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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.





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