation so their path was harder to trace. They encountered many difficulties along the way but they made it.  Ellen made it to freedom.

Charlotte was born free and into a wealthy family.  Charlotte was given her elementary schooling at home by private tutors. Afterwards she was sent to a school in Salem, Massachusetts, where she was the only black student.  Charlotte was a huge supporter of the anti-slavery movement.  Being so close to Boston, she was able to stay aware of dramatic and important movements.  Charlotte, who was now 16, wrote in her journal about many things and kept a journal for a very long time. She also expressed her feelings through her poems (not very many were ever published).  Charlotte devoted two years to teaching former slaves.  Charlotte didn't get married until she was 41.  Charlotte dies in 1914, after a stroke that had kept her in bed for more than a year.

Mary Fields was in one person's words a "6 foot, 200-pound, cigar smoking, whiskey drinking, gun totin' pioneer who settled her arguments with her fists, and once in a while with a six gun." She was born in the early 1830's in Tennessee.  Not much else is known about her childhood or early life though there are many disagreement about how she got to Ohio, but it is known that by 1884 she was 50 and in Toledo, Ohio working as a handyman for an Ursuline convent.  In the early 1880's, Mother Amadeus and four other nuns went to Montana.  Fields was asked to go but decided against it.  In a few months when she heard that Mother Amadeus had gotten sick with pneumonia she decided to go west.  She nursed Mother Amadeus back to health.  She then decided to stay and work with the mission.  Mary Fields died on December 5, 1914.

My favorite part of the book is the section on Leontyne Price.  It goes into so much detail and I feel like I can really relate to her.  I especially like the part where her career really flourishes and she gets parts for different operas all the time.  I like how she surprises everyone with what she can do, just a little black girl from Mississippi.

If you enjoy reading about different cultures and diffrerent times, you will thoroughly enjoy reading this book.

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I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This by Jaqueline Woodson

Book Review by Claire H. - 5th grade

This story is realistic fiction, and has won the Coretta Scott King Award.  It is about two unlikely friends helping each other through tough times, and finding peace within the world of segregation.

In an all black town, a white girl starts coming to school.  Her name is Lena, and Marie and Lena, though it takes some time and fights, become friends.  Lena, though, has a secret.  Her mother died of breast cancer and her sister, dad, and herself live together. Her dad abuses Lena and her sister, and they need to run away.  Marie doesn't want them to though, because she didn't want them to leave her like
                                     her mother had.

I can make a connection to Lena because a few years ago, I had to leave OLL, and at the other school, people made fun of me and called me names like the black people did to Lena, and I know what she was going through.   I recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense, friendship, and reading things that make you feel good combined into one. 

Papa's Mark by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert

Book Review by Isabel U. - 3rd grade

In this book Samuel, the father of Simms, votes for the first time.  This book takes place in 1870.  The father doesn't know how to write, so he practices every night signing his name.  The black people are scared about what will happen to them if they vote.  My favorite part of the book is when Simms gets caught spying on his father.  I would recommend this book for anyone who likes history.

Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.? by Bonnie Bader

Book Review by Cecilia R. - 3rd grade

This troy is about Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life.  He was born in Atlanta, Georgia.  He was a Baptist minister, just like his father.  My favorite part is that he believed in peaceful marches.  Students who like biographies or like Black American history would like this book.

CALL B KIN

Stealing Home: Jackie Robinson, Against the Odds by Robert Burleigh

Book Review by Benjamin F. - 4th Grade

This book tells about the life of Jackie Robinson.  It tells how Jackie was treated unfair because he was black. It also tells of his baseball career.  At the same time, in slow motion, it is showing how he stole home in the first game of the World Series in 1955.  I read this book because I play baseball like Jackie.

If you like baseball, you'll love this book.

CALL  E B ROB

Who was Louis Armstrong? by Yona Zeldis McDonough

Book review by Pascale G.  - 4th grade

This book tells about the life of Louis Armstrong.  When you read this book you feel like you are in the background watching it happen. This book is a great book with all the details from Louis' life from childhood to death.  Being sent to the colored Waifs' Home for Boys was supposed to be punishment, but it gave him his career.  It enriched his life because the home for boys introduced Louis to the life of music. 

I can relate to this book because Louis and I both tried many instruments until we found our favorite.  We both love jazz and music!  Anyone who likes music or jazz will enjoy this book!

CALL B ARM

Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.? by Bonnie Bader

Book review by Matthias P.  - 5th grade

This book is about Martin Luther King, Jr. He was an African American who lived in Atlanta. Martin fights for civil rights and freedom.  Will he be able to get his point across?  My favorite part was when the author explained the "Jim Crow Laws".  
If you like other both books in the "Who Was" series, then you will love this one too!


CALL B KIN

The Moon Over Star by Dianna Hutts Aston

Book review by Olivia H. - 3rd grade

This is a story about how a girl named Mae and her family celebrate the first moon launching. It's 1969 and the first moon launching is today.  Mae and her family are at her grandma's farm.  the only one not excited is Mae's grandpa, who thinks it is a waste of money.

My favorite part is when Mae and her family watch the first men on the moon on TV.  If you like space and poetry, I would highly recommend this book!


                                                                                                                                  CALL E AST

Rosa Parks by Eloise Greenfield

A Book Review by Anna H.  - 3rd grade

This is a story about Rosa Parks.  Rosa didn't like the rules about white and black people so she decided she wanted to change them.  Rosa Parks went to school at an Industrial School for Girls.  She lives in Montgomery, Alabama.  She tries to get on a bus without having to give up her seat to a white person.  She goes to jail and in a couple hours, Mr. Nixon gets her out.  She continues to try to make a difference.

My favorite part of the book is when Rosa and all of the black people were being heroic and walked to work, school and any other place they needed to go.  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about black history. 
  CALL B PAR

Satchel Paige by Lesa Cline Ransome

A book review by Daniel K. - 3rd grade

This book is a very inspiring story of a famous baseball player.  Satchel grew up poor, but played for many baseball teams.  He was one of the best pitchers of his time.  My favorite part of the book is when he made his first no-hitter!    I would recommend this book to anyone who likes baseball.  They will love this book.



CALL:   B PAI 

CHASING LINCOLN'S KILLER

CATCHING FIRE

TUCK EVERLASTING