This biography of Corretta Scott King actually does spend considerably more time talking about the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. than her more famous husband. Cythnia Klingel tells the story of how how Corretta grew up in Alabama, where her father's mill and the family home were both burned to the ground by racists. Scott was attending the New England Conservatory of Music when she met King, who was studying at Boston University. Klingel then covers the involvement of both Kings in the Montgomery Bus Boycott inspired by the civil disobedience of Rosa Parks in 1956 (I should note that while Klingel gives credit to King for coming up with the idea of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, other books credit E. D. Nixon with organizing the original boycott, with King then taking over the more prolonged study), but reduces the rest of the civil rights movement to two brief pages before turning to King's assassination in 1968. However, this is appropriate because it was after her husband's death that Coretta Scott King became more social active. The book details her various accomplishments, including pushing for a national holiday honoring her slain husband. This biography is part of the Journey to Freedom series, whose avowed goal is to educate and inform children about the achievements and contributions of America's most noted African Americans. Students interested n studying her life for Black History Month will find lots of useful information in this book. In comparison to the individuals described in other Journey to Freedom volumes Coretta Scott King's accomplishments might not be as significant, but there is certainly something to be said for the way she has turned personal tragedy into triumph in a public role she never really wanted.

In my opinion this book was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel that every one should read about Denmark Vessey and his contributions to Black History. If you have nothing to do, read this book. I promise you it will change your views on Black History.

With so much of the sordid history of slavery in the United States behind us, many of the major wounds have been healed. However, that does not mean that we should forget what it did to people. Slavery turned otherwise kindly people into beasts. Eventually, it was the wedge that drove two segments of the U.S. into overt warfare.
Frederick Douglass was one of the most articulate voices opposed to slavery among free blacks. A natural writer, he describes his life in slavery and how dehumanizing it was. The time he spent in slavery was a microcosm of most of the contradictions of slavery. Taken from his mother at a young age, he knew nothing about his white father. A slave was property to their owner, somewhat on a par with a horse or cattle. And yet, many slaveholders fathered children with their female slaves. Many slaves were severely beaten or killed for disobedience. Chivalrous gentleman who would not tolerate a man beating a horse would speak approval of similar actions being performed on a defenseless slave. Douglass was beaten many times, even to the point of possible permanent injury, for actions that were simply human. Finally, there was the bizarre spectacle of slaves and free blacks living in the same areas, sometimes even being relatives by blood or marriage. The woman who eventually became his wife was a free woman while he was a slave, joining him after he escaped to freedom.
It does us all good to be reminded how destructive slavery was to the structure of American society. Douglass lived on both sides of the issue and his story of the slave years are a powerful tale of human destruction. Written for older children, this book should be required reading for graduation from high school.

this book is great it is real life and some gossip about the wonderful and multi talented artist Ms. janet Jackson

This children's book, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, is about a young and joyous African-American girl who hopes to win a prize at a cake walk by capturing the wind as her partner. The story takes place around 1900 and is a beautiful view of a happy people. The book was a 1989 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a book for children.

I read this book for my Modern American History class and aside from two uses of "G__ d___," which I feel Mrs. King used to show the historical accuracy of the persecution during one of Martin's marches, that this was an informative read. I don't know that much about black history, but Mrs. King seems to go in depth while being completely concise. Famous historical figures such as Malcolm X and Ralph Abernathy are littered throughout and we have what I believe is probably an accurate view of the mores and values of the times. The book inspired me to stand up for my beliefs at the expense of persecution. In this book, we have a more human picture of Martin, the love he shared for people and his determination to lead them out of the valley of despair. As I approached the end of the book, I couldn't put it down because I was completely riveted at the events that ensued after his assassination. I've not read any other books about this period, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was the authorative work on the history of black civil rights during that time period.

I spent my early childhood in Harlem, and this book felt like home. It's beautiful! It made me laugh and get misty eyed all at once. I think that with all the negative publicity Harlem gets it's important (especially for children who live there) to see their home portrayed with kindness and affection. To see a celebration of who and what's there now, with due respect to (but not focus on) what was there when their great-grandparents were kids. A celebration that doesn't include hate, gunfire and/or gangsters.

When was the last time *your* child saw something about a black neighborhood that didn't preach, didn't assume you wished you lived in Africa and wasn't about gangs, rappers or drug violence?

I really enjoyed reading Christopher Paul Curtis's book Bud, Not Buddy. This book won a Newbery Award. I thought it was really good because it was adventurous. Bud, age 10, was living in a foster home in Flint, Michigan. His mom died and he does not know where his dad is. Bud's mom always would look at a blue paper. He knew that the man on the paper had to be his father. The people at the foster home sent him to the Amoses' house. He ran away from there. Bud wants to find his father. He met a guy named Lefty Lewis who could take him to his father. Bud was curious to find out if Herman E. Calloway is his father. You have to read this book to see what happens to Bud. So, if you are looking for a very entertaining book, you should read Christopher Paul Curtis's book, Bud, Not Buddy. I really hope you enjoy this book!

Bud, Not Buddy tells the story of 10 year old Bud Caldwell, a young boy growing up in Michigan during the 1930's. Bud's mother died when he was only 6 years old, and since he never knew his father, Bud was forced to live in a home for orphans between his brief stays in various foster homes. Bud carries a battered suitcase which contains all the things that are near and dear to his heart; a special blanket and pictures of his mother. Although it seems as if Bud has very little, he has a drive to find his father, using the clues he feels that his mother left for him. After a bad experience at a foster care placement, Bud runs away using the rules he authored "Bud Caldwell's Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself" to guide him. Will the clues really lead to his father? Will Bud finally find a place to call home?

While this plot seems pretty intense, Curtis has truly captured the voice of a 10 year-old boy. The book is filled with laugh out loud humorous scenes that make it a really enjoyable read. Curtis carefully slips in a great deal of historical events through Bud's experiences without disrupting the overall flow of the book. Bud's voice is one that will draw children into the story and this is truly a book that young readers will enjoy. Check out Bud, Not Buddy for a splash of history, a heap of humor and an overall good book.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Bud Caldwell encounters many things such as hornet's nest, a big bully, and a train hop. This might sound foolish but there's always a reason for his remarkable actions and choices. I recommend this funny book for ages 8-12. I recommend it for ages 8-12 because it is neither a hard read nor an adult plot, but it wouldn't be interesting for teenagers. Nothing will stop Bud from finding his father. He always carries around many flyers of a band... will the flyers help him or work against his intentions? Bud is the main character, and a very confident ten year-old boy who has unlimited bravery. He has a lot of incorrect understandings, which, much of the time, turn out to be hilarious. He is named Bud, not Buddy, because his mother thought it would be more grown up for him. This book is set in the 1920's or 30's. Bud's courage and endurance taught me to keep on going, no matter what. Christopher Paul Curtis is a wonderful author, whose books are always a treat to enjoy. He writes his books in first person, just as a black child would. He has a lot of slang in his book such as, "My eyes don't cry no more." I think it makes his books a little bit of. I highly recommend this book in addition with, The Watsons Go To Birmingham-1963, for they are both funny and ad venturous. Happy reading!

Just Another Good Book

Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers is a riveting tale of heroism, in a time when death and sorrow were abundant. I give 4 stars to this book for the authors amazing use of characterization. The characters emotions are clear as day during battle and when he is alone to think about why he is in Vietnam. You feel like your actually in the war when the author paints a vivid picture of the battle scene. It's a fast read, but just slow enough to let your imagination run wild.
The plot of this novel is masterfully laid out, and it keeps you reading on and on wanting to know what will happen next. Perry is a 19 year old black man who leaves home to join the army. After basic raining he ends up on a plane to Vietnam. On the way he meets a black man named Peewee and they become best friends. Throughout the story they are forced to stick together to survive. They depend on each other and the rest of the squad to get them out alive. They are on the verge of death countless times.
Throughout the story your mind will dissolve and blend with that of the characters. You get 5 unique points of view, and the author goes in depth on three of them. Perry, Peewee, and Monaco just want to get out of the war and go back to the lives that they left behind. The story is deeply intertwined with the emotions of the characters. There is a point in time where the characters change, they start to go a little mad and they all develop there own beliefs on what this war is all about. The characters touch you and make you feel like you're actually in the story, it's an amazing effect.
Fallen Angels combines real life drama with a touch of fictional entertainment. This book shows you a picture of how life was back then, with an epic climax that will leave you exhausted, but begging for more. Quite simply a candidate for the Pulitzer.

Bloodshed... Insanity... Action... Terror... Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers tells the tragic story in the trenches and at the front lines of the Vietnam War through the innocent eyes of Richard Perry, a 17 year old African-American soldier from Harlem. He is leaving behind his younger brother and loving mother. After his dream of going to college falls through, he volunteers for the service unlike fellow draftees in 1967.
Death comes knocking at his door, day after day, night after night. The real bloody horror of warfare nearly rips his heart out while mosquitoes eat him alive and the unsettling guilt and images keep him from sleeping. He develops strong bonds with the men who are there to experience every emotion, fear, and thought with him. His comrades, especially humorous PeeWee, keep him going with their love and bravery. These courageous soldiers all came to Vietnam for different reasons, but all hope to get out alive.
The author did a brilliant job reaching deep into your soul and giving you a whole different perspective of the Vietnam War with the graphic realistic details. He also kept you hoping everything would be OK thoughout the whole book.
I think this book is and honest portrayal of what really went on in Vietnam. Death, friendship, lonliness, and fear are some of the main themes that made me feel like I was there.
With all the raw language, gruesome death, adult conflicts, and some sexual issues, I would recommend this book for mature audiences. If you are interested in reading about the real devistaion of war or want a book with unmatched realism and heroism, you would not be able to put this book down.

When I was in high school I hated every book we read. With the exception of one, Fallen Angels. This book depicts war the way it is, instead of like some books that don't really go into the detail of fire fights. It's not your typical boring school book assignment. The story is great as well. The fact that I enjoyed reading a book in english class is a good enough explanation to the merit of this book.

The book is about a talented basketball player called Greg "Slam" Harris. He is a 17 year old high school student who plays basketball. He used to go to a high school called Carver with his friends, but then got picked to to a school named Latimer. Mostly populated with white students. He has disagreements with the coach, but becomes good friends with assistant coach named Goldy.I think the book is great because I found things in common with the main character.Like how he plays basketball and he has trouble in school. And how he lives in the ghetto. This book is more than just a basketball book. The book describes how ghetto life is. How his best friend Ice gets involve with dealing drugs.
I think it's one of the greatest books Walter Dean Myers wrote.

....
Fiction

The theme of this book is: If you work hard at something, you will eventually achieve it.

I would recommend this book to all teenagers of all racial backgrouds because everyone can relate to it.

The story started out introducing all of Greg "Slam" Harris' family members. Greg and his family lives in a suburb house in the "hood". Greg has the potential to go all the way to the professional leagues in basketball if he just keeps his grades right in school. Greg just switched schools from the all black Carver, to the predominately white Latimer. This new school is much more strict on the curriculum and it is showing through his grades. Another problem is that everytime a teacher tells Greg about his grades, he just gets mad and doesn't want to hear it. Greg was helped by a tutor and started to do better in his school work. Next, Greg was faced with another problem. His friend "Ice" was selling drugs, but Greg did not know how to bring up the issue to him without Ice thinking he is dissing him. With the love of basketball, Greg brought his friend in the right direction.

This book will be very memorable for me, because it showed me how to overcome certain struggles in my life. This book kept me wanting to read more and more.

The only mattre that the book left out in my opinion, was the fact that the audience does not know what Greg does after high school. I wanted to know if he really went to the pros or not.

The book affected me in the fact that when something will seem hard for me, I will strive to work harder.

This book was very enjoyable and entertaining, and I wish that everyone could read this book because it teaches humans how to keep special relationships work.

This book is about a boy named Greg Harris. He is seventeen years old and is 6 feet and 4 inches tall. In the hood,people call him Slam. The story is about Slam who likes to play basketball. He sees players come and go. He feels maybe he'll make it to the top or he might stumble along the way. Slam lives with his Mom, Dad and his brother Derek. His best friend is Ice and his girlfriend named is Mtisha. The main thing Slam does in this story is played baketball with his teammates in school. One of Slam's problem is that he is failing math. The coach told him if he doesn't pass his math course,he would not be allowed to continue to play basketball with his team. My favorite character is Slam because I can relate to him wanting to play baketball and being the best he can. I can understand Slam having difficulty with math since I myself am having problems too. I have played basketball just like Slam. I enjoyed
this sport as much as Slam.
I enjoyed reading this book because I could really relate to the character,Slam. I liked this book. My favorite part was when Slam played one on one with his coach and Slam won. I also enjoyed reading that Slam overcame his diificulty with his math course.He obtained help from his gilfriend. I would keep the ending the same because it is a story about a school-aged boy.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to play basketball. Any person who like to read how a school-aged boy overcame his failing grade in order to continue what he loved the most, basketball.