Thank you for Visiting The Golden Pathway during Black History Month

Thank you on and all for visiting The Golden Pathway to help celebrate Black History Month. It was a pleasure sharing with you the latest book reviews of The Golden Pathway and my reviews of my favorite children's books pertaining to black history. It's has been a distinct privilege!

Today is the last day to enter at a chance to win a $25 Starbucks Gift Card. Visit http://thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com/2012/01/golden-pathway-celebrates-black-history_30.html.

The winner will be announced by Friday, March 2nd!

Thank you for your time and interest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Book Review: January's Sparrow by Patricia Polacco

Title:                            January’s Sparrow

Written by:                  Patricia Polacco
Researched by:            Mary McCafferty Douglass
Hardcover:                  96 pages
Ages:                           9-12
Publisher:                    Philomel Books
ISBN 13:                     978-0-399-25077-4                
Published:                   October 2009
Price:                           $22.99

Many brave souls, white and black, risked their lives helping slaves to freedom. Many would believe that once reaching a free state all their worries would be washed away. Unfortunately, the “Under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793,” gave slave owners the right, even in free states, to take back their slaves.

The true story of the Crosswhite family told through the eyes of their “adoptive” son January, engulfs you in the dreams and fears of each family member, especially young Sadie. Her intuition and trustworthiness will warm your heart for a positive outcome for all. What became of the Crosswhite family one will learn through the expert storytelling of Patricia Polacco. One you will not soon forget.

To learn more of the illustrious career of Patricia Polacco visit http://www.patriciapolacco.com.

Also, don't forget to stop by http://thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com/2012/01/golden-pathway-celebrates-black-history_30.html and enter at your chance to win a $25 Starbucks gift card.

Thank you for your time and interest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Book Review: Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

Title: Henry’s Freedom Box ~ A True Story from the Underground Railroad
Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson
Ages: 4-8
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 13:978-0-439-77733-9
Published: January 2007
Price: $16.99

Close your eyes if you will and imagine what it would be like to curl up in a box and ship yourself as cargo. Hard to imagine isn’t it. For one brave salve, Henry Brown, this became his way to escape to freedom.

Sold away from his family as a child, Henry Brown did what many slaves had to do. They accepted their lives as slaves, but continued to dream of freedom. Henry soon found himself married with two children and the reality of being separated loomed each day. Their greatest free now reality exploded before Henry as he watched helplessly as his family was dragged away.

A man who found happiness from within and with his family, Henry became withdrawn and resolved to escape to freedom. His ingenious idea of mailing himself as cargo and with the assistance of a white doctor, Henry did just that.

Come along on this heart wrenching journey to freedom through the true story of Henry “Box” Brown. You’ll find your heartbeat racing for his safety.

Learn more about Ellen Levine at: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=3318  
Visit illustrator, Kadir Nelson at:  http://www.kadirnelson.com  

Also, don't forget to stop by http://thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com/2012/01/golden-pathway-celebrates-black-history_30.html and enter at your chance to win a $25 Starbucks gift card.

Thank you for your time and interest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Book Review: Under the Quilt of Night by Deborah Hopkinson

Title:                Under the Quilt of Night

Written by:      Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrated by:  James E. Ransome
Soft cover:      40 pages
Ages:               5-10
Publisher:        Aladdin Paperbacks
ISBN:             978-0439750493
Published:       January 2005
Price:               $7.99

Unsaid words coupled with significant signs to safe houses unravel in this heartfelt story of a young black slave and her loved ones journey to freedom. From deep within slaves brought forth their bravery in their quest to freedom allowing them to trust many along the way. For without the assistance of those against slavery their dreams of freedom may have remained just that a dream.

“Then I see a woman walk through her yard wearing a plain dress. On her arm she carries a quilt to air. She hangs it over the fence, then looks to the woods, just once. I start with all my might. I know what to look for: in most quilts, center squares are red for home and hearth. But these centers are a dark, deep blue. This house hides runaways!”

The journey and success to freedom is greeted by the young slave girl’s glorious singing voice to the heavens. The story of Under the Quilt of Night will leave the reader with a warm quilt engulfing their thoughts of all slaves who journeyed to freedom. 

Learn more about Deborah Hopkinson at: http://www.deborahhopkinson.com     

Visit illustrator, James E. Ransome at:  http://www.jamesransome.com

Also, don't forget to stop by http://thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com/2012/01/golden-pathway-celebrates-black-history_30.html and enter at your chance to win a $25 Starbucks gift card.

Thank you for your time and interest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Book Review: If You Lived When There Was Slavery in America by Anne Kamma

Title:                If You Lived When There Was Slavery in America

Written by:      Anne Kamma
Illustrated by:  Pamela Johnson
Soft cover:      64 pages
Ages:               9-12
Publisher:        Scholastic
ISBN:             13: 978-0-439-56706-0
Published:       February 2004
Price:               $6.99

Imagine if you will being kidnapped at the age of eight and sold into slavery. Slavery? What is slavery you may ask? Slavery is when one person owns another and the slave must obey all orders from their owner. 

Slavery existed well before the first slaves arrived in Jamestown, the fist British settlement in America in 1607. Captured in Africa, over 20 million Africans were forced to travel in terrible conditions on the sea voyage aboard crowded ships, where disease and beatings ran rampant. Many did not survive the trip and for those who did faced a horrible life as a slave. 

If You Lived When There Was Slavery in America captures in fascinating detail the life of a slave and the deplorable circumstances they endured. Ms. Kamma presents the historical facts of slavery in easy to understand narrative and quotes from actual slaves. Blending the two into a journey back into time which the reader will NOT soon forget, thankfully so, because to have such a dreadful time to rear its ugly head again would be horrendous.  

Learn more about Anne Kamma at: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/search?query=Anne Kamma    

Visit illustrator, Pamela Johnson at: http://www.portfoliosolutionsllc.com/artists/johnson_p.html

Also, don't forget to stop by http://thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com/2012/01/golden-pathway-celebrates-black-history_30.html and enter at your chance to win a $25 Starbucks gift card.

Thank you for your time and interest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Book Review: Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson

Title:                Show Way

Written by:      Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by:  Hudson Talbott
Soft cover:      48 pages
Ages:               6-8
Publisher:        G.P. Putnam’s Sons
ISBN:              0-399-23749-6
Published:       September 2005
Price:               $16.99

The fabrics of our lives are woven through the generations with rich history to be shared. Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson is a heartwarming and heart wrenching story all at once about Soonie’s family and their plight across the generations in the quest for freedom. To learn of the struggles and successes individuals endured to ensure their eventual path to freedom has an inspiring stronghold across hundreds of years, one not to be forgotten.  

Immerse yourself in the elegant storytelling of Newberry Honor winner, Jacqueline Woodson, and be prepared to be mesmerized. 

The awe inspiring illustrations of Hudson Talbott will leave the reader emotionally satisfied.

Personal note: I had the thrilling opportunity to listen to Jacqueline Woodson speak at the NY Winter SCBWI Conference a few years ago where she read Show Way to the audience. Her writing is exhilarating while reading on your own, but to hear her in person is breathtaking. While I read, Show Way Ms. Woodson’s voice echoed through my mind bringing chills throughout. The experience will stay with me forever.  

To learn more about author, Jacqueline Woodson visit: http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com

Visit the fascinating world of Hudson Talbott at: http://www.hudsontalbott.com

Also, don't forget to stop by http://thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com/2012/01/golden-pathway-celebrates-black-history_30.html and enter at your chance to win a $25 Starbucks gift card.

Thank you for your time and interest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Book Review: D is for Drinking Gourd – An African American Alphabet by Nancy I. Sanders

Title: D is for Drinking Gourd – An African American Alphabet
Written by: Nancy I. Sanders
Illustrated by: E.B. Lewis
Soft cover: 36 pages
Ages: 4-8
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
ISBN: 13:978-1585362936
Published: September 2007
Price: $7.95

Without the steadfast belief of abolitionists to end slavery the United States of America would not be what it is today. D is for Drinking Gourd – An African American Alphabet brings forth the journey of freedom and accomplishments through the alphabet and rhyme. Each keyword featured is accompanied with a historical description to the particular era, teaching about this pivotal time in American history.

From abolitionists to Zion the reader will find themselves soaking up all that history has to offer in this delightful combination of history and illustrations.

The mesmerizing words of Nancy Sanders and awe inspiring illustrations of E.B. Lewis will have you reading D is for Drinking Gourd – An African American Alphabet over and over again. Run, don’t walk and purchase your copy today to find out what is in between A and Z.

Visit Nancy Sanders at http://www.nancyisanders.com/ to learn more about her fascinating writing career.

Visit the colorful world of illustrator, E.B Lewis at: http://www.eblewis.com/illustration/eblewis.html

Also, don't forget to stop by http://thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com/2012/01/golden-pathway-celebrates-black-history_30.html and enter at your chance to win a $25 Starbucks gift card.

Thank you for your time and interest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm ~ Literary Classics Silver Award & Seal of Approval Recipient & Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist