About this item
The true story of Black activist Opal Lee and her vision of Juneteenth as a holiday for everyone celebrates Black joy and inspires children to see their dreams blossom. Growing up in Texas, Opal knew the history of Juneteenth, but she soon discovered that many Americans had never heard of the holiday that represents the nation's creed of "freedom for all."Every year, Opal looked forward to the Juneteenth picnic--a drumming, dancing, delicious party. She knew from Granddaddy Zak's stories that Juneteenth celebrated the day the freedom news of President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation finally sailed into Texas in 1865--over two years after the president had declared it! But Opal didn't always see freedom in her Texas town. Then one Juneteenth day when Opal was twelve years old, an angry crowd burned down her brand-new home.
About the Author
Website: www.alicefayeduncan.comEmail: AFDuncan@aol.com Alice Faye Duncan writes books for young readers and adults. HONEY BABY SUGAR CHILD is a mother's love song to her baby. The lyrical text sings and swings just like music. MEMPHIS, MARTIN AND THE MOUNTAINTOP (The 1968 Sanitation Strike) is a lyrical combination of poetry and prose that explores Dr. King's assassination and his last stand for economic justice. The illustrator is Caldecott Honor recipient, Gregory Christie. 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN TENNESSEE is a child's travel guide across the Volunteer State (GO VOLS!) . Two cousins in ugly holiday sweaters visit important landmarks throughout the state, while traveling in a mini-van called the "Reindeer Express." A SONG FOR GWENDOLYN BROOKS is the first picture book biography to explore the life and times of Chicago poet--Gwendolyn Brooks. In 1950, Miss Brooks was the first African American writer to receive a Pulitzer Prize.Alice's book--JUST LIKE A MAMA made its debut on Mother's Day (2019) . The illustrator is Charnelle Pinkney Barlow. This book was a 2021 NAACP Image Award Nomination for BEST BOOK IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE.
