The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and honors his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.
Andrews, T. (2015). Trombone shorty. New York. Abrams Books for Young Readers.Troy Andrews tells the story of how he learned to love music and earned his nickname. He grew up in New Orleans and wanted to follow in his grandfather and brothers footsteps being a musician. Troy and his friends have their own parades with their "instruments" until one day Troy finds his trombone. He takes it everywhere and plays it for some interesting audiences. He grew up to have his own band. The illustrations are bright, detailed, and evoke emotions from the story. The end of the book has a great Author's Note with actual pictures of young Troy Andrews and his trombone. That is followed by acknowledgements, Illustrator's note, and the dedication and publishing information.
Troy Andrews is world-famous trombone and trumpet player who has his own band in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Beaty, D. (2013). Knock knock. Little, Brown and Company.
Knock knock is the story of a little boy who wakes to his dads knock knock game every day, but then one day his dad is gone. He knows he needs his father to teach him and love him. He leaves a letter for his dad, and finally 2 months later his dad leaves a letter for him. The father gives his son advice to knock on doors he could not. This book has some gret illustrations, and they focus on the feelings of the family.
Daniel Beaty is an American actor, singer, writer, poet, and composer. The story Knock Knock is the tale of his life when his father was in jail. Some of Beaty's other works include Emergence-See and Through the Night.
Bryan, A. (2007). Let it shine. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Let it Shine is a book of three favorite spirituals; "This Little Light of Mine", "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In", and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands". The spirituals are written with two lines per page. There are brightly colored pictures to match each pair of lines. The pictures use bright colors and large graphic shapes. The people in the pictures are just a silhouette. The end of the book has the music sheet for each spiritual.
Ashley Bryan is an American and illustrator best known for ABC of African Poetry and Who Built the Stable?
Firebird
Copeland, M. (2014). Firebird. Penguin Group.
Firebird is written like a poem. A young girl admires a ballerina and the ballerina gives the girl encouragement and told her that she can inspire a younger generation. This is a great mentor text for similes; gray as rain and heavy a naptime.
Misty Copeland was a young ballet dancer which is what inspired her to wright the story. Other works by Misty Copeland are Bunheads and Black Ballerinas.
Heaven
Johsnon, A. (1998). Heaven. Simon & Schuster Children's Book Publishing.
Marley is a young girl who lives in a small town with her loving family and good frinds. She writes letters to her Uncle Jack and his dog Boy and wishes to meet them. She discovers Jack is her real father and the parents who are raising her are her aunt and uncle. She learns to process the shocking news and continue to live a happy life. Should your identity be tied to those who share your blood or those who raise you?
Angela Johnson is an American writers of children's books and poetry. Other works in her collection are The First Part Last and A Sweet Smell of Roses.
Lyons, K. S. (2012). Ellen's broom. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons.
Young Ellen is happy to watch as slavery was eneded and her parents who were former slaves get registered and seen as married according to the law. Hanging in their home is a broom, which was a custom for slaves who married to jump over the broom. Ellen's parents want to make sure their past is not forgotten. So, on the way to the courthouse Ellen carries the broom and decorates it for her mother to hold. While the family recognizes the broom represents slavery and the past, they keep it and treasure it to reflect on their past and celebrate their future. Ellen brings a joy and happiness to her family and the symbol of the broom.
Kelly Starling Lyons is a writer and children's book author. Look for some of her other titles like Going Down Home with Daddy and One Million Men and Me.
Goin' Someplace Special
McKissack, P.C. (2001). Goin' someplace special. Antheneum Books for Young Readers.
Young Tricia Ann wants to travel alone to her favorite place which is the public library. She gets permission from her grandmother and she starts her journey on the bus. This is the first of many reminders that she is treated differently. She sees Jim Crow signs, whites only signs, and other signs that separate people. Everytime Tricia Ann encounters unfairness she is reminded to stay proud and strong by friends in her community. When Tricia Ann arrives at the public library the sign out front says "All are welcome". The illustrations are very detailed and capture the emotion in the story.
Patricia McKissack was an American children's author. The story of young Tricia Ann is the author's own story. This could be used as mentor text on a civil rights lesson.
Mollel, T.M. (1999). My rows and piles of coins. Clarion Books.
Young Saruni would earn coins at the market working with his mother. Saruni kept his coins in a wooden box because he was saving them to buy a bicycle. Whenever he emptied the wooden box he would put the coins in piles and the piles in rows. Saruni would practice riding a bike and riding a loaded bike. When Saruni was going to purchase his father's bicycle, his mother and father returned his box of coins as a reward for helping them. The author's note discusses the money in the story, which is Tanzanian currency. There is also a small glossary of words used in the story. This would be great mentor text about currency, making groups, and saving and counting money.
Tololwa M. Mollel was born in Tanzania and writes books for children. The Orphan Boy and The Flying Tortoise are other titles by Tololwa M. Mollel.
Martin's Big Words by D. Rappaport.
Rappaport, D. (2001). Martin's Big Words. Hyperion Books for Children.
Doreen Rappaport is an award winning author who writes multicultural stories, folk tales, myths, and history. Other titles by Doreen Rappaport are Freedom River and Hellen's Big World: The Life of Hellen Keller.
Thomas, J.C. (2008). The blacker the berry. Amistad.
The Blacker the Berry is a collection of poems. The poems encourage young black boys and girls to be proud and find the beauty within themselves. The poems range from skin tones of very dark black, African Native Amerian, red skin and hair, biscuit brown, and white (not considered black at all). The illustrations in the collection highlight the individual person described in the poem. It is a powerful reminder that everyone is different and special.
Joyce Carol Thomas was an African American poet, playwright, motivational speaker, and author. Some of her other works are Marked by Fire and Bright Shadow.
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