Coretta Scott King Awarded Books

	The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth, &Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore Nelson, V. M., & Christie, R. G. (2015). The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books. This story is about a boy and his father who open the first bookstore dedicated to educating African Americans. Mr. Michaux dedicated his time, money, and effort to buy a bookstore that could serve his Harlem community and his son, Lewis, helped his dad at the store. During the time of the equal rights movement Lewis meets Malcolm X and is inspired by his words and speeches. Lewis begins to understand that his father was right that books will allow people the freedom to understand and gain knowledge of the past to better their own lives.
	Black Cat Myers, C. (1999). Black Cat. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. This story is about a wondering black cat who walks all around the city streets. The cat goes to several places that most people don’t go and jumping on top of cars, walking on rooftops and signs, and cross across the concrete playgrounds. The cat isn’t afraid to walk down into the subway stations and hunts for mice and the giant rats. During the book the narrator keeps asking, “Is there a place of your own? Where’s your home?” The cat answers, “Anywhere I roam.” It’s a creative book with a mix of different medias used to present the book.
	Firebird Copeland, M., & Myers, C. (2014). Firebird. New York, NY: Penguin Group. The book is about a ballerina Misty Copeland, who shows a young girl how she can dance and transform herself from a fragile girl to a beautiful confident young woman. This young girl and Misty go through ballet lessons and which strengthens a young girls’ confidence which allows the her to rise for the ashes of self-pity and become a strong and beautiful phoenix flying and leaping through the air becoming a great ballerina.
	Duke Ellington Pinkney, A. D., & Pinkney, J. B. (1998). Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and his Orchestra. New York, NY: Scholastic. This story is about the life of Duke Ellington and how he became a talented master maestro. A young Duke began to play the piano at a young age but as child he wanted to do something else until he heard another piano player come up with a tune that sparked an interest in Duke. That spark ignited a musical talent which allowed him to form a band, and he started playing at hole in the one dives and high-end music joints. He was the first African American who played at the Carnegie Hall on January 23, 1943. This story will offer a great insight in the life of Duke Ellington and the illustrations will capture the interests of every reader.
	Freedom Summer Wiles, D., & Lagarrigue, J. (2001). Freedom Summer. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. This story is about two boys of different races who are best friends regardless of race. The boys do everything together as much as they can, but unfortunately John Henry who is African American can’t do what Joe can do, because of his race and the segregation laws. Even though, the laws don’t allow them to do the same things it doesn’t stop them for being friends. Both boys see past their color and race and just enjoy each other’s company. The strength of their friendship helps them see past the hate and segregation.
	I Have a Dream: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. King, M. L., Jr. (2012). I Have a Dream. New York, NY: Schwartz & Wade Books. This book illustrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech, “I Have a Dream.” His speech dictates how he has a dream about black boys and girls will hold the hands with white boys and girls without hate or fear. How he believed the true meaning of the nations creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” He dreams about a world where everyone can live in a nation where no one is judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. The story is created to allow young children to understand the true meaning of freedom and about Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech.
	Martin’s Big Words Rappaport, D., & Collier, B. (2001). Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. This story about a young Martin Luther King Jr. who learns that he is just as good as anyone. Through the teachings of the Bible and his father’s words he strove to minister his big words and tell everyone can be great. He followed the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi who said “love,” when others would say “hate.” King believed that the people of the world will have to find a way to live together peacefully. He would go around and walk, talk, sing, and pray for those who fought to get equal rights and banish segregation forever. Many people still remember Martin Luther King Jr’s words of hope and love for the people which ended segregation.
	The Patchwork Quilt Flournoy, V., & Pinkney, J. (1985). The Patchwork Quilt. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers. This story is about a young girl, Tanya, who bonds with her grandmother and mother over a patchwork quilt. Tanya learns from her grandmother that the patchwork quilt tells a story about a person’s life. Tanya’s grandmother uses fabric from different family members’ clothing that they either tore or grew out of. Grandmother becomes ill and cannot sew, so Tanya began to learn how to cut fabric and sew patches to help complete her grandmother’s quilt. When grandmother gets better she finishes the quilt and gives the quilt to Tanya in honor of all the hard work.
	Uncle Jed’s Barbershop Mitchell, M. K., Ransome, J., & Chomowicz, L. (1993). Uncle Jed's Barbershop. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. This story is about a girl who has fond memories of her dear Uncle Jed who happened to be a barber. As she was growing up the young girl became very sick and needed an operation to make her feel better. Her dear uncle was the only one in the family who had enough money, because he was saving his money to achieve his dream of owning his own barbershop. Uncle Jed gladly gave the money to his favorite niece’s operation, because he felt family was more important than money and he could always save up again. Throughout the story Uncle Jed faced financial hardships but he eventually opened up his dream barbershop, and his dear niece was there for him. Uncle Jed’s dreaming and hard work inspired her to never stop dreaming.
	Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys Howard, E. F., & Lewis, E. B. (1999). Virgie Goes to school with Us Boys. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. This story is about a young girl, Virgie, who dreams about going to school with her brothers. She is eager to learn but everyone thinks she can’t walk 7 miles to school and be away from her mother and father for a week. The story takes place during the time of where slaves were released by Abraham Lincoln. Her parents thought about what they had to do and decided that it was Virgie’s time to get an education and learn for it’s a better place.