Black History Month: Book List

(This book list has now been updated at http://canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.ca/2016/02/black-history-month-updated-youngcanlit.html)

There could never be enough books to inform young Canadians about the history of the Black community in Canada and elsewhere. In this list of picture books, fiction and non-fiction titles, a small portion of that history, both the trials and the achievements, are noted.

PICTURE BOOKS

All Aboard! Elijah McCoy’s Steam Engine (Great Ideas Series)
by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
Tundra Books
32 pp.
Ages 5-8
2010
Biography

From Lands of the Night
by Tololwa M. Mollel
Illustrated by Darrell McCalla
Red Deer Press
32 pp.
Ages 7+
January, 2014
East African traditional stories, celebration

Mayann's Train Ride
by The Honourable Mayann Francis
Illustrated by Tamara Thiébaux Heikalo
Nimbus Publishing
32 pp.
Ages 4-9
2015

Biography

Nana's Cold Days
by Adwoa Badoe
Illustrated by Bushra Junaid
Groundwood
32 pp.
Ages 3-7
2002

The Orphan Boy
by Tololwa M. Mollel
Illustrated by Paul Morin
Oxford University Press
32 pp.
Ages 5-9
1990
Masai folklore




A Pot of Wisdom: Ananse Stories
by Adwoa Badoe
Illustrated by Baba Wagué Diakité
Groundwood
62 pp.
Ages 7-10
2001
African folklore 

Viola Desmond Won't Be Budged!

by Jody Nyasha Warner
Illustrated by Richard Rudnicki
Groundwood
32 pp.
Ages 7-10
2010
Biography, civil rights

FICTION

Between Sisters
by Adwoa Badoe
Groundwood
205 pp.
Ages 13+
2010
Ghana

Cape Town
by Brenda Hammond
Great Plains Teen Fiction
326 pp.
Ages 14+
2012
Apartheid, South Africa

 

Chanda’s Secrets
by Allan Stratton
Annick
193 pp.
Ages 12-15
2004
HIV/AIDS

Chanda’s War
by Allan Stratton
HarperCollins
382 pp.
Ages 13-17
2008
Civil war, child soldiers

Crossing to Freedom
by Virginia Frances Schwartz
Scholastic Canada
231 pp.
Ages 10+
2010
Slavery, freedom

Dark of the Moon
by Barbara Haworth-Attard
Roussan Publishers
136 pp.
Ages 9-12
1995
Underground Railroad

A Desperate Road to Freedom: The Underground Railroad Diary of Julia May Jackson (Dear Canada)
by Karleen Bradford
Scholastic Canada
240 pp.
Ages 9-13
2009
Slavery, Underground Railroad

Elijah of Buxton
by Christopher Paul Curtis
Scholastic Canada
288 pp.
Ages 9+
2007
Freedom, slavery, Ontario

The Freedom of Jenny
by Julie Burtinshaw
Raincoast Books
182 pp.
Ages 7-10
2005
Underground Railroad, British Columbia

The Gospel Truth
by Caroline Pignat
Red Deer Press
328 pp.
Ages 12+
2014

Slavery, freedom

Grease Town
by Ann Towell
Tundra
192 pp.
Ages 10-13
2010
Racism, Ontario

The House of Good Spirits
by Donn Kushner
Lester & Orpen Dennys
214 pp.
Ages 12-15
1990
Racism, slavery, African folktales

Hurry, Freedom (A Canadian Flyer Adventure)
by Frieda Wishinsky
Illustrated by Dean Griffiths
Maple Tree Press
81 pp.
Ages 6-9
2008
Underground Railroad

I Came as a Stranger: The Underground Railroad
by Bryan Prince
Tundra Books
160 pp.
Ages 11-14
2004
Underground Railroad, slavery

If I Just Had Two Wings
by Virginia Frances Schwartz
Stoddart Kids
221 pp.
Ages 11+
2001
Underground Railroad, slavery

Last Days in Africville
by Dorothy Perkyns
Sandcastle Books/Beach Holme
110 pp.
Ages 8-12
2003
Africville, Nova Scotia, racism

The Madman of Piney Woods

by Christopher Paul Curtis

Scholastic

384 pp.

Ages 9+

2014

Forty years after Elijah of Buxton

Morning Star
by Judith Plaxton
Second Story Press
277 pp.
Ages 11-14
2011
Underground Railroad

My Name is Henry Bibb: A Story of Slavery and Freedom
by Afua Cooper
Kid Can Press
160 pp.
Ages 10-14
2009
Biography, slavery, abolitionism

My Name is Phillis Wheatley: A Story of Slavery and Freedom
by Afua Cooper
Kid Can Press
152 pp.
Ages 11+
2009
Biography, slavery, poetry

Rachel: Certificate of Freedom (Our Canadian Girl)
by Lynne Kositsky
Penguin Canada
112 pp.
Ages 8-12
2003
Slavery, racism, freedom, Nova Scotia  

Rachel: An Elephant Tree Christmas (Our Canadian Girl)
by Lynne Kositsky
Penguin Canada
84 pp.
Ages 9-11
2004
Racism, Nova Scotia

Rachel: The Maybe House (Our Canadian Girl)
by Lynne Kositsky
Penguin Canada
83 pp.
Ages 9-11
2002
Loyalists, slavery, racism, Nova Scotia

Rachel: A Mighty Big Imagining (Our Canadian Girl)
by Lynne Kositsky
Penguin Books
64 pp.
Ages 8-11
2001
Slavery, freedom

 

Seas of South Africa (Submarine Outlaw series)
by Philip Roy
Ronsdale Press
200 pp.
Ages 10+
2013
Racism, violence, South Africa, apartheid

Send One Angel Down
by Virginia Frances Schwartz
Holiday House
163 pp.
Ages 12-14
2000
Slavery, racism

Stones
by William Bell
Doubleday Canada
210 pp.
Ages 10+
2001
Racism, intolerance

Underground to Canada
by Barbara Smucker
Puffin Canada
144pp.
Ages 9-12
2003
Slavery, Underground Railroad, freedom

Zack
by William Bell
Doubleday Canada
165 pp.
Ages 12-16
1998
Slavery, racism, Richard Pierpoint

NON-FICTION

Africans Thought of It: Amazing Innovations
by Bathseba Opini and Richard B. Lee
Annick Press
48 pp.
Ages 8-12
2011
Inventions

The Bite of the Mango
by Mariatu Kumara with Susan McClelland
Annick Press
216 pp.
Ages 14+
2008
Sierra Leone, civil war

Children of Africville
by Christine Welldon
Nimbus
81 pp.
Ages 8-12
2009
Africville, racism

Five Thousand Years of Slavery
by Marjorie Gann and Janet Willen
Tundra
168 pp.
Ages 11-16
2011
Slavery

Harriet Tubman: Freedom Seeker, Freedom Leader (A Quest Biography)
by Rosemary Sadlier
Dundurn
190 pp.
2012
Biography, Harriet Tubman

How the Blacks Created Canada
by Fil Fraser
Dragon Hill
255 pp.
Ages 16+
2009
Settlement, Canada

Jailed for Being Black: The Story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter (Real Justice)

by Bill Swan

Lorimer

144 pp.

Ages 13-17

2014

Biography, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, injustice, racism

The Kids Book of Black Canadian History
by Rosemary Sadlier
Illustrated by Wang Qijun
Kids Can Press
56 pp.
Ages 9-12
2003
Canada, history

Nelson Mandela: Champion of Freedom (Remarkable People series)
by Simon Rose
Weigl Publishers
24 pp.
Ages 8-12
2010
Nelson Mandela, South Africa

On an American Day: Story Voyages Through History, 1759-1899
by Rona Arato
Illustrated by Ben Shannon
Owlkids Books
96 pp.
Ages 9-13
2011

On a Canadian Day: Nine Story Voyages Through History
by Rona Arato
Illustrated by Peter Ferguson
Maple Tree Press/Owlkids Books
96 pp.
Ages 9-13
2009
Underground Railroad

Out of Slavery: The Journey to Amazing Grace
by Linda Granfield
Illustrated by Janet Wilson
Tundra Books
40 pp.
Ages 9+
2009
Slavery, John Newton

People Who Said No: Courage Against Oppression
by Laura Scandiffio
Annick Press
168 pp.
Ages 9-14
2012
Civil rights, Rosa Parks, NAACP, apartheid, South Africa

Season of Rage: Hugh Burnett and the Struggle for Civil Rights
by John Cooper
Tundra Books
71 pp.
Ages 10-15
2005
Racism, civil rights, Ontario

Singing Towards the Future: The Story of Portia White (Stories of Canada)
by Lian Goodall
Illustrated by Liz Milkau
Napoleon Publishing
63 pp.
Ages 9-11
2004
Biography, Portia White

Stay Strong: A Musician's Journey from Congo

by Natalie Hyde

Clockwise Press

160 pp.

Ages 12-16

2015

Biography

Talking about Freedom: Celebrating Emancipation Day in Canada
by Natasha L. Henry
Dundurn
174 pp.
Ages 12+
2012
Slavery, emancipation

To Stand and Fight Together: Richard Pierpoint and the Coloured Corps of Upper Canada
by Steve Pitt
Dundurn
144 pp.
Ages 10+
2008
War of 1812, Richard Pierpoint, soldiers, Canada

Trials and Triumphs: The Story of African-Canadians
by Lawrence Hill
Umbrella Press
64 pp.
Ages 11+
1993
Settlement, slavery, racism, achievements

The Underground Railroad: The Long Journey to Freedom in Canada (Amazing Stories)
by L. D. Cross
James Lorimer
144 pp.
Ages 12+
2010
Slavery, Underground Railroad, freedom

Willie O'Ree: The Story of the First Black Player in the NHL (Recordbooks)
by Nicole Mortillaro
James Lorimer
140 pp.
Ages 11-13
2012
Biography, hockey, Willie O'Ree

Working for Freedom: The Story of Josiah Henson
by Rona Arato
Napoleon
78 pp.
Ages 10-13
2009
Biography, Josiah Henson, slavery, Underground Railroad

PLAYS

In the Freedom of Dreams: The Story of Nelson Mandela
by Michael A. Miller
Playwrights Canada Press
67 pp.
Ages 14+
2003
Biography, Nelson Mandela

FILMS

Loyalties: A Trip Down Slavery Lane
Directed by Lesley Ann Patten
Produced by Kent Martin and Lesley Ann Patten
National Film Board of Canada
57 min., 3 sec.
Ages 11+
1999
Heritage, slavery, South Carolina, Halifax

Every Day is Malala Day

by Rosemary McCarney with Plan International

Second Story Press

978-1-927583-31-9

32 pp.

Ages 7-12

March, 2014

Malala Yousafzai's story is an inspirational one.  This 15-year-old girl was shot in the head by the Taliban for speaking out for the rights of all girls to receive an education.  Her drive for justice was not diminished by her injury but, instead, drew global attention and accolades, all modestly accepted by this young woman.  After the United Nations declared July 12, 2013 Malala Day, Plan International produced a film (Dear Malala) depicting girls writing to Malala and sharing their appreciation and support for her endeavours for all girls.  Photographs of girls from many countries (countries identified in each photo) are captioned with the girls' poignant words and messages to Malala.  These are the words we all need to hear and take to heart.

Dedicated to the "other 65 million girls in the world today who are neither in primary school nor secondary school" (pg. 32), Every Day is Malala Day stands up for girls everywhere, acknowledging their rights, their trials, their strengths and their hopes for a world in which education is for all. It is a stunningly beautiful book in its captivating photographs of hopeful girls and their simple words, appended with Malala Yousafzai's brilliant speech at the United Nations. 

The telling of Malala's story, through the news or videos, is a difficult one and most presentations of this story do not consider the needs of a youthful audience, the very audience for whom Malala struggles.  THIS is the story that every child, every parent, every teacher and every school administer should be reading. And reading again.  Every Day is Malala Day recognizes the tragedy of Malala's rise to the world stage but the far greater story is the impact it has had on children and others to join her in her crusade.  The young women whose words appear on the pages of this book pound with hope and admiration and the determination to carry her message forward.  The power of  Malala's story as told by Rosemary McCarney with Plan International has the candour and honour of its righteous message.

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Dear Malala, the Plan International video upon which Every Day is Malala Day is based, can be viewed on the Plan International channel on YouTube.  I've attached it here for readers perusal.  It is a powerful video.

Uploaded by Plan International on June 26, 2013 to YouTube.

YA Authors Events from Penguin Canada (Oshawa, Brampton)

Penguin Canada

proudly presents

Lesley Livingston, Morgan Rhodes and Eve Silver  

authors of the following young adult series

Never series

Falling Kingdom series

 

The Game series

  

who are joining forces 

to discuss their books, writing and all things YA

at two events

at Chapters Brampton

on Saturday February 15, 2014

 at 2 p.m.

and 

at Chapters Oshawa

on Saturday February 22, 2014  

at 2 p.m.

Take advantage of these wonderful opportunities to visit with these youngCanLit authors of fantasy!

Blues for Zoey: Blog Tour stop

by Robert Paul Weston

Razorbill
978-0-14-318328-0
272 pp.
Ages 13+
For release February 2014

Although the title of this book is Blues for Zoey, the reader would be hard-pressed not to sing the blues for sixteen-year-old Kaz whose life is filled with responsibilities and worries.  Though his family once lived comfortably in Rosemount, the death of Kaz's dad and his mother's illness has the family now living above the Sit N' Spin laundromat and dry cleaners where Kaz works for Mr. Rodolfo.  Mom suffers from somnitis, a disorder which causes her to fall asleep at anytime and for days, and she can no longer perform as an orchestral musician.  Between taking care of his eight-year-old sister Nomi, worrying about his mother, saving frantically so he can take her to an expensive treatment facility in New York City, working, and going to school, Kaz has little time for socializing.  But when Calen, his only Rosemount friend to stick by him, asks Kaz to join him and his girlfriend Alana at the big summer party of rich boy Topher Briggs, it's the beginning of something new.

Though Kaz's former girlfriend Becky is now going out with the pompous Topher, and Kaz is looking to grab the attention of the beautiful Christina Muniez, it's the girl with the blond dreadlocks who makes the biggest impression.  Kaz has spotted Zoey Zamani several times on the street near Dave Mizra's jewelry store, carrying a large cross-shaped structure which Kaz learns is a musical instrument she created and calls a rood.  When he hears her play it and sing the obscure music of Shain Cope (a curiously talented but tragic musician), Kaz is hooked.

But Kaz is soon burdened with more concerns. First, as he tries to get to know Zoey, he suspects a very dangerous situation with her father.  Then, Kaz starts watching and spying on his boss Mr. Rodolfo who Zoey suspects of being involved in illegal activities like gambling and laundering money.  Finally, amongst the various characters Kaz knows in the community of Evandale, two homeless veterans, A-Man and B-Man, draw Kaz's attention with regards to their enigmatic interactions with  Mr. Rodolfo, especially after B-Man disappears. 

A more welcome situation has Kaz scrambling to do the right thing after a producer shooting a TV pilot around Evandale spots Zoey's rood hidden at the Sit N' Spin and recognizes it as an instrument made by Shain Cope and stolen after his death.  His offer to buy it has Kaz contemplating the money he could make for his mother's treatment and his relationship with Zoey.

Though Robert Paul Weston's Blues for Zoey is a complete departure from his fantastic stories of Zorgamazoo (Razorbill, 2008), Dust City (Puffin, 2010), Prince Puggly of Spud and the Kingdom of Spiff (Puffin, 2013) and The Creature Department (Razorbill, 2013), his characteristically detailed plotting is still evident.  To young adult readers, the subplots and secondary characters may appear to be simple add-ons but they do so much more than just add flavour, never revealed until those "aha" moments closer to the story's conclusion.  Never overlook the inclusion of any story element in Robert Paul Weston's books.  He doesn't do filler.  Others might need more words to fully elaborate on criss-crossing story-lines but never Robert Paul Weston.  I was convinced I knew where the story was going, and appreciated where it was heading, until that one piece of information dropped into the text.  Then those story-lines sorted themselves out, again, and Blues for Zoey transformed from a story about a teen with worries and smitten with a girl to a teen with worries and still smitten with a girl. You'll see the difference when you read Blues for Zoey and recognize that Robert Paul Weston has found a new avenue for his writing, drawing older teens in now too.  Fortunate readers, I'd say.

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Check out my interview with Robert Paul Weston soon in which he shares some details about Blues for Zoey and this new writing venture.

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Albertan YoungCanLit Author Trio: Author Event (Edmonton)

Mark February 8th on your calendar

if you live in the Edmonton area 

because

you're fortunate to have

not one,

not two,

but

three youngCanLit authors

 

Karen Bass, Marty Chan, and Karen Spafford-Fitz

visiting

Chapters at West Edmonton Mall

from 12 p. m. to 4 p. m.

Check out some of their books below, including their latest (always far left book cover).

 
Karen Bass

• Graffiti Knight (Pajama Press)
• Drummer Girl (Coteau)
  
• Summer of Fire (Coteau)

Marty Chan

• The Ehrich Weisz Chronicles: Demon Gate (Fitzhenry & Whiteside)
• Barnabas Bigfoot: Bone Eater (Thistledown Press)
• The Mystery of the Cyber Bully (Thistledown Press)
  

Karen Spafford-Fitz

 

• Vanish (Orca Book Publishers)
• Dog Walker (Orca Book Publishers)

Further details about the event can be found here.

When Mama Goes to Work

by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

Illustrated by Jessica Phillips

Fitzhenry & Whiteside

978-1-55455-34-3

32 pp.

Ages 1-5

October 2013

We know that, in these days of economic instability, many children are part of households in which parents are out of the house at work each day.  It doesn't matter whether it is a single-parent household, one with both father and mother, or even one with two mothers–bills must be paid, careers to be realized and passions to be developed, and contributions to be made outside of the home.  As adults, we understand why we go to work, but do children always understand this? 

In When Mama Goes to Work, Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch ensures that they do understand, specifically that the days of working mothers and children are not that dissimilar.  Their days start the same, in preparation for the day: dressing appropriately, making lunches, tidying themselves, and packing their bags.  At work and school, the similarities continue, as they do when Mama and child are reunited.  Regardless of their day's activities, Mama and child know that they are each in the other's thoughts and hearts, and that when the "work" day is over, they will again be together.

This positive and reassuring message, which also communicates the variety of roles mothers may play within the community e.g., construction worker, medical professional, business person and care giver, is enhanced by illustrator Jessica Phillips' cheerful round-faced children and mothers.  All children will see themselves in her characters who range in their skin and hair colours, in gender, nationality, and activities.  When Mama Goes to Work is an inclusive story of everyday routines that may be unfamiliar and may seem mysterious but are reassuringly comparable and interconnected.