Andrea Davis Pinkney

Dear Benjamin Banneker

Throughout his life Banneker was troubled that all blacks were not free. And so, in 1791, he wrote to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, who had signed the Declaration of Independence. Banneker attacked the institution of slavery and dared to call Jeffe

Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa

Ella Fitzgerald began her life as a singer on the stage of the Apollo Theater when she was just seventeen years old. Her rich voice and vocal innovations brought her fame and a remarkable career than spanned half a century and won her generations of fans

Silent Thunder

Despite the danger and their mama's terrible fear of being sold off or worse, two young slaves are determined to fulfill their dreams--to satisfy the "silent thunder", a desire that rumbles deep within each of them, refusing to be ignored.

Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra

You ever hear of the jazz playin' man, the man with the cats who could swing with his band?His name was Duke. Duke Ellington. As a child, he said piano made an umpy-dump sound that was headed nowhere worth following. But, years later, he heard the piano p

Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters

Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus and sparked a boycott that changed America. Harriet Tubman helped more than three hundred slaves escape the South on the Underground Railroad. Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman elected to the U.S

Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip Through the Motown Sound

From award-winning author Andrea Davis Pinkney comes the story of the music that defined a generation and a movement that changed the world.Berry Gordy began Motown in 1959 with an $800 loan from his family. He converted the garage of a residential house

The Red Pencil

"Amira, look at me," Muma insists.She collects both my hands in hers."The Janjaweed attack without warning.If ever they come--run."Finally, Amira is twelve. Old enough to wear a toob, old enough for new responsibilities. And maybe old enough to go to sch

Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America

HAND IN HAND presents the stories of ten men from different eras in American history, organized chronologically to provide a scope from slavery to the modern day. The stories are accessible, fully-drawn narratives offering the subjects' childhood influenc

Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song

They were each born with the gift of gospel.Martin's voice kept people in their seats, but also sent their praises soaring. Mahalia's voice was brass-and-butter - strong and smooth at the same time.With Martin's sermons and Mahalia's songs, folks were fre

Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation

This story begins with shoes.This story is all for true.This story walks. And walks. And walks.To the blues.Rosa Parks took a stand by keeping her seat on the bus. When she was arrested for it, her supporters protested by refusing to ride. Soon a communit