From slavery, jazz legend to alligator man

Hannah, who is studying U.S. history, finished studying the Civil War and slavery about a month ago: "I think black history is important to study so what led to slavery doesn't repeat itself. It's important to recognize the people who overcame racism."

Monica: "Studying history through literature reminds us of who has gone before us, the struggles our ancestors faced and why we should strive to do better with each generation, no matter how God shaded our outward appearance."

"Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave," by Laban Carrick Hill. Ages 3 to 6. Little, Brown and Co., $16.99.

Dave, a slave in South Carolina in the 1800s, was an accomplished potter. He created immense pots and jars out of the clay he dug up from the Carolina ground, mixing it with water from a nearby creek. His potter's wheel had to be kicked in order to spin. This was problematic after Dave lost his leg and a friend had to do the job for him. Dave was one of only two potters able to throw pots larger than 20 gallons, and Dave made some that could hold 40 gallons. Dave had to wrestle up to 60 pounds of clay on his wheel, a difficult feat. Many of his works had poems inscribed on the side, some whimsical, others grave. Dave's story is fascinating; all artists, especially potters, should read about his massive pots and special glaze.

"Play, Louis, Play!" by Muriel Harris Weinstein. Ages 8 to 12. Bloomsbury, $15.99.

This Louis Armstrong biography provides an easy, historical read for kids. Told from the perspective of Louis' first horn, which he saved pennies to buy, "Play, Louis, Play!" takes readers through Louis' musical life. He makes his start in a rough section of New Orleans, which was bursting with jazz. Louis loved the music so much that he hardly realized that he was in a section of the city so cruel it was referred to as the "Battleground."

An extremely creative biography, "Play, Louis, Play!" shows that with hard work and a lot of patience, anything can happen. With random illustrations, this book makes for a good choice for readers transitioning from picture books to chapter books.

"Fort Mose," by Glennette Tilley Turner. Ages 8 to 12. Abrams, $18.95.

Francisco Menendez escaped enslavement in South Carolina, running to St. Augustine, Fla., for his freedom. He founded Fort Mose in 1738 as the first free black community in the Colonies. Thirty-eight households made up the town, which also housed a blend of African, Spanish, American Indian and English people. Many of the men are members of the black militia and defend Florida from English invasion. Fort Mose becomes the southern destination of many travelers on the Underground Railroad — years before Harriet Tubman was born. A comparison of life in slavery and free life in Fort Mose, this book is a must-have for each classroom during Black History Month.

"Zora and Me," by Victoria Bond & T.R. Simon. Ages 9 to 12. Candlewick, $16.99.

I fell in love with the writings of Zora Neale Hurston in college. When I taught English, I included her "Eatonville Anthology" into every class that I could. I had the students read her short stories about the people of Eatonville and attempt to write their own anthology with tales starring their family and neighbors. Hurston's voice captured the town of Eatonville, the first incorporated black town in America that is now engulfed by the city limits of Orlando. The book preserves a place few realize existed.

In this work of fiction, the authors masterfully create a fourth-grade Zora and her friends Carrie and Teddy. They tell the story from Carrie's perspective. The children consistently find mischief. With Zora's knack of storytelling, each event is larger than life, just like Hurston's writing during the Harlem Renaissance. The book begins with Zora's suspicions that a man in the community can turn into an alligator and is hunting people. When a man enigmatically dies, the children try to solve the mystery. The authors tightly weave the plot around facts known about Hurston's life and the people in her books, but they keep the feel light and engaging. They stay true to the spirit of Hurston's storytelling while creating an entertaining book. "Zora and Me" is the best book for this age group that I've read this year.

P.S. If you are a Zora Neale Hurston fan, consider visiting Orlando one January to attend the annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival, www.zorafestival.com.

"Dear America. The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl. A Picture of Freedom. Belmont Plantation, Virginia, 1859." Ages 9 to 13. Scholastic, $12.99.

Scholastic has re-released its popular "Dear America" series. First published in 1997, "The Diary of Clotee" is reaching a new generation who enjoy historical fiction. Clotee dangerously learns to read as she serves as young William's "fanner." She fans the plantation's young master while he receives his lessons. Clotee uses the opportunity to learn along with him. When William's new tutor turns out to be a link in the Underground Railroad, Clotee considers freedom. Instead, she stays on the plantation to shoulder the job of helping people reach freedom once the tutor's cover is exposed. Based on the true story of Clotee Henley, this book reminds us how many rose above their circumstances and how education is a key for breaking out of many bonds. Clotee Henley helped many escape slavery and then helped many more escape ignorance by becoming a teacher.