By Cecil R. Cross II James “JD” Dawson grew up in the hood, but left a lifeof violence three thousand miles behind to makesomething of himself at University of Atlanta. But whenthe freshman got off to a fool’s start—kicking it with hisnew homeboys, showing up late to class, not studyingand checking out the shorties—JD was…
Written by Derrick Barnes Illustrated by John John Bajet Celebrate the unheralded people and stories that helped shape the game of baseball! Meet unsung pioneers, like John “Bud” Fowler, William Edward White, and brothers Moses Fleetwood Walker and Weld Walker, four African Americans who integrated white teams decades before Jackie Robinson. Discover unforgettable moments, like the…
By Bethany Hegedus It’s hard to be a “Black Sheep Baxter,” at least for 12-year-old Polly. From a poor white family, Polly’s best friend, Timbre Ann Biggs, is black, making them the only “salt-and-pepper” friends in town. But in that fall of 1959, life in quiet Holcolm County starts to heat up as one by…
By Bethany Hegedus Lots of families have secrets. Little-Known Fact: My family has an antebellum house with a locked wing—and I’ve got a secret of my own.I thought getting kicked out of the Gifted & Talented program—or not being “pegged,” as Mama said—was the worst thing that could happen to me. W-r-o-n-g, wrong.I arrived in Tweedle, Georgia,…
Written by Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus Illustrated by Evan Turk Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson tells the story of how his grandfather taught him to turn darkness into light in this uniquely personal and vibrantly illustrated tale that carries a message of peace. How could he–a Gandhi–be so easy to anger? One thick, hot day, Arun…
Written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson Illustrated by Gordon C. James The true tale of a cowboy’s epic rodeo ride from acclaimed author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and Caldecott Honoree Gordon C. James. In 1911, three men were in the final round of the famed Pendleton Round-Up. One was white, one was Indian, and one was Black.…
Illustrated by April Harrison Written by Alicia D. Williams Discover the inspiring story of the first Black woman elected to Congress and to run for president in this picture book biography from a Newbery Honor-winning author and a Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Award-winning illustrator. Meet Shirley, a little girl who asks way too…
Illustrated by April Harrison Written by Patricia McKissack This final, magnificent picture book from three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and Newbery Honor author Patricia McKissack is a poignant and uplifting celebration of the joy of giving. “Misery loves company,” Mama says to James Otis. It’s been a rough couple of months for them, but…
Written by Vera Ahiyya, the “Tutu Teacher” Illustrated by Joey Chou It’s the first day of kindergarten and Leo isn’t at all ready. He is a quiet kid and would prefer to stay home. Over the summer, his new teacher, Ms. Perry, sent a letter asking her students to think about how to show kindness…
By Derrick Barnes A teen boy invents a smooth alter ego in his quest to win back his ex-girlfriend in this funny, off-beat novel. Diego is a sixteen-year-old boy with a problem. When he breaks up with the girl he loves due to his insecurities, he is crushed. Will he ever win Roxy back? On…
