Posted Feb 11 at 6:53am · Edited Apr 3 at 11:57am · Important

My daughter is assigned to do a book report on a famous African-American.  Can anyone suggest a book that is at an appropriate level for an advanced reader 4th grader that is not packed too full of left-wing propaganda? 

Ottoman Umpire: Is it OK if they're historical figures, as opposed to someone alive today?

Lucy Pevensie: Yes, historical figures are fine.  Unfortunately, it turns out that she wants it to be a woman, and it is not supposed to be someone too well known, so Harriet Tubman is out.  I am considering this  Marian Anderson biography. 

Daniel Turner: Sojourner Truth is the name that immediately came to mind. How long of a biography is needed? This one is published by Scholastic, so it might be PC - http://www.amazon.com/Sojourner-Truth-Woman-Scholastic-Biography/dp/0590446916/. Or there's this Christian biography -http://www.amazon.com/Sojourner-Truth-Freedom-Readers-Christian/dp/1586609513/.

Edited on Feb 13 at 4:02am

Keith Doherty: Zora Neale Hurston might be an interesting subject, though sorry I don't know offhand any good grade-school level material about her.

http://www.theroot.com/views/why-zora-neale-hurston-was-conservative

DrewInWisconsin: Sojourner Truth would be a good selection, or perhaps Mary McLeod Bethune (http://www.amazon.com/Mary-McLeod-Bethune-Crowell-Biographies/dp/0064461688.

Olive: George Washington Carver is worth reading about. He was orphaned and went on to live an amazing life. I read his biography by John Perry. It was decent and gave proper place to the subject's faith. I think a fourth grader could read it. I noticed other kid-friendly biographies of GWC on Amazon also. 

Matt B.: Probably any biography of Jackie Robinson in the kids section of the local library would be perfect. Plus, you get the added bonus of knowing he was a Republican. Well, I don't know if your daughter is into baseball, but that might work.

Matt B.: Probably any biography of Jackie Robinson in the kids section of the local library would be perfect. Plus, you get the added bonus of knowing he was a Republican. Well, I don't know if your daughter is into baseball, but that might work.

Western Chauvinist: How about Condoleezza Rice? I searched Children's Books at Amazon and it looks like there are several which might be age-appropriate.

DocJay: Jackie Robinson for sure! Not famous but I love the novel"Sounder"

Rick Blaskovich: Thomas Sowell comes to mind.

Greg Cook: If you're looking for a black woman of real achievement, I second "Zora Neale Hurston." There's children's biography, about twenty years old now, called Sorrow's Kitchen  that focuses more on her achievements than her obstacles. Your daughter can read it without coming away with a victimhood outlook. 

thelonious: I beleive Terry Teachout recently wrote a biography about Louis Armstrong.  A lot of great biographies about jazz musicians.  i.e Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis.  Stay away from Miles Davis autobiography.  Language is a little salty for a 4th grader.

Join Ricochet or Sign In to add your comment.

Answer by Ottoman Umpire

Posted Feb 11 at 9:23am · Edited Feb 11 at 12:20pm

How about a biography of George Washington Carver, like this one?  Other candidates might be Booker T. Washington, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth.

Also, here's a list of possibilities from the National Black Republicans Association

Join Ricochet or Sign In to add your comment.


Would you like to answer this Question?

Become a Member for $3.67 a month.

Join the Conversation
Already a member? Sign In
Loading

Welcome Visitor

Already a Member?
Please Sign In

Become a Member to enjoy the full benefits of Ricochet:

Join Ricochet today!

Already a Member? Sign In