Heart and Soul- The Story of America and African Americans

Hope, Courage, Inspiration, Struggles and Freedom

Heart and Soul The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson

Published by Balzer + Bray

Copyright 2011

Coretta Scott King Book Award 2012

“Nelson effectively captures the roles of ordinary people in landmark events (“We called ourselves the Freedom Riders”) while presenting famous leaders who changed the world, from Frederick Douglass and Rosa Parks to Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and, finally, President Barack Obama” – BookList

This book written by Kadir Nelson provides a great overview of American and African-American history from the Revolutionary War era to the present. The story is told from the viewpoint of an elderly lady who shares her life story along with other major historical events. This is an excellent book for children because of the historical content they cover such as slavery, black innovation and the revolution. The book also provides unique paintings of African Americans known and unknown, whenever you turn the page. When children read this book they will learn about all of the African Americans who struggled and those who made achievements that helped define our country today.

Description: Non-Fiction, History                      

Suggested Delivery: Small Group Read

Reading Level: Lexile Framework- 1050L

Electronic Resources:

Meet the Author

This is the author Kadir Nelson personal website. The website includes a biography about the author, drawings from the author and photos and videos featuring the author.

Lesson Plans

This website is great for teachers to use because it provides a summary of the book and provides classroom activities that go along with the book.

African American History Month

This is an excellent website for teachers that provides ready to use lesson plans, student activities, guides and research aids to use in the classroom.

Key Vocabulary: Martyrs, Hightailed, Battalions, Boll Weevils, Immigrants, Prairies, and Confederacy

Teaching Suggestions:

1. Use this text when discussing important events that lead up to the Civil War.

2. Use this text to teach students the importance of the arts to African Americans in the twentieth century.

3. Use this text when introducing discrimination and the ways people discriminate against others.

Comprehension Strategies:

Pre-reading- Provide the students with an Anticipation Guide that includes interesting facts that the students will learn when reading the text. Include examples that are presented in the text and also reverse the truth of some statements to make the children use their common sense skills.

During Reading- Have students participate in small group discussions.  Some suggested discussion questions include,

1. Are you familiar with any of these African American figures discussed in the book?

2. How do you feel about the discrimination during those times?

3. What are some historical events you have or haven’t heard of before being introduced to this book?

Post- Reading- Have the students get into groups and have them summarizing the text together. The students will understand more when they discuss with others. This book has a lot of information and facts that might get forgotten by the students if they don’t discuss what they have read.

Writing Activity- Have the students research an African American and write a biography on the person. Have them include details about their life and what types of prejudice they experienced and how they overcame the struggles in their life.

Nelson, Kadir. Heart and soul: the story of America and African Americans. New York: Balzer + Bray, 2011. Print.