Display: Black History Month

Condoleezza Rice
By Kevin Cunningham
Traces the life and accomplishments of the former educator and national security advisor to President George W. Bush who became the second woman, and the second African American, to be Secretary of State.

The Tuskegee Airmen
By Sarah De Capua
Describes the history of the Tuskegee airmen, an Air Force squadron of African Americans who fought in World War II and were pioneers in the racial integration of the United States armed forces.

Onward: A Photobiography of African-American Polar Explorer Matthew Henson
By Dolores Johnson
The conquest of the North Pole was an elusive, almost impossible goal at the beginning of the last century. But a son of patrician parents, Robert E. Peary, and a son of sharecroppers, Matthew Henson, shared a dream of conquering the unconquered North Pole and were brave enough to risk their lives numerous times before they finally succeeded.

Hank Aaron
By Serena Kappes
Details the life of Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, the first person to break Babe Ruth's career record of 714 home runs.

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story
By Gregg Lewis
The extraordinary true story of a young boy from the inner city who through faith and determination grew up to be one of the world's leading pediatric neurosurgeons.

George Washington Carver: An Innovative Life
By Elizabeth MacLeod
Presents the life of the African American scientist who was born a slave and overcame racial discrimination to become a college professor famous for numerous discoveries in the field of agriculture.

We Are the Ship
By Kadir Nelson
Using an "Everyman" player as his narrator, Kadir Nelson tells the story of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s through the decline after Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947.

Jackie Robinson: American Hero
By Sharon Robinson
Discusses the life and career of Jackie Robinson, an icon not only for the sport of baseball, but also for the civil rights movement.

With Books and Bricks: How Booker T. Washington Built a School
By Suzanne Slade
Booker T. Washington had an incredible passion for learning. Born a slave, he taught himself to read. When the Civil War ended, Booker finally fulfilled his dream of attending school. After graduation, he was invited to teach in Tuskegee, Alabama. Finding many eager students, but no school, Booker set out to build his own school--brick by brick

Racing against the Odds
By Carole Boston Weatherford
Biography of Wendell O. Scott, who raced against all odds, working full-time while racing on the side, and the only black driver to win a race in a NASCAR Grand National.

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Five Faves: WWII Spies and Codebreakers

I can't help but assume I'm not the only kid who grew up playing spies. As a child, my imaginative playtime was filled with covert espionage largely derived from the Spy Kids movies. As an adult, my interest in spycraft has never wavered. In fact, the older I get, the more I am intrigued by spies, ciphers, and codes. Combine that with a love of rich historical settings and untold stories of people from history, there are few things I find as satisfying as a historical spy story. If you're anything like me, you'll love this list of stories -- real and fictional -- starring spies, codebreakers, and cryptanalysts. Max in the House of Spies By Adam Gidwitz New York: Dutton Children's Books, 2024. Fiction. 320 pages. After Kristallnacht, Max Bretzfeld's German Jewish parents decide to send him to England via the Kindertransport. Now accompanied by two invisible-to-all-but-him spirts -- a dybbuk and a kobold -- Max is desperate to return home to Berlin. As Max adjusts

Review: The Color of Sound

The Color of Sound Written by Emily Barth Isler Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books. 2024. 326 pages. Rosie is a 12-year-old musical prodigy who has a remarkable brain that allows her to remember every piece of music she has ever heard or played. She also has the unique ability to hear sounds and her brain turns all of these sounds into colors that she can see, feel, and taste. This full sensory ability is called synesthesia and sometimes Rosie loves what her brain can do and sometimes she is overwhelmed because she can never get away from all the sounds and colors that surround her constantly. Since she was little Rosie has loved the violin, but lately she feels like she has lost her identity and is only known as "the girl with the violin," so she goes on a music strike. She tells her teachers and her mother that she is not playing the violin anymore. Her mother is very upset with her decision, and so she decides to take Rosie with her to spend the summer at her grandparents h

Five Faves: Mysterious High-Low Intermediate Books

Intermediate Mystery books are a gold mine. High-low books refer to titles that are of high interest to readers, but contain low level vocabulary. These titles are clever, action-packed, and have several books in the series to keep the mystery alive. These intermediate mystery books are the first in their series and are sure to appease any mystery loving reader. The Ghost Tree Written by Natasha Deen Illustrated by Lissy Marlin New York: Random House Children's Books, 2022. Intermediate. 95 pages. With a dash of paranormal mixed with mystery, this book introduces Asim, a Guyanese American fourth grader who moves to a new town. After a visit to a graveyard, an evil spirit is unleashed. Asim works with new friends, Rokshar and Max, to save their town. With scarily cool illustrations to accompany this text, this book is great for any amateur sleuths who love a touch of creepy. Detective Duck: The Case of the Strange Splash Written by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver Illustrated by Dan San

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