Read Woke
The golden girls of Rio
Nikkolas Smith
jE Smith
Black Lives Matter, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies
The women athletes of the 2016 Summer Olympics captivated the world: Simon Biles, the most decorated American gymnast of all time; Katie Ledecky, who shattered swimming records in multiple events; Michelle Carter, the first American gold medalist in shot put; Simone Manuel, the first African American woman to medal in individual swimming. Their accomplishments amazed us, as did their personal stories of persistence and hard work. [This book] focuses on the paths to glory for these women athletes, how they got their start and rose to meteoric heights in the Rio games. The other swimming and gymnastic teammates are included in the story as well. An inspiring story, bursting with color and action and life, that will make you smile to see these champion athletes as little girls, and to revisit their triumphs in achieving Olympic gold.
Counting on Katherine : how Katherine Johnson saved Apollo 13
Helaine Becker
eBOOK
Black Lives Matter, Black History, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies
Added by Casey
Firebird
Misty Copeland
jE Copeland
Black Lives Matter, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies
American Ballet Theater soloist Misty Copeland encourages a young ballet student, with brown skin like her own, by telling her that she, too, had to learn basic steps and how to be graceful when she was starting out, and that some day, with practice and dedication, the little girl will become a firebird, too. Includes author's note about dancers who led her to find her voice.
Misty Copeland's picture book autobiography is a triumph. Pair this with the DVD American Ballet Theatre: A History, and/or her long form autobriography, Life in Motion: an unlikely ballerina, to learn more about Misty's career and see her beautiful dancing. -Casey
Thurgood
Jonah Winter
eBOOK
Black Lives Matter, Black History, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies
"Before Rosa Parks, before Martin Luther King Jr., before the civil rights movement there was Thurgood, fighting for African Americans - and winning. Here is the powerful story of the trailblazer who proved that separate is not equal." --Provided by Publisher.
Added by Casey
Voice of freedom : Fannie Lou Hamer, spirit of the civil rights movement
Carole Boston Weatherford
jBIOGRAPHY Hamer, Fannie Lou
Black Lives Matter, Black History, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies
Presents a collage-illustrated treasury of poems and spirituals inspired by the life and work of civil rights advocate Fannie Lou Hamer.
Added by Casey
Farmer Will Allen and the growing table
Jacqueline Briggs Martin
jE Martin
Black Lives Matter, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies
The story of former basketball star and current urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, whose vision of gardening from abandoned urban sites led to a grassroots feeding craze.
Added by Casey
Preaching to the chickens : the story of young John Lewis
Jabari Asim
jE Asim
Black Lives Matter, Black History, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies
John Lewis's early life is chronicled here and it is beautifully done. If you haven't read about how he used to preach to his flock, I can't imagine a more poignant time. -Casey
Schomburg : the man who built a library
Carole Boston Weatherford
jBIOGRAPHY Schomburg, Arthur Alfonso
Black Lives Matter, Black History, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies
Traces legal clerk Arturo Schomburg's efforts to curate a collection of African books, letters, music, and art.
Added by Casey
Little leaders : bold women in black history
Vashti Harrison
eBOOK
Black Lives Matter, Black History, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies
This is the first installment in Vashti Harrison's lovely series. The biographies are short, illustrations are really cute, and the figures she has chosen to highlight are great to get to know. -Casey
Whoosh! : Lonnie Johnson's super-soaking stream of inventions
Chris Barton
jBIOGRAPHY Johnson, Lonnie.
Black Lives Matter, Read Woke, Picture Books, Biographies
Chronicles the life and achievements of the NASA engineer and inventor, from his childhood to his accidental invention of the Super Soaker water gun.
Be warned! This book may have you rifling through your childhood toy collection in the best possible way. -Casey
The books takes a look back at the 2016 Olympics and the amazing achievements of female Olympians, including Simone Biles and Simone Manuel. These women rocked the world and just might do it again in Tokyo! -Casey