The Book Itch by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

illustrated by R. Gregory Christie 

Coretta Scott King award 2016

Nonfiction 

The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore (Carolrhoda Picture Books): Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux, Christie, R. Gregory: 9780761339434: Amazon.com: Books


This story is about the National Memorial African Bookstore in Harlem in the 1930s. It is told from the view of the owner’s son, Lewis. Lewis encounters many great and famous people who come and go from his family’s bookstore. His father, Lewis Michaux Sr., felt it was important for people to read and gather ideas for their own selves. Lewis Jr. learns plenty of important lessons such as the importance of words, asking questions, and talking about the truth. 

This book would be best used in third through fifth grade classrooms. It tells a significant part of African American history that is not necessarily learned in the common curriculum. This story could be used in a social studies setting to talk about the Civil Rights era and some of the things that shaped it into the movement that it was. Even within the middle school classrooms, I think I would keep this on a bookshelf because I think it is informative in an engaging way for students of all ages. 


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