Poet and author Mahogany L. Browne spoke with TeachingBooks.Net about the creation process and backstory of her latest book, Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice. Click here to listen to Mahogany’s interview!
Meet the Creator: Mahogany L. Browne
Tag: Poetry
Storytime: Mahogany L. Browne reads WOKE: A Young Poet’s Guide to Justice
A great read-aloud for National Poetry Month! Author Mahogany L. Browne gives a read-aloud performance of WOKE: A YOUNG POET’S GUIDE TO JUSTICE, written by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood; illustrated by Theodore Taylor III; foreword by Jason Reynolds.
Woke: A Young Poet’s Guide to Justice is a collection of poems to inspire kids to stay woke and become a new generation of activists.
Praise for WOKE:
★ “Read it; gift it; use it to challenge, protect, and grow.”—Kirkus, starred review
★ “An important book that demands to be seen. It adds to the conversation of #OwnVoices and speaks to a young person’s need for expression and social justice.”—School Library Journal, starred review
Author Interview with Dita Kraus, the Librarian of Auschwitz, and more books for Holocaust Remembrance Day
Dita Kraus grew up in Prague in an intellectual, middle-class Jewish family. Taken, along with her mother and father, from the Terezín ghetto in Prague, fourteen-year-old Dita was one of the many imprisoned by the Nazis at Auschwitz. There, she met Jewish leader Freddy Hirsch, who put Dita in charge of protecting eight precious volumes that prisoners managed to sneak past the guards. And so, Dita became known as the Librarian of Auschwitz.
Dita shares her remarkable life story in her breathtaking new memoir for teens and adults, A DELAYED LIFE. Dita’s incredible story was also fictionalized in the outstanding young adult novel, THE LIBRARIAN OF AUSCHWITZ.
Read an interview with Dita Kraus and find more books to share with young readers for Holocaust Remembrance Day here.
Storytime: Charles R. Smith Jr. reads BLACK JACK: THE BALLAD OF JACK JOHNSON
A great read-aloud for National Poetry Month! Author Charles R. Smith Jr. gives a read-aloud performance of BLACK JACK: THE BALLAD OF JACK JOHNSON, giving readers and listeners some fascinating historical insight throughout his reading.
Jack Johnson was one of the most renowned Black boxers of the twentieth century. Through hard work and persistence, he climbed the ranks, taking a swing and a jab and eventually busting the color barrier. As the first black man to win the Heavyweight Championship, there was more than a title on the line.
This beautiful picture book is an extraordinary marriage of poetry and fabulous collage artwork by Shane W. Evans.
“Charles Smith’s poetry surges along, with a forceful rhythm that joins ballad and rap, as he follows ‘a mighty, fightin’ man,’ challenging the color line as well as individual opponents around the world. Shane Evans’ illustrations make Johnson’s body a monument to intelligence and power.” —Chicago Tribune
★ “This book is sure to be championed by reluctant readers with energy and restlessness just like Johnson’s, but it is a strong selection for library and classroom read-alouds as well.” —School Library Journal starred review
★ “The elegant simplicity and rat-a-tat rhythms land some stunners . . . enhanced by Evans’ lithe and swaggering artwork, which lends a tremendous visual charisma, grace, and grandeur.” —Booklist starred review
Celebrate National Poetry Month This April!
Download our new National Poetry Month poster, featuring WOKE written by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood; illustrated by Theodore Taylor III; foreword by Jason Reynolds
Historically poets have been on the forefront of social movements. Woke is a collection of poems by women that reflects the joy and passion in the fight for social justice, tackling topics from discrimination to empathy, and acceptance to speaking out.
We’re celebrating all month long on social media with our favorite poems and poets–follow along at #mackidspoetry!
Staff Picks: Spring 2020 Picture Books
Add these picture books to your must-read list! The School & Library team shares more about these outstanding staff picks here.
MARCH NEWSLETTER: DISCOVER BOOKS FOR NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!
Read our March newsletter for new releases, a spotlight on author Gene Luen Yang, and our sweepstakes for a chance to win our poetry kit! Sign up for the School & Library newsletter here.
Staff Picks: Fall 2019 Middle Grade Books
The School & Library team shares some of our favorite upcoming middle grade books here.
Celebrate National Poetry Month this April!
Download our new National Poetry Month poster, featuring HOME RUN, TOUCHDOWN, BASKET, GOAL! — a rhyming picture book, perfect for little sports fans! Plus, find a full list of our favorite poetry books on the back. We’re celebrating all month long on social media with our favorite poems and poets–follow along at #mackidspoetry!
MARCH GIVEAWAY: WIN A POETRY KIT!
This giveaway has now ended. Check our giveaway page for more chances to win books for your classroom or library!
Enter for a chance to win a set of some of our favorite and award-winning poetry books to help celebrate National Poetry Month, including Home Run, Touchdown, Basket, Goal! by Leo Landry; Wet Cement by Bob Raczka; Hypnotize a Tiger by Calef Brown; Keeping the Night Watch by Hope Anita Smith; illustrated by E.B. Lewis ; and My Book of Life by Angel by Martine Leavitt. Giveaway ends March 31st at 11:59 PM ET.