Title: Feathers
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: Hudson Talbott
Publisher: Putnam Publishing Group
Year Published: 2008
Format: Hardcover
Genre: Newberry Award Winner
Reading Level: Self-Reader
Reading Interest Level: Upper Elementary- Middle School
Topics: Racial Segregation, Faith
Summary: A little girl named Frannie, becomes intrigued by the words of Emily Dickenson and begins to classify her classmates based on the writing of Dickenson. A new boy comes to town; he is an African American boy with long hair whom Frannie nicknames “Jesus”. Frannies best friend, Samantha, truly desires for “Jesus” to be the actual savior. Throughout this book the struggles faced during the 70’s are present and the kids learn to cope with all these happening s in their own individual ways.
Extension Activity: Since this book deals with segregation and African American equality, I would plan to teach this book around black history month and then have the kids do a small autobiography on an influential person during that time period that helped African American’s during their strife for equality. This activity would also incorporate social studies and allow the kids to learn more about the past of their country.
