Together Through Books: Black History Month
National Black History Month, February 2025
February is National Black History Month, a time to honor the achievements, history, and contributions of Black Americans throughout U.S. history. It was established to recognize the significant impact Black leaders, artists, scientists, educators, and activists have made in shaping our nation. Black History Month also reminds us to reflect on the struggles for equality and justice that continue today. By learning about figures like Harriet Tubman, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, and many others, we gain a deeper understanding of the diverse stories that make up American history. This month is an opportunity for our small school community to explore these important lessons through books, discussions, and projects. Celebrating Black history helps us appreciate the strength and resilience of those who have fought for civil rights. It also encourages us to think about how we can contribute to a more inclusive and just future. Let's continue learning, sharing, and growing together this February.
Together Through Books
Here are three excellent books by notable Black American authors for middle school readers:
"Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson – This award-winning memoir in verse shares Woodson's experiences growing up as a young Black girl in the 1960s and 70s, exploring themes of identity, family, and finding her voice as a writer.
"New Kid" by Jerry Craft – A graphic novel about Jordan Banks, a Black middle schooler navigating life at a predominantly white private school. This relatable and engaging story explores themes of race, friendship, and being true to yourself.
"Ghost" by Jason Reynolds – The first book in the Track series, Ghost follows Castle "Ghost" Cranshaw, a young boy with a talent for running who joins a competitive track team while facing personal challenges. It’s a powerful story about perseverance and self-discovery.
These books are not only engaging but also spark important conversations about identity, diversity, and personal growth.
February’s Book of the Month
Each month, Hemispheres Academy students read the same book and virtually meet to discuss it together. This month, our book is Saturday by Oge Mora. Oge Mora is an author and illustrator of children's books. She has received many honors, including a Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for New Talent, and Ezra Jack Keats Book Award in 2019 for her book, Thank You, Omu!. Her parents emigrated from Nigeria to Columbus, Ohio.
Our students are enjoying Saturday, a story about a mother and daughter on a journey that reminds them of what's best about Saturdays: precious time together. We chose Saturday as February's Book of the Month not only for the important reminder to spend time together with those who are dear to us, but also for its theme of resilience. Resilience is the ability to recover from hard things or challenges. One way to do that is to understand things you can control and things you cannot. Students worked on recognizing areas they have control over and things they do not.
