Black Lives Matter: Third Grade Reads Books by Black Authors

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon C. James  was read aloud by Ann BB to each of the third grade classes. This picture book published in 2017 has won many awards both for the writing and the illustrations. Some of the awards include the Newbery Award, Caldecott Award, Coretta Scott King Award and the Ezra Jack Keats Award.  Ann shared Derrick Barnes's journey to becoming a children's book author. He began his career after graduating from college with a degree in marketing as the first African American male staff writer hired to write for Hallmark Cards. From there he started writing and publishing children's books.

While reading aloud this book, students had the opportunity to share their thinking with a partner and engage in  class discussion. They reflected on the big idea in the story and on Derrick Barnes' words in A Note From the Author in the back of the book. Derrick wrote: "Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut" focuses on the humanity of black boys/sons/brothers/nephews/grandsons, and how they see themselves when they highly approve of their refections in the mirror. Deep down inside, they wish that everyone could see what they see: a real life, breathing, compassionate, thoughtful, brilliant, limitless soul that matters-that desperately matters. We've always mattered."  Students were also given the opportunity to write about the book in their journal. 

Nikki Grimes and Derrick Barnes have both written fiction chapter books featuring Black main characters.  Jeanne's class read Dyamonde Daniel: Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel by Nikki Grimes in December and Felix's class is presently reading this book. Students explore issues surrounding friendship, family and identity in this book and how friendships can develop even when it doesn't first appear possible. Jeanne's class is reading Ruby Booker and the Booker Boys by Derrick Barnes. Students explore similar issues in this book as well. Both books include fully developed characters, compelling problems and solutions that students can apply to similar situations in their own lives.