African American Literature: Voices in a Tradition

This book is excellent stand alone and in conjunction with other literature concurrent in time. It dovetails well with 'The Great Gatsby' because of the selections from the Harlem Renaissance in Unit Five. Other periods can supplement this text; and it can be used in Social Studies as well (Unit One - Three touches on ancient Egypt,African Proverbs and exerpts from Olaudah Equiano,Benjamin Banneker. Units Six - Eleven cover writings to the Eighties. I have used this book for years, the students keep asking for more.

Let me just tell you this book kept 8th graders loving literature like no other literature could. There is violence, love, jealousy, family, struggle... in practically every story. Lots of great nonfiction, too. A wonderful wonderful item for read aloud even.