Children/Young Adult Book Awards: 1970-1979

Douglass overcame his beginnings as a slave to become the first black man to hold a diplomatic office. He was a great orator and also wrote several books. This play emphasizes his contributions.

A young deaf child who loves to run and jump and play is affectionately described by her older sister. ‘Can give young children an understanding of the fact that deaf children . . . share all the interests of children with normal hearing.' 'C. ‘A friendly, affirmative look [at the everyday experiences of the two sisters].' 'BL.

Justice's two brothers are identical twins. Although they look exactly alike, Thomas is mean while Levi is kind. One summer, mysterious, extrasensory powers threaten to tear the entire family apart. This is the first book in the "Justice" trilogy.

With her Uncle's encouragement a nine-year-old takes the first step toward realizing her dream of becoming a figure skater.

Poems expressing the hopes, fears, joys, and sorrows of growing up.

An African-American child dreams of long-ago Africa, where she sees animals, shops in a marketplace, reads strange words from an old book, and returns to the village where her long-ago granddaddy welcomes her. ‘Greenfield's lyrical telling and Byard's marvelous pictures make this book close to an ideal adventure for children, black or white.' -Publishers Weekly.

Presents more than 20 Afro-American folktales featuring the escapades of Brer Rabbit and more than 10 tales describing the lives of Afro-American slaves.

‘During the years following the Civil War in rural South Carolina where opportunities for blacks to go to school were nonexistent, [Mary McLeod Bethune had to overcome many obstacles to pursue her dream of education for all children]. Simply told, this biography of an outstanding black educator has excellent illustrations.' 'SLJ.

A biography of the Congresswoman from Texas, the first black woman ever to be elected to that office from the South.

A biography of the wife of the slain civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr.

An African-American child dreams of long-ago Africa, where she sees animals, shops in a marketplace, reads strange words from an old book, and returns to the village where her long-ago granddaddy welcomes her. ‘Greenfield's lyrical telling and Byard's marvelous pictures make this book close to an ideal adventure for children, black or white.' -Publishers Weekly.

A biography of the blind composer, pianist, and singer who was a child prodigy and went on to win nine Grammy awards.

At first, Everett is disappointed to find that his new neighbor is a girl.

"The vivid story of a black family whose warm ties to each other and their land give them strength to defy rural Southern racism during the Depression. . . . Entirely through its own internal development, the novel shows the rich inner rewards of black pride, love, and independence despite the certainty of outer defeat." -Booklist (starred review)

A maple seedling becomes separated from his mother tree, makes friends with a bottle and a log, and searches for his own place in life.

A biography of the African nationalist who led Tanganyika to independence, united that country with Zanzibar, and became the first president of Tanzania.

A biography of the black man who became a famous singer, actor, and spokesman for equal rights for his people.

Stuff doesn't know anyone when he first moves to 116th Street. But all of that changes when he meets Fast Sam, Cool Clyde, and Gloria. Stuff and the gang grow close that eventful year, and nothing is ever like it again. That's the year modern science gets them all in jail; Stuff falls in love and is unfaithful; and Cool Clyde and Fast Sam win the dance contest-almost.

With the depression bearing down on her family and food in short supply, Cassie Logan isn't sure where her next meal will come from. But there is one thing that she knows will always be there-the whispering trees outside her window. Cassie's trees are a steady source of comfort to her, but they also happen to be worth a lot of money. When Mr. Andersen tries to force Big Ma to sell their valuable trees, Cassie can't just sit by and let it happen. She knows that her family needs the money, but something tells her that they need the trees just as much. The beloved heroine of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry enchants us again in this story of strength and pride.

An allegorical tale of Africa's struggle against the ravishment of its people and country.

Illustrated by George Ford In a beautiful new edition of this 1973 multiple award-winning biography, young readers learn the rags-to-riches story of legendary musician Ray Charles's life - from age 7, when he loses his sight completely, to age 40, when he performs to dazzled audiences world-wide and participates in the fight for racial justice. A new introduction by the author sets the context for Charles's journey to stardom, and an afterword updates his life to the present.

Benjie can stop using heroin anytime he wants to. He just doesn't want to yet. Why would he want to give up something that makes him feel so good, so relaxed, so tuned-out? As Benjie sees it, there's nothing much to tune in for. School is a waste of time, and home life isn't much better. All Benjie wants is for someone to believe in him, for someone to believe that he's more than a thirteen-year-old junkie. Told from the perspectives of the people in his life-including his mother, stepfather, teachers, drug dealer, and best friend-this powerful story will draw you into Benjie's troubled world and force you to confront the uncertainty of his future.

Until her birthday a young girl is convinced everyone makes promises to her that only she remembers.

Brief biographies of thirteen prominent African women emphasizing their achievements in their chosen careers. Included are Angie Brooks, Margaret Kenyatta, and Miriam Makeba.

Eleven short stories explore the experience of being black in a white world.

Illustrated by George Ford In a beautiful new edition of this 1973 multiple award-winning biography, young readers learn the rags-to-riches story of legendary musician Ray Charles's life - from age 7, when he loses his sight completely, to age 40, when he performs to dazzled audiences world-wide and participates in the fight for racial justice. A new introduction by the author sets the context for Charles's journey to stardom, and an afterword updates his life to the present.

The Autobiography of a Boy of Summer Who Became a Man for All Seasons

Before Barry Bonds, before Reggie Jackson, before Hank Aaron, baseball's stars had one undeniable trait in common: they were all white. In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke that barrier, striking a crucial blow for racial equality and changing the world of sports forever. I Never Had It Made is Robinson's own candid, hard-hitting account of what it took to become the first black man in history to play in the major leagues.

I Never Had It Made recalls Robinson's early years and influences: his time at UCLA, where he became the school's first four-letter athlete; his army stint during World War II, when he challenged Jim Crow laws and narrowly escaped court martial; his years of frustration, on and off the field, with the Negro Leagues; and finally that fateful day when Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers proposed what became known as the "Noble Experiment"—Robinson would step up to bat to integrate and revolutionize baseball.

More than a baseball story, I Never Had It Made also reveals the highs and lows of Robinson's life after baseball. He recounts his political aspirations and civil rights activism; his friendships with Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, William Buckley, Jr., and Nelson Rockefeller; and his troubled relationship with his son, Jackie, Jr.

The moving and beautiful autobiography of a talented black woman. ". . . I have no words for this achievement, but I know that not since the days of my childhood . . . have I found myself so moved . . . Her portrait is a Biblical study of life in the midst of death".--James Baldwin.

Unbought and Unbossed is Shirley Chisholm's account of her remarkable rise from young girl in Brooklyn to America's first African-American Congresswoman. She shares how she took on an entrenched system, gave a public voice to millions, and sets the stage for her trailblazing bid to be the first woman and first African-American President of the United States. By daring to be herself, Shirley Chisholm shows us how she forever changed the status quo. This expanded edition, edited by Scott Simpson, digs deeper with analysis by experts like Donna Brazile and Shola Lynch exploring Shirley Chisholms impact on today and tomorrows world.

Potent and powerful poetry, including her hallmark poem "I am a Black Woman"

Here is the story of the birth of Jesus retold in the idiom of Liberians newly acquainted with the English language. To the storytellers of Liberia, Bible stories become poems, or spoken songs. So it is with this simple and tender version of the Nativity. Long out of print, this special picture book is available again to a new generation of readers.

Twenty black and Puerto Rican children write their poetic impressions of growing up in the ghettos of America.

Records the feelings of New York elementary school children toward the word "black."

Twenty-one outstanding black men and women illustrated the progress of black achievement from the 14th to the 20th century in widely different fields of endeavor. Included are Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune, Daniel Hale Williams, and W.E.B. Du Bois.

When her grandmother is hurt in a fall, Mary Jo must get help to the remote farm where they live.

A biography of the minister, orator, and crusader for equal civil rights who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.