The Small Virtual Library
February 2022
Celebrate Black History Month
Black History Month was established to commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent. American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week nearly a century ago. The event was first celebrated during the second week of February 1926, this week was selected because it coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and abolitionist/writer Frederick Douglass (February 14). That week would continue to be set aside for the event until 1976 when, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, it was expanded to a month. Since then, U.S. presidents have proclaimed February as National African American History Month.
The History of Black History Month
This month's books feature biographies of Black Americans that have shaped and contributed to the progress of Black Americans in our country and the history of the United States.
The Fight for Freedom and Civil Rights
Frederick Douglass: A Noble Life
Other Frederick Douglass biographies available in the library:
- The Life of Frederick Douglass: A Graphic Narrative of a Slave's Journey from Bondage to Freedom
- Escape from Slavery: The Boyhood of Frederick Douglass in His Own Words
- Frederick Douglass, in His Own Words
- Frederick Douglass: For the Great Family of Man
Lifting as We Climb: Black Women's Battle for the Ballot Box
This Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book and National Book Award longlisted work tells the important, overlooked story of black women as a force in the suffrage movement—when fellow suffragists did not accept them as equal partners in the struggle.
Available in the Small Library
Mighty Justice: The Untold Story of Civil Rights Trailblazer Dovey Johnson Roundtree
A young reader's adaptation of Mighty Justice: My Life in Civil Rights, the memoir of activist and trailblazer Dovey Johnson Roundtree.
Harriet Tubman, Secret Agent: How Daring Slaves and Free Blacks Spied for the Union During the Civil War
Available in the Small Library
Political Leaders and Figures
A to Z of African-American Political Leaders
President Barack Obama
Available on MackinVia
Biographies also available in the Small Library
First Lady Michelle Obama
Attorney, author, and first African-American first lady of the US.
Available on MackinVia
Biography also available in the Small Library
Colin Powell: General and Statesman
Politician, diplomat and retired four-star general who served as the first African-American Secretary of State.
Biographies also available in the Small Library
Condaleeza Rice
The first Black Female Secretary of State.
Available on MackinVia
Biography available in the Small Library
Shirley Chisolm
The first African-American female elected to Congress
Click here to read all about her:
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/history/african-american-heroes/shirley-chisholm/
Biography available in the Small Library
Titans and Experts in their Fields
Upclose: Oprah Winfrey
Talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist and media mogul.
Available on MackinVia
Additional biographies available in the Small Library
Madam C.J. Walker: Entrepreneur
The first Black female self-made millionaire in America
Available on MackinVia
Biography also available in the Small Library
Pathfinders
The Journey of Sixteen Extraordinary Black Souls
Available on MackinVia
George Washington Carver: Planting Ideas
Available on Sora
Biographies also available in the Small Library
African American Inventors
For more than three centuries, African American inventors have been coming up with ingenious ideas. In fact, it is impossible to really know American history without also learning about the contributions of black discoverers. This collection brings their stories to life.
African American Entrepreneurs
Available in the Small Library
Carter G. Woodson: Father of African-American History
Known as the "Father of " Carter G. Woodson was a scholar whose dedication to celebrating the historic contributions of Black people led to the establishment of Black History Month, marked every February since 1976.
Hidden Figures: The Untold True Story of Four African-American Women Who Helped Launch Our Nation into Space
Available in the Small Library
Inspirational Athletes
Arthur Ashe: Tennis Great & Civil Rights Leaser
The first Black tennis player selected to the United States Davis Cup team and the only black man ever to win the singles title at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open.
Available on MackinVia
Biographies also available in the Small Library
Jackie Robinson: baseball Great and Civil Rights Activist
The first African American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era.
Available on MackinVia
Biographies also available in the Small Library
Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball and is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
Available on MackinVia
Wilma Rudolph: Track and Field Inspiration
World record holding Olympic champion, international sports icon, and civil right's and women's pioneer.
Available on MackinViaBiography available in the Small Library
Jesse Owens
Four time Olympic gold medalist and regarded as the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history.
Available on Sora
Biographies also available in the Small Library
Music Royalty
Aretha Franklin
The Queen of Soul
Biography available in the Small Library
Jimi Hendrix
The greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music.
Stevie Wonder, Musician
Successful songwriter, musician, pioneer, and influencer.
Available on MackinVia
Run DMC
The first hip-hop group to achieve a gold record.
Available on MackinViaRay Charles
"The Genius" and pioneer of soul.
Available on MackinVia
Biography also available in the Small Library
Spirit Seeker: John Coltrane's Musical Journey
Jazz saxphonist and composer.
Available on MackinViaLegends and Firsts
Up Close: W.E.B. Dubois
The first African American to earn a doctorate. Sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, author, writer, and editor.
Nat Love
One of the most famous heroes of the Old West.
Available on Sora
Biographies available in the Small Library
Phyllis Wheatley
The first African-American author of a published book of poetry.
Biographies available in the Small Library
Spike Lee
Oscar, Golden Globe, and Emmy Award winning film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and professor.
Biographies available in the Small Library
Walter Dean Myers
Newbery Award winning and New York Times bestselling author of young adult and children's books. He has written more than 100 books and has won the Coretta Scott King Award 5 times.
Available on MackinViaBiography available in the Small Library
38 Walter Dean Myers books available in the library!
FOR FUN!!
Click the link below to help me uncover the image in this month's mystery stickerboard mural!
Looking for a great podcast to listen to?
Here are some videos to help you get started:
MackinVia
Connect with the Small Library and the Small Librarian, Ms. Sylvia
Stop by the library any time M-F between 8 am and 4 pm.
I check my email and Blend frequently M-F throughout the school day of 8 am to 3:50 pm.Email: deanna.sylvia@austinisd.org
Website: http://smallmslibrary.weebly.com/
Location: Small Middle School, Monterey Oaks Boulevard, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: (512)841-6717