“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” — Dr. Seuss
February is Black History Month and we are reading novels, biographies and other books centered on this theme. We started early this year, with books about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in honor of his birthday and the National Holiday, and with biographies about President Barack Obama.
Some of our favorite novels by African-American authors include “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” and other books by Mildred D. Taylor; “Double Dutch” and many other selections from Sharon Draper; the books of Walter Dean Myers and lots more. For biographies, we are reading about Booker T. Washington, Harriet Tubman, Ruby Bridges, Maya Angelou, Marian Anderson, Malcolm X and Frederick Douglass… the list of outstanding African-Americans goes on and on.
There are a number of events going on around town — check the calendar listings of the newspaper for information or search online. While you are online, search “Black History Month” and you will find a number of educational sites with printables and lessons to do at home. One of my favorite sites is About.com: Classic Literature.
Happy reading!
— Ms. Nancy