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African American History

African American History

Need some help locating books and information for a school project or paper? Use this handy guide to help you get started. Click on the links to search the library’s online catalog for the exact location of items on this list.

General

305.8 B637t - Bolden, Tonya.
Tell All the Children Our Story: Memories and Mementos of Being Young and Black in America
Covers children's lives in America from the 1600s to the present (work, play, education); lots of paintings and photos.

305.8 H76a - Hoobler, Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler.
The African American Family Album
Focuses on African-Americans in the United States from slavery to freedom; excellent information on the Great Migration of African-Americans to the northern states in the early 1900s. Also covers work, family life, and the importance of religion.

Young Oxford History of African Americans
This series covers African-American history in great detail - each volume focuses on a short period of history and examines it from an African-American viewpoint.

815 H629
Historic Speeches of African Americans
Speeches by African Americans, from colonial times to modern days. Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr., and Barbara Jordan are just some of the people included in this collection.

973.0496 M992n - Myers, Walter Dean.
Now is Your Time: the African-American Struggle for Freedom
Chronicles the struggle for freedom and equality in America. For older readers.

973.0496 Sa51k - Sanders, Nancy.
A Kid's Guide to African American History
A short introduction to African-American history and culture, with activities to do and games to play.

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History of Africa

960 Af83a
Africa's Glorious Legacy
History and excavation of ancient African cities in Nubia, West Africa, and South Africa. Great photos of ruins and computer reconstructions of how the cities would have looked.

960 H273a - Haskins, James and Kathleen Benson.
African Beginnings
Explores the civilizations of ancient Africa in a picture book format.

966.2 M217r - McKissack, Patricia and Frederick McKissack.
The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay: Life in Medieval Africa
Covers ancient rulers, cultures, and current archaeological excavations in Africa. For older readers.

966.9 B413m - Millar, Heather.
The Kingdom of Benin in West Africa
Examines the ancient culture of Benin in great detail, including religion, symbols, and art. Includes a chapter on modern Benin and how the ancient culture survives today.

966.9 M145a - MacDonald, Fiona.
Ancient African Town
A tour of the 17th century town of Benin in Africa. Lots of pictures and descriptions of the town and how people lived.

960 and 966
The Kingdoms of Africa
Each book in this series examines a different African kingdom. Click on the link to see the exact call number for each book in the series.

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Before 1863

306.36 D624g - Diouf, Sylviane.
Growing Up in Slavery
Examines the everyday life of children in slavery - work, play, living conditions, and dreams of escape.

306.36 M496t - Meltzer, Milton.
They Came in Chains: The Story of the Slave Ships
Covers the enslavement of Africans and how they were brought to America; includes the history of slavery in Africa, the miserable conditions slaves endured during the Middle Passage, and the revolts on the slave ships.

326 B47s - Bial, Raymond.
The Strength of These Arms: Life in the Slave Quarters
Contrasts the bleak living quarters of slaves with the luxurious houses of the plantation owners. Lots of photos.

326 H273b - Haskins, James.
Bound for America: the Forced Migration of Africans to the New World
Explores the origins and practice of slavery throughout history and how Africans were enslaved and brought to America. Short picture book format.

326 L567f - Lester, Julius.
From Slave Ship to Freedom Road
This book challenges readers to understand what it was like to be a slave; evocative paintings are paired with text that explores the terror and cruelty that slaves endured.

326 M992a - Myers, Walter Dean.
Amistad: A Long Road to Freedom
Tells the story of the slaves' revolt on the slave ship Amistad, their trial in the U.S., and eventual acquittal and return to Africa.

326 R182n - Rappaport, Doreen.
No More! Stories and Songs of Slave Resistance
Short stories of slave resistance and escapes are mixed with songs, illustrations, and poems.

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The Underground Railroad

973.7 F841b - Fradin, Dennis.
Bound for the North Star: True Stories of Fugitive Slaves
The stories of twelve daring escapes from slavery.

973.7 G683n - Gorrell, Gina.
North Star to Freedom: the Story of the Underground Railroad
Explores how the Underground Railroad developed and operated; the use of codes, passwords, signals, and disguises; and the risks that slaves and helpers faced. Also includes a short chapter on the lives of escaped slaves who fled to Canada.

973.7 H18m - Hamilton, Virginia.
Many Thousand Gone: African Americans from Slavery to Freedom
Short stories of life in slavery, including stories of slaves who escaped using the Underground Railroad and the free people who helped them.

973.7 H198f - Hansen, Joyce and Gary McGowan.
Freedom Roads: Searching for the Underground Railroad
Tells the story of archaeologists and historians investigating the Underground Railroad today.

973.7 H273g - Haskins, Jim.
Get On Board: The Story of the Underground Railroad
A history of the Underground Railroad and stories of slaves who escaped. For older readers.

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Freedom

326.R182f - Rappaport, Doreen.
Free at Last: Stories and Songs of Emancipation
This short book explores life after Emancipation and the discrimination that former slaves faced.

342.73 Sch37t - Schleichert, Elizabeth.
The Thirteenth Amendment: Ending Slavery
A historical overview of slavery, the civil war, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the 13th amendment that ended slavery.

394.26 B732j - Branch, Muriel Miller.
Juneteenth: Freedom Day
Explains the origin and meaning of the Juneteenth celebration; lots of personal stories and photos.

973.7 J268e - January, Brendan.
The Emancipation Proclamation
Covers the Civil War, Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation, and the end of slavery.

973.7 K589c - King, Wilma.
Children of the Emancipation
This short book focuses on children and how emancipation changed their lives. Lots of photos.

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Civil Rights Movement

322.4 H273p - Haskins, Jim.
Power to the People: The Rise and Fall of the Black Panther Party
Explores the history of the Black Panther Party and its leaders. For older readers.

323 F496w - Finlayson, Reggie.
We Shall Overcome: The History of the American Civil Rights Movement
A concise history of African-Americans' struggle for equal rights in education, public transportation and voting; covers marches, protests, and famous civil rights leaders. Includes a three page timeline.

323.1 B872f - Bullard, Sara.
Free at Last: A History of the Civil Rights Movement and Those Who Died in the Struggle
Covers the Civil Rights movement and tells the stories of forty men, women, and children who died fighting for freedom.

323.1 G293c - George, Linda and Charles George.
Civil Rights Marches. (Cornerstones of Freedom series)
This short book covers the famous marches of the civil rights movement and the role Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. played.

323.1 H273d - Haskins, Jim.
The Day Martin Luther King, Jr., Was Shot: a Photo History of the Civil Rights Movement
A broad overview of the civil rights movement, this book follows African-Americans' fight for freedom and equality from colonial times to the protests and demonstrations of the 1950s and 1960s.

323.1 H273s - Haskins, Jim.
Separate But Not Equal: The Dream and the Struggle
Covers desegregation and the history of black education. For older readers.

323.1 K414f - Kent, Deborah.
Freedom Riders. (Cornerstones of Freedom series)
A short summary of non-violent protests used to end desegregation and win voting rights; good coverage of bus protests.

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Famous African Americans

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Or look for these books:

355.C617b - Clinton, Catherine.
The Black Soldier: 1492 to the Present
Explores the history of African-American soldiers in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World Wars I & II, the Buffalo Soldiers, and the freedom fighters that led slave rebellions.

796.357 B736s - Brashler, William.
The Story of Negro League Baseball
Before baseball teams were integrated, African-Americans played on separate teams; this book explores the history of the teams, the star players, the discrimination they endured, and how the color barrier was finally broken.

920 K585h6 - Haskins, Jim.
I Have a Dream: The Life and Words of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The story of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and how he came to be a leader of the Civil Rights movement. Includes excerpts from King's speeches, sermons, and letters.

920.1 B561s - Haskins, Jim.
Black Stars of the Harlem Renaissance: African Americans Who Lived Their Dreams
A collection of short biographies of influential intellectuals, writers, artists, and musicians who lived in Harlem.

920.7 P656L - Pinkney, Andrea.
Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters
Stories of ten women who fought for change, freedom, and equality for African-Americans.

923 Al79e 2001 - Altman, Susan.
Extraordinary African-Americans
Brief profiles of over one hundred notable African-Americans, from 1733 to the present.

940.54 M217r - McKissask, Pat and Frederick McKissack.
Red-tail Angels: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II
The story of the famous pilots who were part of an experimental program to train African-Americans as fighter pilots; their success helped integrate the American military.

973.0496 M467c - Medearis, Angela.
Come This Far to Freedom: A History of African Americans
A collection of short biographies that focuses on individuals who fought against oppression.

978.Sch39b - Schlissel, Lillian.
Black Frontiers: A History of African American Heroes in the Old West
Tells the stories of African-American explorers, cowboys, pioneer families, rodeo stars, gold miners, and cavalry.

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Reference

These books can be found in the children's reference section. They have great information on African-American history, but can't be checked out - this way they are here whenever you come in. Don't forget, you can make copies of the information you find and take it home.

920.1 Af83c 2001 - Salzman, Jack.
African-American Culture and History: A Student's Guide
A four volume set that includes information on famous African-Americans, African-American colleges, historical era and events, legal cases, and cultural achievements. Volume 4 has a brief chronology of African-American history covering the years 1444-2000.

973.0496 As13h 1991 - Asante, Molefi and Mark T. Mattson.
The Historical and Cultural Atlas of African Americans
A good source for social and economic information up to 1991; has maps detailing population figures, family income, and education of African-Americans across the United States. Also covers the African-American experience from Ancient Africa to slavery, emancipation, the civil war, and the struggle for civil rights.

973.0496 C838t 1994 - Cowan, Thomas Dale and Jack Maguire.
Timelines of African-American History: 500 Years of Black Achievement
Covers major events in African-American history from 1492-1993. Events are divided into categories such as politics, civil rights, sports, journalism, and the military.

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Videos and DVDs

VHS 323.4 H629 c.1
A History of the Civil Rights Movement
Covers the fight to end discrimination and segregation, famous civil rights leaders, and memorable protests.

VHS 326 H629
A History of Slavery in America
An overview of slavery from the 1600s to Reconstruction; focuses on slave rebellions and the abolitionists' efforts to end slavery.

DVD 920 K585d2
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Historical Perspective
Explores Dr. King's life and how his beliefs developed; has rare film footage and photos.

VHS960.An22
Ancient Africa: Ancient Civilizations for Children
Information on ancient African cultures and civilizations, including religion, government, work, etc.

DVD 973.7 Un21
Underground Railroad
A broad overview of the Underground Railroad; special features include biographies of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Dredd Scott Case, and a timeline of key historical events.

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Web Sites

African-American World, PBS
Features an extensive timeline; resources on history, arts & culture, race & society, profiles of notable African-Americans; and the Reference Room, which has links to articles, web sites, and lists of recommended books and films.

California Cultures: African Americans
Images and documents related to African Americans in California history. Calisphere is website of the University of California.

Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1938
A collection of over 2,000 first person accounts of life in slavery at the Library of Congress.

African Americans
The Homework Center at the Multnomah County Library (Oregon) links to a large number of web sites on African-American history and biographies, including slavery and abolition, civil rights, the Underground Railroad, and more!

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