Black Girl Books

I love reading! However, as a teacher, I realize that many children do not. Therefore it was a challenge for me to find something to interested my students besides the usually basal reader stories or the recommended list of books. I wanted to find something that was (10 years ago) off the beaten path. Of course, these days, books that feature diverse characters are become more integrated into the general classroom curriculum, but I would like to share some books that both my students and I enjoyed.

Princess Grace

This is more of a social commentary in some places than a book review, so please bear with me.

Princess Grace

by: Mary Hoffman

Amazon Price: $11.55 (as of 12/31/2009)

Princess Grace is the story of the continuing saga of Grace, the girl who could do anything she set her mind to. When I last saw Grace, she won the part of Peter Pan in the play over everyone on the class, even though she was neither white nor male. In the book Boundless Grace, which I haven't read in years, Grace visits her remarried father's new family in Gambia, Africa. Apparently Mary Hoffman is also writing chapter books around the character of Grace. But I digress. Back to the story.

Princess Grace is a story about the discussion and learning that takes place around a parade that the school is in. Two princesses are to be chosen to ride the float with the queen and that encourages Grace's class to talk about the different types of princesses.

I know that the underlying theme of the Grace picture books is to take tradition and give a new take - as with Grace playing Peter Pan. However, I felt somewhat misled by the cover illustration of this book as it shows Grace in a princess-pink dress complete with tiara. I snatched it up eagerly thinking I could show my daughter a picture and a story about a pretty brown princess just like her. But, that's not what the author had in mind. Basically, we are told there are all types of princesses -- that are capable of much more than just sitting around and looking pretty. Grace ends up on her class's float as the African princess Amira of Nigeria.

Well! For those of us with girls, we know that they go through a phase where they just want to sit around and look "pretty as a princess". And what's wrong with that? I'm certainly not saying that we train them for a life like that, but indulging them for a brief time can't hurt. I felt that this book may take that fantasy away from little girls - telling them that it's not ok to look pretty, but that they must DO something. I don't believe the two are mutually exclusive.

I did a bit of research and with not much fuss found Princess Elizabeth Bagaaya Akiiki of Toro, Uganda, Africa. She is a present day princess, born with a "silver spoon" who was a model AND graduated from Cambridge University in England, one of three African women to do so. Apparently, she is capable, intelligent as well as beautiful. I wonder why this modern day fairy tale princess wasn't chosen?

So, there's my review of Princess Grace. Take it how you will. Some may like the book, but I would not read it again. I do like the cover illustration though and the fact that because of this book, I was compelled to do research and learned about the Ugandan princess, who in face, I believe became the Uganda's ambassador to Germany. And I bet she looks good doing it too.

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Cousins

by Virginia Hamilton

Cousins

by: Virginia Hamilton

Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 12/31/2009)
List Price: $4.99

Grade Level : 5-8

When I finished reading this book, as an adult, I was changed. Don't get me wrong, it is a simple, straightforward book and a quick read, but the characters - ! I had never encountered a so-called children's book that embraced such heavy themes in such a way that was so natural. I know that may be strange to write, but I've read books where the author hit you over the head so many times with his/her "theme" that it was tiresome. Cammy often sneaks away to visit her Gram Tut in the nursing home.

Cammy doesn't quite like her cousin Patty Ann, who wears beautiful clothes, has long hair and plays the piano. Patty Ann's mother dotes on her and looks down on Cammy and her family, often making hurtful remarks. The dynamic between the two cousins and the family as a whole is something that every one will recognize. The tragedy that takes place in the book is real and will definitely spark discussion. I highly recommend that if you choose to present this book to the class or to your children that you read it first - it is truly powerful.

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Second Cousins

Cammy's story continues.

Second Cousins

by: Virginia Hamilton

Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 12/31/2009)
List Price: $5.99
Used Price: $0.01

Ms. Hamilton does it again, truly she does. After reading Cousins, I could not wait to read the sequel. The author does well in dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy in the first book and I was glad to see that healing did take place within the family. Cammy has now found a good friend in her cousin Elodie and the two girls are enjoying the hot summer. The family reunion is coming up and they both are looking forward to meeting the rest of the family, include some second cousins from the city. However, with these new girls comes secrets that may threaten Cammy's and Elodie's relationship and change her family forever.

This is another powerful book from Virginia Hamilton that has a plot twist that even I, a seasoned reader of all types of books, wasn't expecting. The beauty of Ms. Hamilton's writing is that although her narrative delivers pain to Cammy and her family, she brings her heroine through it all with the power of family love. This book is fun, sad, and heartwarming. Gives meaning to the phrase "I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me." What a great book!

Note: Both books are written on a 3rd grade level - simple and easy to read, but the subject matter, in my opinion should be 4th grade and up. Please use your discretion with your students and your children.

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Philip Hall Likes Me, I Reckon Maybe

by Bette Greene

Philip Hall Likes Me, I Reckon Maybe (Puffin Newberry Library)

by: Bette Greene

Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 12/31/2009)
List Price: $5.99

Take a deep breath, readers and put away the tissue. (Cammy turned out okay at the end of Second Cousins) A Newbery award winner, "Philip Hall" is a much lighter read which embraces a universal theme for women and girls the world over - must we change what is our "essential self" in order to be accepted by friends, both male and female? Beth Lambert is just "in love" with Philip Hall who is cute, smart and can beat her in classwork as well as sports%u2026..but can he really or is Beth just letting him win? The story takes place in a rural town in Arkansas, which is a great reading experience for those of us from "the city". The subplot about stealing prize turkeys and the 4-H fair fascinated me as much as the dynamics of the relationship between Beth and Philip.

I'm not going to give away the ending here, so you'll have to read the book to see if Beth stays true to herself and goes after her goals rather than staying in Philip Hall's shadow.

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Circle of Gold

By Candy Dawson Boyd

Circle Of Gold (Apple Paperbacks)

by: Candy Dawson Boyd

Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 12/31/2009)
List Price: $4.99

What a lovely book! Mattie and Matt are twins, both concerned with the headaches their mother suffers after the death of their father. Mama works so hard and she never seems to be happy! Matt gets away from it all with his friends and basketball, but Mattie worries about her mother because they never do the fun things they used to do.

One day, Mattie sees a beautiful gold circle pin in a department store and knows right away that's the thing to make her mother smile. But she doesn't have enough money to purchase the pin%u2026unless she wins the essay contest! Will Mattie be able to purchase the pin for her mother? As if that weren't worry enough, she has to worry about the prettiest and richest girl in school bullying her and her friends.

This is a beautiful book about the yearning of a child to make her mother happy. Although Mattie has her own problems, bullies, losing her babysitter's job, she still tries to keep her mother's happiness above her own. Read this heartwarming book with our daughters and enjoy.

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More from these Authors

The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales

Virginia Hamilton Links

Virginia Hamilton: Virginia Hamilton Home Page
Writing with Writers: Descriptive Writing Home: This learning activity helps students increase their skills in descriptive writing by following tips and suggestions from writer Virginia Hamilton. After reading about Hamilton, students write their descriptive pieces and publish them online. A teacher's guide is included.

Tell me what you think!

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Reply

Evelyn_Saenz Evelyn_Saenz Nov 2, 2008 @ 12:59 pm

Great lens! Lensrolled to Beginning Readers.

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LesKremer LesKremer Aug 21, 2008 @ 7:37 pm

thumbs up!

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