African American - Resources for Child Reading | Teacher Reading Resources

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African American Classroom Guides

LEE & LOW BOOKS is committed to serving the needs of today's teachers and students. It is our goal to provide educators with books that address the experiences of people of all backgrounds, but especially children of color—who now make up more than half of the school population. Our diverse collection of African American books for children includes contemporary fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. In addition, we publish historical fiction and biographies, often focusing on lesser-known figures who have been ignored by traditional history books. Our African American books for children give these heroes their day in the sun and make their contributions known to a wider audience of readers.

Our books for children also satisfy the requirements of national standards. Our Active Learner Classroom Guides are FREE for classroom use and are available in both on-line format and as downloadable PDFs.

Active Learner Classroom Guide Common Features:

Reading Levels and Themes
Story Synopsis and Background Information
Special Teaching Tips
Pre-Reading Focus Questions
Exploring the Book
Setting a Purpose for Reading
Vocabulary
After-Reading Discussion Questions
Literature Circles
Reader's Response
Other Writing Activities
ELL/ESL Teaching Strategies
Interdisciplinary Activities
About the Author and Illustrator
Web Resources

	GRADE 1-2 Reading Level Christmas Makes Me Think Guide The story of an African American boy who considers the meaning of giving and sharing and comes to understand the true spirit of Christmas. Themes: Holidays, Environment/Nature, Sharing/Giving, Homelessness, African American Interest Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 1-2 Reading Level Deshawn Days Guide In this uplifting story told in verse, a young boy living in the inner city projects tells about his hopes, fears and dreams. Themes: Family, Love, Growing Up, Self-esteem, Poetry, Urban Life, African American Interest Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2 Reading Level The Bus Ride Guide An African American girl discovers how one child can make a difference when she refuses to sit in the back of a bus. Themes: Personal Strength, Overcoming Injustice, Civil Rights, Sacrifice, Family Love, African American Interest Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2 Reading Level Children of Long Ago Guide In this book Lessie Jones Little uses poetry to recall her childhood in the early part of the twentieth century in rural North Carolina. Themes: Poetry/Verse, Family Traditions, African Americans, History, Early Childhood Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2 Reading Level Love to Langston Guide This inspiring biography celebrates Langston Hughes' life through poetry. Told in verse, this collection shows Langston throughout his life as he overcame many obstacles to become the beloved poet he is today. Themes: Biography, Langston Hughes, Poetry, Occupations, African American Interest Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2 Reading Level The Palm of My Heart Guide African American children celebrate the beauty of their lives and their culture through poetry. Themes: African American Interest, Self-Esteem, Community, Poetry, Family Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2 Reading Level The Piano Guide Set in the deep South of the early 1900s, an African American girl learns to play the piano from her white employer, and their mutual love of music rewards them with a friendship that transcends age and race. Themes: Music, Determination, Friendship (Intergenerational and Interracial), African American Interest Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2 Reading Level Rainbow Joe and Me Guide A girl learns the power of imagination from her blind neighbor. Themes: Imagination, Sensory Perception, Friendship, Art and Music, Dealing with Disabilities (Blindness), African American Interest Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2 Reading Level Strong to the Hoop Guide A boy finally gets to play basketball on the main court with the older boys, and has to prove he can hold his own. Themes: Sports, Self-esteem/Identity, Siblings, African Americans Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2-3 Reading Level Allie's Basketball Dream Guide Basketball is Allie's favorite sport. When her dad gives her a new basketball of her own, she hits the neighborhood courts, full of confidence. Once there, her enthusiasm ebbs as her shots fall short of the basket—at least at first. Themes: Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence, Sports, Friendship, Father-Daughter Relationship, African American Interest Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2-3 Reading Level The Jones Family Express Guide In his debut as both author and illustrator, Javaka Steptoe combines humor and warmth in the story of an African American boy who wants to make a special gift for his aunt when she comes to visit. Themes: Family, Togetherness, Urban Life, Creativity, Travel, Giving, African American Interest Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2-3 Reading Level Juneteenth Jamboree Guide A young girl experiences the traditions of Juneteenth, an emancipation holiday that celebrates the freeing of the last slaves in the U.S. Themes: Celebrations/Cultural Traditions, Community, Family, Moving, African American History, African American Interest Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2-3 Reading Level Night Golf Guide Set in the South of the late 1950s, an African American boy who longs to play golf is banned from the game because of the color of his skin. Themes: Golf, African American History, Self-esteem, Intergenerational Relationships, Discrimination, Friendship, Sports Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2-3 Reading Level Paul Robeson Guide A biography of Paul Robeson, who overcame racial discrimination to become an international entertainer and civil rights activist. Themes: Entertainers, Activism, Perseverance/Overcoming Obstacles and Hardships, Discrimination, Dreams and Aspirations, Education, Sports, African American and United States History Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2-3 Reading Level Ray Charles Guide A beautiful new edition of the award-winning biography of world-famous musician Ray Charles. Themes: Music/Musicians, Jazz, Overcoming Hardship, African American History Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2-3 Reading Level Rent Party Jazz Guide The story of an African American boy living in New Orleans in the 1930s who raises money to pay the rent with the help of a popular jazz musician. Themes: Music/Musicians, Jazz, Overcoming Hardship, African American History Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2-3 Reading Level Richard Wright and the Library Card Guide This is the true story of the renowned African American author Richard Wright and his determination to borrow books from the public library that turned him away because of his color. Themes: African Americans, Determination, Courage, Discrimination Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2-3 Reading Level Dear Mrs. Parks Guide Through her heartfelt correspondence with children, Rosa Parks, the "Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement," answers their questions while challenging them to embrace life's possibilities. Themes: Self-esteem, Values, Peer Pressure, Courage and Hope, Family, Education, Freedom, Justice, Social Issues, Civil Rights Movement, African American History Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2-3 Reading Level In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall Guide Twelve poets give testimony to the powerful bond between African American fathers, children, and grandchildren, in this brilliantly illustrated volume. Themes: Family, Poetry, Fathers, Grandfathers and Children Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2-3 Reading Level Elizabeti Series Guide Includes reference to the entire Elizabeti series, with special emphasis on Elizabeti's School. Perfect for back to school! Themes: Family, Growing Up, Sibling Relationships, Learning, Responsibility, School Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2-3 Reading Level Gettin' Through Thursday Guide A young African American boy experiences the love and support of his family as they try to make ends meet each week. Themes: Family, Single Mothers, Mothers and Sons, African American Interest Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2-3 Reading Level Keepers Guide An African American boy creates an innovative way to preserve — and add to — family stories and traditions. Themes: Traditions, Giving, Sports, African American Interest Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 2-3 Reading Level The Secret to Freedom Guide In the days before the Civil War, an enslaved girl and her older brother help slaves escape to freedom using the Underground Railroad quilt code. Themes: History, Quilting, Civil Rights, Discrimination, African Americans Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 3 Reading Level Brothers in Hope Guide A young boy unites with thousands of other orphaned boys to walk to safety in a refugee camp in another country, after war destroys their villages in southern Sudan. Based on true events. Themes: Overcoming Adversity, War, Discrimination, Tolerance, Coping with Death, Education, African History, African American Interest Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 3 Reading Level The Legend of Freedom Hill Guide A fictional story set during the California Gold Rush, in which a girl teams up with her best friend in search of gold to buy her mother's freedom from a slave catcher. Themes: California Gold Rush, African American History, Interracial Friendship, Jewish Interest, Bravery, Slavery Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 3 Reading Level Frederick Douglass: The Last Day of Slavery Guide The story of the African American abolitionist who, in one dramatic incident, discovered the meaning of freedom. Themes: Slavery, Biography, Peace, African American Interest Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 3 Reading Level Joshua's Masai Mask Guide Joshua's Masai Mask is a positive tale in which a young boy learns what it's like to be in someone else's shoes. Themes: Self-image, Competition, African Traditions, Role Models Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 3-4 Reading Level How We Are Smart Guide A multifaceted biography of twelve talented people that introduces readers to the eight ways people can be smart and the realization that intelligence is "not about how smart you are, but how you are smart." Themes: Learning, Creativity, Self-Esteem, Diversity, Occupations, Multiple Intelligences Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 3-4 Reading Level Saturday at the New You Guide A girl spends the day at her mother's hair salon, a neighborhood gathering place. Themes: Working Mothers, Community, Taking Children to Work Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 3-4 Reading Level Yasmin's Hammer Discussion Questions A young Bangladeshi girl who helps support her family by working in a brickyard finds a way to make her dream of going to school and learning to read a reality. Themes: Asian/Asian American Interest, Dreams & Aspirations, Education, Family Traditions, Overcoming Obstacles, Poverty Download Discussion Questions in PDF
	GRADE 3-4 Reading Level Zora Hurston and the Chinaberry Tree Guide The true story of the famous African American writer, who as a young girl learned about hope and strength from her mother. Themes: Dreams and Aspirations, Gender Roles, Death in Family, African American History Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 4 Reading Level Mama's Window Guide In the early 1900s, an orphaned African American boy learns about hope and family as he struggles to adapt to a new home with his uncle and keep alive his mother's dream of a stained-glass window for their church. For middle-grade readers. Themes: Family, Belonging, Hope, Fulfilling Dreams, African American Interest Download Classroom Guide in PDF
	GRADE 4 and up Reading Level Yummy Discussion Questions A graphic novel based on the life and death of Robert "Yummy" Sandifer, an eleven-year-old gang member from Chicago's Southside who was killed by his own gang members. Themes: Gang Violence, Family, Conflict Resolution, Coping with Death, Urban Life Download Discussion Questions in PDF

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Our Active Learner Classroom Guides are designed to help you, the teacher, deliver useful and practical information to your students. So, PLEASE feel free to email your comments and suggestions. If you have ideas for lesson plans to implement with any LEE & LOW titles, send them to us and we will include them with an acknowledgment.

Helpful resources can also be found at our Administrators section.

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