Culture 2-African American Literature

 

Culture 2- African American Literature

BIBLIOGRAPHY

King, M. L. (2012). I have a dream. Ill. Kadir Nelson. New York, NY: Schwartz &Wade Books. ISBN 9780375858871

PLOT SUMMARY

I Have a Dream is an excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King’s, Jr. infamous speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom delivered on August 28, 1963 (during the Civil Rights Movement). He states that one day the color of our skins will not and should not matter here in our nation. We shall all be treated equal with the same rights as everyone else.

CRYTICAL ANALYSIS

I Have a Dream is a non-fiction, taken place in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Although the setting is never stated, illustrator Kadir Nelson does a phenomenal job with the illustrations completed in oil paint. Readers can clearly see the location of the speech with his flawless illustrations and know by looking at the paintings where the speech was given.  

Dr. Martin Luther King’s, Jr. speech may be a little hard to fully understand being read by children, but Nelson recreates his speech creating a great visual representation of Dr. King, Jr’s. speech. Throughout the book there are certain illustrations are larger than others for example, towards the end of the book as Dr. King Jr’s. speech states, “With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together , knowing that we will be free one day.”, Nelson painted a white and African American holding hands. I believe Nelson’s visual representations throughout the book helps the readers understand the importance and the impact of the Dr. King, Jr’s. speech. His illustrations are almost life like giving the speech its “realness”. Nelson does a great job depicting Dr. King Jr., his children, and others, with the authentic of representation from their hair to facial features.

As Dr. Bernice A. King states, “This beautiful and powerful illustrated edition brings my father’s inspiring message of freedom, equality, and peace to the youngest amongst us-those who will one day carry his dreams forward for everyone.”, gives children the opportunity to become aware of our nation’s history through picture books. 

REVIEW EXCERPT

Kirkus Reviews starred (May 15, 2012) - An award-winning artist captures the passion and purpose of this most notable 20th-century American speech in beautifully realized oil paintings. Nelson begins with the concluding paragraphs spoken on August 28th, 1963, with the Lincoln Memorial standing vigil over the massed assemblage.”

School Library Journal (November 1, 2012) - Gr 2 Up-This splendidly illustrated tribute comes in time to celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of Dr. King's historic speech given on August 28, 1963. The full text is appended, though Nelson has chosen to illustrate just the latter portion, beginning with the words, "I say to you today, my friends, that even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream." The luminous oil paintings employ a variety of techniques-scenes at the Lincoln Memorial have a sweeping impressionistic quality while other spreads employ the artist's signature photorealistic style. From the wraparound jacket featuring a powerful image of Dr. King, Nelson makes good use of the large, square trim size and generous design appropriate to illustrate such a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement.”

CONNECTIONS

These books are great for young readers to learn about The Civil Rights Movement.

Krull, Kathleen. What was the March on Washington? ISBN 9780329971663

Wallmark, Laurie. Dreams of Freedom. ISBN 9780812666915

Harris, Duchess. John Lewis, Civil Rights Leader and Congressman. ISBN 9781532190858

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Pinkney, A. D. (2010). Sit-in: how four friends stood up by sitting down. Ill. Brian Pinkney. New York, NY: Little, Brown & Company. ISBN 9780316070164

PLOT SUMMARY

The Sit-In is about 4 college African American young men in (while segregation was in its prime)1960 who were inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s protest on fighting for racial equality, as they “took a stand by sitting down.” They were ready to end segregation as they sat at a cafe’s counter waiting to be served. Word about what these individuals were doing quickly spread, which encouraged others to do the same. As they continued to fight for racial equality they endured many positive and negative events throughout this nonviolent protest.

CRYTICAL ANALYSIS

In Sit-In, the setting takes place in Greensboro, North Carolina and in many states in the southern part of the United States, which if we were to research this part of history it checks out. Author Andrea Davis Pinkney provides readers with accurate setting and characters of the events that started in 1960 with 4 college African American men. The way Pinkey ties the events of the protest with the setting of the story, “This was the law’s recipe for segregation.” (Davis) helps readers make the connection of the impact of this point in history. One theme or take away from writing this story for children is events or situations may be hard at times, but no matter what, you must stay true to yourself and continue to do what you believe is right, “practicing peace while others showed hatred was tougher than any school test.” (Davis)

Throughout the story most of the text is in black and in regular font, except for a few lines are quoted or bolded to show the importance of those words. After reading the story, I can clear remember, “WHITES ONLY”, BE LOVING ENOUG TO ABSORD EVIL”, and “Combine black with white to make sweet justice.” Andrea Davis and Brian Pinkney offer the opportunity where children can read and learn about the injustice that took place not too long ago.

Brian Pinkey creates a great visual representation of the text with his choice using watercolors and India ink. The unfortunate part of segregation can clearly be seen throughout the story through his illustrations as they are shown sitting separately on the lunch counters. One can almost feel the hatred towards the protesters through Pinkney’s illustrations. I think the choice of using water colors helps creates dramatic facial expressions. This can also be seen on the other characters.

There is a Civil Rights Timeline that is provided for readers at the end of the book and a real photo of the 4 college students that started the sit-in protest.

REVIEW EXCERPT

Horn Book Guide (Fall 2010)  - A colorful narrative full of food references ("At first, they were treated like the hole in a doughnut") recounts the 1960 sit-in at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Watercolor and ink illustrations swirl with energy, capturing both the seriousness and exuberance of the student protesters. Sprinkled throughout are quotes from Martin Luther King Jr., formatted in extra-large typefaces. Reading list, timeline, websites.

School Library Journal (April 1, 2010) - Gr 3-6-Through effectively chosen words, Andrea Pinkney brings understanding and meaning to what four black college students accomplished on February 1, 1960, by sitting down at a Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro, NC. Her repeated phrase, "Their order was simple. A doughnut and coffee with cream on the side," along with other food metaphors, effectively emphasizes the men's determination to undo the injustices of segregation in a peaceful protest, which eventually led up to the 1966 Supreme Court ruling against racial discrimination. With swirling swabs of color that masterfully intertwine with sometimes thin, sometimes thick lines, Brian Pinkney cleverly centers the action and brings immediacy to the pages. Both the words and the art offer many opportunities for discussion. The book concludes with a civil rights time line and an update on the aftermath of the lunch-counter struggle.-Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.

CONNECTIONS

These books are great for young readers to learn about The Civil Rights Movement.

Kittinger, Jo. Rosa’s Bus. ISBN 9781590787229

Shange, Ntozake. Coretta Scott. ISBN 9780061253645

Smith, Sherri. What Is The Civil Rights Movement?. ISBN 9781713724483

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Watson, R. (2017). Piecing Me Together. New York, NY: Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781681191058

PLOT SUMMARY

Opportunities! Jade, an African American who attends a private high school on a scholarship, is given more than enough opportunities to help her get out of living in poverty. As Women to Women, yet another opportunity that Jade does not seem to want to participate in, creates an opportunity of lifetime as she not only thrives in this mentorship program, but helps her mentor along the way.

CRYTICAL ANALYSIS

Piecing Me Together takes place in Portland, Oregon, where Jade lives on the poor side of town with her mom and uncle. Her parents are divorced, as her dad is remarried to a white female. Possible connections can quickly be made with characters of the story as many readers may come from living with one parent, relatives living with them, and seeing the other parent occasionally. Author Watson, depicts the main character of the story as an overweight, and only wears her hair natural on the weekends, African American high school student. Very different from the usual fiction characters we are used to reading about. I believe many readers can relate to Jade in one way or another.

Jade faces a variety of issues in Piecing Me Together, as one would face in real life. She is passed up on an opportunity of a lifetime (studying abroad) and is given instead entered in a mentorship program for students at risk. This comes to light as her friend a poor white girl is given the opportunity instead. Jade believes it is unfair and does not see the reason behind why she has to take part of a mentorship program and feels she takes the backseat on programs because of her race.

Jade finds out that everyone around her especially her mentor, struggles with sticking with their true identity. She realizes she through the help of her mother, counselor, friends, family, and mentor speaking up will take you places. Opportunities will be missed because one was too afraid to speak up.

REVIEW EXCERPT

Booklist (December 1, 2016 (Vol. 113, No. 7) - Grades 8-11. “Who owns the river and the line, and the hook, and the worm?” wonders Jade, a scholarship kid at Portland’s prestigious St. Francis High. Through her first two years of school, she’s had to balance her home life in a poor neighborhood with her life at a school populated mostly by rich white kids. When offered a mentorship for at-risk girls (which includes a full college scholarship), she jumps at the opportunity to learn how to be a successful black woman. However, she soon suspects that her mentor, Maxine, may only have a superficial understanding of Jade’s challenges and that there may be things Jade can teach her. Watson is unafraid to show Jade as a young woman who is resilient and mature for her age, but also plagued by self-doubt. The book itself is a balancing act between class, race, and social dynamics, with Watson constantly undercutting stereotypes and showing no fear in portraying virtues along with vices. The book’s defiance of a single-issue lens will surely inspire discussion and consideration.

School Library Journal (January 1, 2017) “Most young people will relate to Jade's search to find her voice and learn to advocate for herself in appropriate ways. The lack of a romantic lead may leave some young teen readers disappointed, but there is a real, refreshing strength in a fully fleshed-out female character whose story is her own. This is a memorable novel that demonstrates that a happy ending doesn't require a romantic subplot.”

CONNECTIONS

Other great reads such as Piecing Me Together are as follows:

Draper, Sharon. Tears of a Tiger. ISBN 9781428718593

Watson, Renee/Hagan, Ellen. Watch Us Rise. ISBN 9781547600083

Watson, Renee. Some Places More Than Others. ISBN 9781681191102

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Yoon, Nicola. The sun is also a star. (B. Turnip, Narr.; R. Lee, Narr.; D. Hoffman, Narr.). [Audiobook]. New York, NY: Penguin Random House (2016) ISBN 9781524721411

PLOT SUMMARY

The Sun in also a Star is about a Jamaican girl named Natasha, who sees the world as it is. She believes in science and life events can be scientifically proven, one way or another. Natasha and her family are facing deportation back to their native country of Jamaica the same day she meets Daniel. Daniel who is from Korean descent, must continue to live up to his parents’ expectations, but is a hopeless romantic who perceives the world through hopes and dreams. With just a few hours of meeting each other their personal views are tested as they quickly begin to fall for one and other.

CRYTICAL ANALYSIS

We are introduced to Natasha as soon as the story begins set in present day New York City. She is a high school student who is originally from Jamaica. She has lost her accent unlike her mother and father. One may start becoming “Americanized” after living in the states. The author stayed true to the physical description of Natasha. There are plenty of references made throughout the book such as, Daniels father trying to give products to tame Natasha’s hair, where Daniel makes comments on her accent. I noticed how Natasha is the one running around New York City portraying the adult in the family as she frantically looks for a way to stop the deportation of her family. Many times children must grow up a little faster and take on the role of the grown up in the family. This may occur because of lack of knowledge of the country or language barriers.

The author introduces us to Daniel, a high school student who is trying to fulfill his parents’ standards of continuing with higher education and becoming a doctor. The pressure parents but on their children is relatable. Parents mean well and only have the best intentions for their children, but at times they may lose sight on their children’s true passion. Even though Natasha and Daniel are from different ethnicity backgrounds, one factor they have in common is, both families were brought over to the United States for a better life.

Although a love story, there are factual events this story includes such as, the deportation of Natasha and her family. The issue of immigrant families is very real here in the United States. In the end, the universe has plans of its own whether one believes is science or others are dreamers, and it does not judge based on race.

REVIEW EXCERPT

The Horn Book, starred review- “Fresh and compelling.”

Kirkus, starred review – “With appeal to cynics and romantics alike, this profound exploration of life and love tempers harsh realities with the beauty of hope in a way that is both deeply moving and satisfying.”

School Library Journal – “This wistful love story will be adored by fans of Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor & Park.”

CONNECTIONS

Other novels to explore are:

Niven, Jennifer. All the Bright Places. ISBN 9780385755917

Reynolds, Justin. Opposite of Always. ISBN 9780062748379

Rowell, Rainbow. Eleanor & Park. ISBN 9781250012570