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The Quilts of Gee's Bend

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The Quilts of Gee's Bend
By Susan Goldman Rubin
Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2017. Informational.

In Gee's Bend, Alabama a group of African American women have been making quilts for generations. The women in this small community have been taught how to make quilts by their mothers and grandmothers from any scraps of fabric they have on hand - quilts made to keep people warm and comfortable. No one ever imagined that these handmade quilts would someday hang in art museums in Houston, New York City, and Washington D.C.

This book does a compelling job of intertwining art history, folk art, and the struggle for civil rights into one book that is both interesting and inspiring. This book may not have immediate kid appeal, but is a great choice for families with older children who are looking for a different approach to American History. The color photographs of these quilts are satisfyingly abstract, making this a unique way to celebrate Black History Month. 
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