Thursday, February 9, 2012

On the Tenth Day of Black History...28 Days of Black History Excerpt

On the tenth day of Black History .....
My Blackness gave to me athleticism
Kobe Lebron Wilma Rudolph

On the Ninth Day of Black History.....28 days of Black History Excerpt


On the Ninth Day of Black History.....
Alicia Keys
Billie Holiday
click photo to learn more about Lady Day














My Blackness gave to me the gift of song via Be-Bop, Hip-Hop, 
The Gospel of Mahalia Jackson crooning over the troubles of the world,
Lift Every Voice and Sing!

Ella scatting, Bassie & Coltrane and all that Jazz
Leontyne Price and Marion Anderson’s Opera-sweet and nice,
Billie Holiday’s Blues lamenting over lynched lives,
Rock and Roll Soul thrives-with the God Father J.B.

Before long the Motown sound came about
Rhythm and Blues gave way to countless tunes

Following the blueprint of Curtis Blow’s aptitude to flow
Big Tif, Mc Lyte, Eric B. & Rakim came to rock the show

The King of  Pop dropped groundbreaking charts and reigned royalty with the sound of immortality
Prince serenaded us with soft and high controversial vocals that made some fuss

The Queen of soul made way for the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Ms. Mary J.
Alicia Keys used her vocal instrument and tools combined with the ivories of the keyboard and the musical master has had masses Falling every since

Neo Soul, old soul with a new twist and strong hold was next to unfold  
Spittin Baduizm, and Jilly from Philly’s poetic libretto’s,  India Arie, Angie Stone, Kindred the Family Soul & on and on the microphone won’t rest with new comer’s Coming From Where I’m From Anthony Hamilton Neo Soul’s son,  Jasmine Sullivan and Ledisi
Music is so much more than a beat

Reflection: 
1. What African-American singer/musician inspires you the most? Why?
2. What is your favorite genre of music and why?
3. What is your favorite song?

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

28 Days of Black History, On the Eighth Day...


On the Eighth day of Black History… 

My Blackness gave to me
Literary greats with no debate

Vast distinguished works speak
Dancing on the pages of poetry, novels, books and plays

Amiri Biraka pleaded “Who did what to the United States? “
Phenomenal Women who rose and activist who chose to compose literature that reflects a diverse people

Creative intellectual minds who wrote without the coat of sugar or syrupy sweet

Producing great characters such as Walter Lee Younger and Boy Willie & poems of Dreams we hear them speak volumes

Lucille Clifton lifting us

Still Thirsting for Hurston calling out for an S.O.S for Sanchez 
  Walter Dean Myers, Sharon Draper, Christopher Paul Curtis and Mildred D. Taylor’s Road to Memphis. Richard Wright,  Ralph Ellison the writing journey has begun-and I'm on board

Reflection:

1. Who is your favorite African-American Writer? Why?

2. Tell us about your favorite book by an African-American Author. Note the genre.

3. Research the characters, titles mentioned in the poem. Who wrote them and which body of work do they come from?

4. Research the authors mentioned in the poem. Name one title from each of their works.

5. Which modern day writers from the poem write Young Adult realistic fiction?

6. List at least eight African-American writers that are not listed in the poem and their contribution (title).


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

On the Seventh Day of Black History.....

On the Seventh Day of Black History.....
My Blackness gave to me Corn Rows and Afros, ring curls and hot combs all inspired by Madame C.J. Walker and Annie Turnbo Malone
Raged out Afro puffs, twists, and braids and stuff
Up do's  and short cuts and such
My crown gives me much versatility
Waves and curls and swoops and swirls I rock this mane with much attitude and thanks to my ancestors Who paid the dues for Willow whipping her hair and India's I Am Not My Hair but my hair is me
I am Free Straight, Natural naturally nappy, curled coiled hair Happy
Tresses woolly locks I rock on the seventh day of black history and to some my mane remains a Mystery

Reflection:

1. Which note worthy African Americans where noted in the poem?

2. What contributions did they make to American society? 


3. There are several different hair styles worn by African Americans. How many were mentioned in the poem? Now list seven of those styles and at least three more hair styles that are worn by African Americans?

Writing:
4. Write a paragraph/essay on each one of the ladies explaining their contributions.


Sunday, February 5, 2012

My Animoto Video

My Animoto Video

Literary History Makers & Risk Takers, Where Do I Fit In?

  
 Hear Her Speak

Still writing,
                 rhyming,
                          Always perfect timing,

Yesterday, tomorrow and today....
Literary History Makers   
Ego Trippers and Risk Takers,
              
              Phenomenal Women and Activist
                                                    Use powerful words as fist to win
                                          
                                                          Where do you fit in?
Find your place, post a comment. Leave your mark in history. Youth... Speak to me... 

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Alec London Virtual Book Tour


Alec London Virtual Book Tour
January 23 - February 3, 2011


INTRODUCING THE ALEC LONDON SERIES





The Alec London Series is a series written for boys, 8 – 12 years old. Alec London is introduced in Stephanie Perry Moore’s previously released series, The Morgan Love Series. In this new series, readers get a glimpse of Alec’s life up close and personal. The series provides moral lessons that will aid in character development, teaching boys how to effectively deal with the various issues they face at this stage of life. The series will also help boys develop their English and math skills as they read through the stories and complete the entertaining and educational exercises provided at the end of each chapter and in the back of the book.


Making the Team
Alec London is a fourth grader whose have a tough time. His dad is the new assistant principal at school; his classmate Tyrod is bullying him; his brother, Antoine is mad with him and his mom is going away for a long period of time because of her job. Through the game of football, lessons from his dad and a story about a man named Joseph, Alec learns that God cares about him and will help him out when he is struggling.

Learning the Rules
Alec feels abandoned by his mom. Now his brother Antoine and their cousin Little P are mad with him. At school when his tries to take up for a new kid in school he gets into trouble. Alec is trying to do his best but he just can’t seem to get things right. When he goes to church on Easter Sunday, the pastor shares a message that helps him to look at everything a different way.


Going the Distance
The school year is ending. Alec is looking forward to sleeping late and no bullying. But dad and mom have other plans for him this summer. Dad wants him to play baseball and mom puts him in an acting camp. He doesn’t want to do either but decides to try anyway. Alec hates baseball but dad won’t let him quit. He loves acting but mom won’t let him continue when he gets a part in a Disney show. Alec is upset with his parents but he learns that even when things don’t go his way he must still obey God by honoring his parents.


Winning the Battle
The summer is over and Alec is back in school. Tyrod has a new friend Zarrick who also bullies Alec and mom is still away. In response to all that's going on in his life Alec begins to act out in school, sleep in class and hang around with the wrong crowd. And, to protect himself, he starts taking karate lessons. With the help of his karate instructor, parents, old friends, Alec learns that being disciplined and learning to respond to things in a way that pleases God are important when it comes to winning the battle.


Taking the Lead
Alec is voted class president and joins the track team. Though Tyrod continues to bully him, Alec tries to become friends. Everything is going well for him until he loses his grandmother. Alec becomes sad and gets off track but running track and working with the Special Olympics kids helps him work through the things happening at home and school. When his team wins the county title Alec thinks about how proud his grandmother was of him for learning how to take the lead.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
STEPHANIE PERRY MOORE is the author of many Young Adult Christian fiction titles, including the Payton Skky series, the Laurel Shadrach series, the Perry Skky Jr. series, the Faith Thomas Novelzine series, the Carmen Browne series, and the Beta Gamma Pi series. She is also the co-editor for the impactful BibleZine, REAL. Mrs. Moore speaks with young people across the country, showing them how they can live life fully and do it God’s way. Stephanie currently lives in the greater Atlanta area with her husband, Derrick, a former NFL player and author, and their three children. Visit her website at www.stephanieperrymoore.com.

DERRICK MOORE is a former NFL athlete who played for the Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, and Arizona Cardinals following his successful college football career. Since his retirement from the NFL in 1998 he has been in demand as a motivational speaker for professional teams, civic groups, churches, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is on staff with FCA, serving as the chaplain of the football program at Georgia Tech. Derrick is the author of The Great Adventure and the general editor for the Strength and Honor Bible.

BOOK REVIEW
If you have read the book, please post your book review here or link to it if you have posted the review in another spot. We do encourage posting book reviews on Amazon.com and other online bookstores.

Purchase the Books Online at:
Amazon.com
BarnesandNoble.com

Link for Graphics:
https://picasaweb.google.com/112418868308920249928/AlecLondonSeries

For More Information, Visit the author online at:
http://www.stephanieperrymoore.com

View the blog tour schedule at:
http://www.tywebbinvirtualevents.com