The Adventures Of Emery Jones: A New Must Have Black Children's Book
I am always on the look out for books with black children as the main characters because I think it's important for children to be able to imagine themselves as a character in the book they are reading. According to the research, not only do children find it empowering but it also makes them motivated to read when their books include experiences or images with which they are familiar. The problem is that in order to be inclusive, black children's books can sometimes have a very narrow depiction of our children's lives. In short, the books are about black children instead of children who happen to be black.
So I was super excited when I came across a new science fiction book series, "The Adventures of Emery Jones, Boy Science Wonder" about a superhero with an IQ of 188 who uses his intellect to save the day. I ordered the Kindle version of the book so I could check it out for myself before ordering the paperback version for my niece and nephew and I just loved it. In just the first few pages, the authors cleverly discussed the lack of respect for creativity and drugging of our children from the point of view of 5th graders. I think "Bending Time" is perfect for 5th graders and up, however, I think it would also be a appealing to young but advanced readers.
Here's some information about the book and it's authors:
There's a new hero for our time, whose adventures rival those of Harry Potter and who uses his imagination and intelligence to solve problems such as how to bring a school bully back from the Triassic period after he tampers with our hero's time machine. He's Emery Jones, the curious science genius of Moms Mabley Elementary School.
Emery is the creation of National Book Award-winning Seattle author and professor, Dr. Charles Johnson, and his daughter, artist and writer Elisheba Johnson. The pair has recently published "Bending Time" (Booktrope), the first book in their planned series, "The Adventures of Emery Jones: Boy Science Wonder."
"Bending Time" has been praised for its humor, sense of adventure, integration of science and history and portrayal of Emery, a brilliant African-American boy. Award-winning young adult writer Tonya Bolden called the book “a riveting, exhilarating, and enriching read.” More here....You can order the Kindle version of the book on Amazon for .99 cents or the paperback for $8.99. I hope you include "Bending Time" on your holiday shopping list so hopefully Emery Jones and other superheros, who happen to be black, can help bridge the diversity gap in children's publishing.
Yardyspice
Related articles
- Meet Emery Jones, boy science wonder (crosscut.com)
- Interview with Elisheba Johnson (allisonsbookbag.wordpress.com)