Reviews
Recommended books by Patricia and Fredrick McKissack

Abby Takes a Stand by Patricia C. McKissack
      104 pp. Viking (2005).
      Grade level: 1–3
Illustrated by Gordon C. James. Scraps of Time series. Gee tells her grandchildren about being a young black girl in 1960s Nashville. McKissack deftly weaves the familiar details of the period into this accessible, lively, and heartfelt chapter book, which reads like a memoir and makes a perfect introduction to the time. Appended material includes a timeline and a list of “rules for the Nashville sit-ins.” Rev. 9/05.

Black Hands, White Sails: The Story of African-American Whalers by Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick L. McKissack
      147 pp. Scholastic (1999).
     Grade level: 4–6
The introduction links together slavery and whaling as “part of the growth and development of the American economy,” and the book shows the important role of the whalers in the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad. Incisive accounts are given of significant African Americans in this industry; seafaring women are not ignored; and life aboard a whaling ship is thoroughly documented. Bib., ind. Rev. 11/99.

Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters by Patricia C. McKissack, Fredrick L. McKissack, and John Thompson
      68 pp. Scholastic (1994).
      Grade level: 4–6
Celebrations on a Virginia plantation in 1859 are presented from two perspectives: that of the slaveholding family and that of the slaves. Descriptions of Christmas preparations fill the text, and colorful paintings reflect the period. Lurking beneath the gaiety, however, is fearful talk among the whites of black insurrectionists and the possibility of war, while the slaves speak of rumors of emancipation. Bib. Rev. 1/95.

The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural by Patricia C. McKissack and Brian Pinkney
      122 pp. Knopf (1992).
     Grade level: 4–6
A collection of original stories rooted in African-American history and the tradition of oral storytelling spans the period from slavery to the civil-rights era. Pinkney’s scratchboard artwork adds the right amount of tension and apprehension to this collection that is great for reading aloud. Winner of the 1993 Coretta Scott King Award and a 1993 Newbery Honor book. Rev. 3/93.

Goin’ Someplace Special by Patricia C. McKissack
      40 pp. Atheneum/Schwartz (2001).
     Grade level: K–3
Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. This is the story of a child facing a difficult time sustained by the support of the adults in her life. Going alone for the first time, ‘Tricia Ann is off to Someplace Special — the public library where “All Are Welcome.” The journey isn’t easy: she must face the indignities of life in the Jim Crow South. The text and art strike just the right balance: informative without being preachy; hopeful without being sentimental. Rev. 11/01.

Ma Dear’s Aprons by Patricia C. McKissack and Floyd Cooper
      32 pp. Atheneum/Schwartz (2000).
     Grade level: 1–3
Inspired by the life of her own great-grandmother, McKissack tells the story of a single mother and her son. Ma Dear wears a different apron for each day of the week; the various aprons tell young David Earl what work lies ahead for them. There is little plot, but the love between mother and son is palpable, and the composition and colors of the illustrations emphasize the strength of the relationship. Rev. 5/97.

Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and Other Wily Characters by Patricia C. McKissack
      147 pp. Random/Schwartz & Wade (2006).
     Grade level: 4–6
Illustrated by André Carrilho. In ten original trickster stories, the child narrator either believes in the trickster when no one else does, or alone sees through him. “A Grave Situation” is a cliffhanger; “The Best Lie Ever Told” scores on its crafty staging; and the two-part story about rascally Cake Norris is a humdinger. Grandly melodramatic black-and-white illustrations capture the stories’ mood. Rev. 9/06.

Precious and the Boo Hag by Patricia C. McKissack and Onawumi Jean Moss
      40 pp. Atheneum/Schwartz (2005).
     Grade level: K–3
Illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker. After Mama tells Precious to let “nothing and nobody” into the house, Brother warns her about the Boo Hag: “She’s tricky and she’s scary, and she tries to make you disobey yo’ mama.” Illustrations combining the realistic with the fantastic suit the down-to-earth yet magical tone in this lively tale that (despite an ominous ending) is a great storytelling choice. Rev. 1/05.

Red-Tail Angels: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II by Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick L. McKissack
      136 pp. Walker (1995).
     Grade level: 4–6
After summarizing the development of aviation from 1900 to 1939, the book discusses the training and the triumphs of the 99th Fighter Squadron, and the ugly treatment accorded them in the South of the 1940s. Impeccably documented, handsomely designed, and thoughtfully executed, the account gives these pioneers’ accomplishments meaning for a new generation. Numerous black-and-white photographs illustrate the book. Bib., glos., ind. Rev. 3/96.

Run Away Home by Patricia C. McKissack
     160 pp. Scholastic (1997).
     Grade level: 4–6
A young African-American girl befriends an Apache boy who has escaped from the train transporting Geronimo and his companions-in-exile from Florida to Alabama. Sarah comes to appreciate Sky’s strength of character, the pivotal role he plays in the family’s economic survival, and the emotional support he offers to all. McKissack knows how to pace a story, create suspense, and interweave period details into a coherent narrative. Rev. 11/97.

Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I a Woman? by Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick L. McKissack
      186 pp. Scholastic (1992).
     Grade level: 4–6
Assuming the name Sojourner Truth in 1843 at the age of forty-six, the former slave traveled in order to bring a strident abolitionist and feminist message to many parts of the country, often facing considerable opposition while delivering her speeches. The authors do a particularly fine job relating the major incidents in Truth’s life and provide brief biographical sketches of the many people she knew and worked with. The black-and-white photographs bring a sense of immediacy to the narrative. Bib., ind. Rev. 3/93.

Tippy Lemmey by Patricia C. McKissack
      60 pp. Simon (2003).
     Grade level: 1–3
Illustrated by Susan Keeter. Ready-for-Chapters series. This easy chapter book features three friends and a seemingly invulnerable villain: the eponymous Tippy Lemmey, new dog in town and terror of the neighborhood. The 1951 small-town-Tennessee setting is evoked naturally through the action, which is constant. This is a terrific read-aloud, but why bother? Get Tippy Lemmey into one kid’s hands and it will be a pass-it-on hit. Rev. 3/03.

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