Book recommendations needed

Jen · #1 03-31-2010, 08:55 PM

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Little32 · #2 03-31-2010, 10:10 PM

Mildred Taylor, specifically Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Donald Duk by Frank Chin (may be more appropriate for 12/13)
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (Pretty accessible, but I can't remember whether there was any profanity or not. Knowing Alexie, there probably was.)
M. C. Higgins the Great by Virginia Hamilton.

Give me a couple of months and I will have another title for you.

AXiDMeesh · #3 03-31-2010, 10:17 PM

I second the "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" and the other books in that series, but it may be a little disturbing. I can still vividly remember some scenes from those books and it's been YEARS since I read one.
I also liked "The Watson's Go To Birmingham" by Christopher Paul Curtis. Still one of my faves

gee_ess · #4 03-31-2010, 10:22 PM

Scott O'Dell - Island of the Blue Dolphins (plus several others)
Pam M Ryan - Esperanza Rising
These have women of color as main characters but they are not Af American, if that matters.

Senusret I · #5 03-31-2010, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Scott O'Dell - Island of the Blue Dolphins (plus several others)

I believe this was the first book which ever made me cry.

gee_ess · #6 03-31-2010, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I believe this was the first book which ever made me cry.

I loved it , too! It's an oldie, but a goodie.

libramunoz · #7 03-31-2010, 10:33 PM

There are several books by Rosa Guy that are good for children of this age.

Also, I do believe that Connie Briscoe has a few books for children of this age, or children that are advanced readers.

gee_ess · #8 03-31-2010, 10:38 PM

Is it bad that I am such a book geek that I am googling for titles?? I love books!

epchick · #9 03-31-2010, 10:50 PM

although some of the vignettes might be a little inappropriate, the books by Sandra Cisneros like "House on Mango Street" are really good.

Ooh La La · #10 03-31-2010, 11:09 PM

I fully second Island of the Blue Dolphins. It's amazing.

Shellfish · #11 04-01-2010, 01:37 PM

My favorite book when I was a little kid was The Empty Schoolhouse by Natalie Savage Carlson, a novel about the desegregation of schools in Louisiana. It's way out of print, but there are lots of secondhand copies available online if they don't mind used.

angels&angles · #12 04-01-2010, 05:10 PM

Depending on her age group and reading level, the American Girl books about Addy might be appropriate. Also, I remember these from my youth but don't know if they still write them or if you can still get them, but there used to be a sort of "American Diaries" series that were decent (It would be like, "The Oregan Trail Diary of Fictitious Girl). I don't specifically remember any non-white ones (I only remember reading the Oregon Trail, Civil War and Mayflower ones, but I know there were TONS), but I'm sure there were some.

Does Huck Finn count? I read that in elementary school, and there are definitely some lessons to be learned from it (and from people's reactions to certain terms in the book).

IlovemyAKA · #13 04-01-2010, 07:28 PM

You guys are making me realize that most of the books that I read as a kid did not feature African American characters.

I did read Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals.

ihearttrisigma · #14 04-01-2010, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angels&angles

Depending on her age group and reading level, the American Girl books about Addy might be appropriate.

Good call! Besides Addy http://store.americangirl.com/agshop.../LeftMenu/TRUEI also believe there is now an American Indian doll/character that would have books. I just went to the website and see that they have a Nez Pierce Indian named Kaya http://store.americangirl.com/agshop.../LeftMenu/TRUEand a girl from New Mexico, Josefina. http://store.americangirl.com/agshop.../LeftMenu/TRUE

Hope this helps!

jennyj87 · #15 04-02-2010, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angels&angles

Depending on her age group and reading level, the American Girl books about Addy might be appropriate. Also, I remember these from my youth but don't know if they still write them or if you can still get them, but there used to be a sort of "American Diaries" series that were decent (It would be like, "The Oregan Trail Diary of Fictitious Girl). I don't specifically remember any non-white ones (I only remember reading the Oregon Trail, Civil War and Mayflower ones, but I know there were TONS), but I'm sure there were some.

Does Huck Finn count? I read that in elementary school, and there are definitely some lessons to be learned from it (and from people's reactions to certain terms in the book).

The dear america books! Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell!!!
I read practically every one. Then they had the royal diaries that talked all about the young royals. Those were so good. I was so mad when my mom gave those away. When i first started reading them there was like 3 and now theyve got a wicked lot.

I really want to read them now.

http://www.scholastic.com/dearameric...checklists.htm