I am looking for a children's literature biography of a famous African-American
Posted
February 11, 2012 at 3:53pm
· Edited
April 3, 2012 at 8:57pm · 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?
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Answer by Ottoman Umpire
Posted
February 11, 2012 at 6:23pm
· Edited
February 11, 2012 at 9:20pm
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
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 February 13, 2012 at 1:02pmKeith 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.
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