African American Phase IV

Norton’s PHASE IV: Historical Fiction

Studying the historical fiction in Phase IV introduces types of conflict that were encountered by members of the culture.

    Boyd, C.D. (1987). Charlie Pippin. New York: Macmillan.
Spunky eleven-year-old Charlie hopes to understand her rigid father by finding out everything she can about the Vietnam War, the war that let him survive but killed his dreams. Gr. 4-8

    Childress, A. (1975). When the rattlesnake sounds: a play. New York: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan.
Active in the abolitionist movement and the underground railroad, Harriet Tubman discusses freedom and slavery with her co-workers. Gr. 7-12

    Greenfield, E. (1979). Childtimes: a three-generation memoir. New York: Crowell.
Childhood memoirs of three black women--grandmother, mother, and daughter-who grew up between the 1880's and the 1950's. Gr. 4-up

    Hansen, J. (1994). The captive. New York: Scholastic Inc.
Kofi's safe world is suddenly shattered by ghostly white men who have arrived from the coast, stealing his people to sell into slavery. Gr. 5-up

    Hansen, J. (1986). Which way freedom? New York: Walker
Obi escapes from slavery during the Civil War, joins a black Union regiment, and soon becomes involved in the bloody fighting at Fort Pillow, Tennessee. Gr. 6-9

    Hamilton, V. (1989). The bells of Christmas. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
Twelve-year-old Jason describes the wonderful Christmas of 1890 that he and his family celebrate in the their home in Springfield, Ohio. Gr. 2-4

    Taylor, M.D. (1981). Let the circle be unbroken. New York: Dial Press.
Four black children growing up in rural Mississippi during the Depression experience racial antagonisms and hard times, but learn from their parents the pride and self-respect they need to survive. Gr. 7-up

    Taylor, M.D. Mississippi bridge. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.
During a heavy rainstorm in 1930s rural Mississippi, a ten-year- old white boy sees a bus driver order all the black passengers off a crowded bus to make room for late-arriving white passengers and then set off across the raging Rosa Lee Creek. Gr. 3-7

    Taylor, M.D. (1991). Roll of Thunder, hear my cry. New York: Puffin Books.
In the late 1940s Doris Winters follows her dream to be a singer, rising from church choir member to pop star. Gr. 6-12