The Eighteenth National African-American Read In: “Schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, community and professional organizations, and interested citizens are urged to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by hosting and coordinating Read-Ins in their communities. Hosting a Read-In can be as simple as bringing together friends to share a book, or as elaborate as arranging public readings and media presentations that feature professional African American writers.” The Read-In will be held Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 (for schools). It is sponsored by the Black Caucus of NCTE and by NCTE.

See the NCTE recommended bibliography and new releases recommended bibliography, both of books for children and young adults. Note: PDF files.

Related Cynsational Books of 2006 (by/about African Americans) include: Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Hyperion)(illustrator interview); Casey at the Bat by Ernest L. Thayer, illustrated by Joe Morse (Kids Can Press/KCP Poetry)(illustrator interview); Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom by Tim Tingle, illustrated by Jeanne Rorex Bridges (Cinco Puntos)(recommendation); All of the Above by Shelley Pearsall (Little Brown)(interview); and Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper (Atheneum).

Learn more about Varian Johnson, Michelle Meadows, Don Tate, Cornelius Van Wright, Rita Williams-Garcia, and Lori Aurelia Williams.

See the CBC Showcase: January/February: Black History Month from Children’s Book Council.

Happy Martin Luther King Day!