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, 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.

Please be sure to click on the book covers as the book trailers this week are amazing! This speaks not only to the passion that these authors have for writing, but also some are created by readers just like you, who were passionate about these books. Enjoy!

Click here to visit the author's site and learn more about Kwame Alexander.

His awards and honors include:

• John Newbery Medal
• The Coretta Scott King Author Honor
• The Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Prize
• 2017 Inaugural Pat Conroy Legacy Award

Click here to visit the author's site and learn more about Jacqueline Woodson.

Her awards and honors include:

• Caldecott Medal
• Coretta Scott King Award
• National Book Award
• National Ambassador for Young People's Literature
• MacArthur Fellowship
• Hans Christian Andersen Award

Click here to visit the author's site and learn more about Jason Reynolds.

Her awards and honors include:

• Coretta Scott King Award- Steptoe Award for New Talent
• NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Youth/Teen

My office ours are M-F 11 am to 12 pm but I check my email frequently M-F throughout the school day of 8 am to 4 pm.

Email: deanna.sylvia@austinisd.org
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