An awe-inspiring autobiographical picture book about a young African American girl who lived during the shutdown of public schools in Farmville, Virginia, following the landmark civil rights case Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka. 
Most people think that the Brown vs. Board of Education decision of 1954 meant that schools were integrated with deliberate speed. But the children of Prince Edward County located in Farmville, Virginia, who were prohibited from attending formal schools for five years knew differently, including Yolanda. 
Told by Yolanda Gladden herself, cowritten by Dr. Tamara Pizzoli and with illustrations by Keisha Morris, When the Schools Shut Down is a true account of the unconstitutional effort by white lawmakers of this small Virginia town to circumvent racial justice by denying an entire generation of children an education. 
Most importantly, it is a story of how one community triumphed together, despite the shutdown.\nFrom School Library Journal\nGr 2–5—Many students will know about the desegregation of schools in the late 1950s and 1960s, or will have heard the story of Ruby Bridges. Few may realize that the state of Virginia was so opposed to integration that they closed public school for five years. Yolanda, a Black girl with deep ties to her community, wanted to go to school, but the lawmakers who were getting white students to private schools weren't helping her at all. A detailed bibliography makes it possible for students to do further research on this lesser known piece of history. For raising awareness of the tiered fates of the students in Virginia (and likely elsewhere), this book is an excellent starting place. But the text lurches from poetic notion to historical ones with little transition: "The year Yolanda Gladden was born, the United States looked much different than it does today. The country's cars, clothes, land, and even laws reflected old ideas—some were classic, and others were simply cold." As an opening line, this does not orient readers to what they are about discover. The artwork in the book is vibrant and engaging, giving readers strong images to go along with the text. VERDICT For those wanting to learn more about segregation and desegregation beyond Brown vs. the Board of Education, this is a necessary addition, despite its flaws.—Debbie Tanner

When the Schools Shut Down: A Young Girl's Story of Virginia's "Lost Generation" and the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Decision

Pizzoli, Dr. Tamara

Gladden, Yolanda

History

Harpercollins

Set in Accra, Ghana, The Ghanaian Goldilocks is a modern twist on the classic Goldilocks fairytale. Like traditional kente cloth, West African culture and themes are woven seamlessly into the story of a boy with sun lightened hair named Kofi, better known to his friends and family as Goldilocks. Like the Goldilocks in the traditional tale, Kofi has been known to get into some trouble here and there, but it's an unexpected visit to a neighbor's house that teaches him a valuable lesson of a lifetime.

The Ghanaian Goldilocks

Children's Books

Love228

F is for Fufu is an ABC book unlike any you've ever seen. Enjoy references to the modern West African tale The Ghanaian Goldilocks while learning more about the culture, people, traditions and staples of the gorgeous country of Ghana...all while practicing your ABCs!

F is for Fufu: An Alphabet Book Based on The Ghanaian Goldilocks

Literature & Fiction

Mythology & Folk Tales

Faith228

M is for Marrakech is a vibrant alphabet book that highlights cities around the globe in a fun and funky vintage poster inspired style. Short blurbs are provided for each fascinating place, providing readers with visually stimulating content that hopefully inspires them to find out more.

M is for Marrakech: An Alphabet Book of Cities Around the World

Education & Teaching

English SchoolHouse, The

M is for Mohawk: An Alphabet Book of Fresh Hairstyles is a fun and funky tour through the abc's of hairdos. Enjoy the simultaneously diverse and uniform illustrations on each page and get in on the fun by drawing your own hairstyle for letter Y.

M is for Mohawk: An Alphabet Book of Fresh Hairstyles

Not only is dancing all the fun, it's universal! Peruse the pages of this book to brush up on your ABCs and see how people all around the world get down and groove to the beat. When you're finished reading, put on your favorite song and try out a few moves of your own and some you've learned from the book!

B is for Breakdancing: An ABC Book of Ways to Shake What Your Momma Gave You

Education & Reference

The English Schoolhouse

K is for Kahlo is an artistic tour of the alphabet featuring notable artists from all around the globe. From painters to sculptors to muralists to architects, explore the creativity of some of the most influential artists in this vibrant and unique take on the abc's.

K is for Kahlo: An Alphabet Book of Notable Artists from Around the World

Lotus is an eight-year-old third grader who lives in the historic center of Rome, Italy. One Tuesday morning, while on her way to school, an unfortunate event occurs. Lotus has a delayed reaction to this unsettling occurrence. Her response proves to be too little too late, leading Lotus to learn the power of pondering, possibilities and tough lessons that may ultimately spark the discovery of one's life purpose.

Lotus and the Baby Bird

The King and the Flute: A Nigerian Tale

Z is for Zora: An Alphabet Book of Notable Writers from Around the World offers readers the possibility to explore and learn more about the who's who of literary excellence. Each letter of the alphabet is devoted to a writer who has contributed a great deal to literature arts, and a glossary with a brief description about each author can be found at the end of the book.

Z is for Zora: An Alphabet Book of Notable Writers from Around the World

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Books by Pizzoli, Dr. Tamara