Carole Boston Weatherford

A delightful 15-minute audiobook reciting a lively poem in a children's book to music. This book feels close to me, as my mulatto great-grandmother was born free in New Orleans in 1851 and grew up a few blocks from Congo Square. She surely heard the music and may have joined in the dancing. In one of her pictures, she's smiling with dimples. I wish I'd known her.

Also related is The World That Made New Orleans: From Spanish Silver to Congo Square, by Ned Sublette. He says that Congo Square "rocked the city."

Highly recommended.… (more)

This is a children's book in ebook format that can be read in one sitting. The illustrations by the artist Floyd Cooper are excellent. I enjoyed viewing more of his art online. Sadly, he passed away two years ago at the young age of 65.

The story takes place in 1921 and is profoundly important in the history of American racism. This book will definitely be banned in Florida so the white kids won't feel "uncomfortable." The book made me feel uncomfortable, but only because the event was so horrific and the story was suppressed for many years. Everyone should know this story. I made sure my teenage daughter read it.

Highly recommended, to read and to share!… (more)

This one has language that requires an adult’s guidance. I’ll be shelving it with the YA books.

I recommend first reading it yourself to prepare yourself for the language and violence.

Red flags- in the beginning is a quote about how children will speak out about wrong doings.

Maybe it is just a nice quote and I am reading it hyper-aware of how children are manipulated to be used as activists while making adults out to be stupid. It is hard to say.

There is some big time foul language. Just know that it is there. There is also violence, from beatings to a mention of throat slitting and medical malfeasance.

Unrated.… (more)