The New African Americans

The New African Americans explores the trajectory of post slavery African immigration to the United States. This instructional text highlights a growing sector the African American community which is often marginalized He examines the distinct ethnic groups who have settled across the country and the cultural wealth the contribute to our nation. Ashabranner emphasizes the diverse reasons for immigration, such as education, employment, and or refugee status. This text is an excellent introduction to immigration, the African diaspora, and the 21^st. century African American community.

I Saw Your Face

Kwame Dawes is an American writer of African descent (Ghana). He weaves together his international experience, West African story-telling technique, and English meter to recount the African diaspora. Tom Feeling's haunting sketches of Black children around the globe illustrate the striking relationship amongst a fragmented community. I so appreciate quality representations of Black people in children's literature. Feelings' illustrations capture the intricacies of my face, and the faces of the children I teach. It is so important that children recognize themselves positively in literature.  I stress positively because reading, especially at a young age, shapes and influences a child's identity. The words and strokes of I Saw Your Face pierced my own heart. The African Diaspora is my story; those are my relatives rooted in Accra and Atlanta. Our relationship is distant, yet irrevocably linked.

Ages: 8-12