A fictionalized account of Wilson Edward Reed, PhDs experience growing up Black in the South during the 1950s and 60s, Junebug is a middle-grade novel that shows how to move beyond hardships, like those many faced while living under Jim Crow.
Full of humor and heartache, Junebug depicts a young persons journey to find self-worth despite American societys onslaught of negative messaging determined to define ones identity and futurethe kind that can come from any side. The story follows Junebugs exploits with his friends, the loss of his mother, and his struggles with racial discrimination, before he sets his sights beyond Mississippi. After taking the 2,600 mile bus journey to Seattle, Junebug is encouraged by his three aunts to earn a college degree, all while his spiritual and emotional growth is on display.
Like the Sankofa bird, Junebug is able to make peace with his past and use that knowledge to move forward as he takes responsibility for his mistakes and forgives those who hurt him. Junebug shows how familial support and community involvement can help motivated individuals rise above anger and discrimination and discover the life of their dreams.
Set in the 1950s and 1960s American South, Junebug is a middle grade novel that fictionalizes Wilson Edward Reed, PhDs experience growing up Black under Jim Crowand finding a way out.
Recenzijas
"The story of Junebug is simultaneously delightful, heartbreaking and instructive. While Junebug's vulnerability is precious and relatable, his life's trajectory exposes structural racism unimaginable to the average white child. This is not a story of overcoming that racism as much as it is one of excelling within the reality of it. A compelling and moving read."-Robin DiAngelo NYT Bestselling Author
Papildus informācija
Submit to industry reviewers, including Publishers Weekly Library Journal, Foreword Reviews Developing and will be driving readers to an iInteractive website dedicated to JuneBug, including a blog, photos, videos, music, lessons, and discussion forums Website to also include lessons and examples of how to use parts of the book for shared reading, read aloud, and differentiated small group lessons. Outreach to schools Demonstrate lessons that show how JuneBug is both a memoir and a historical text Reach out to and create opportunities with African American museums Reach out to the Church community to show that we have a book that celebrates the values of community, family, hard work, love, and forgiveness. Local speaking engagements at community events, professional gatherings, and schools Lead discussions with kindergartners and teachers alike Maintains daily presence on Facebook (4,600 followers), interacting on a broad range of topics and staying in touch with past colleagues and students
Wilson Edward Reed, PhD was born on a family farm in 1950s Mississippi, during the height of Jim Crow segregation. As an African American, he lived under the twenty-two laws that restricted miscegenation (racial mixing) and prevented African Americans from participating as full citizensfor over seventy-five years.
Dr. Reed learned at an early age that he must obey Jim Crow or face punishment. He attended a segregated school, church, movie theater, and a public library, and was able to maintain his dignity by working hard in school and taking small jobs, including picking cotton. After attending Rosa A. Temple High School and Utica Junior College, Wilson Reed moved to Seattle and earned both B.A. and M.A. at the University of Washington. Years later he would earn a M.A. at Suny Albany and finally capped off his academic achievements with a PhD at Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, Arizona. He taught at over five institutions, including the University of Washington, the University of Oregon, Seattle University, Northern Arizona University, and Texas Christian University over his professional career.
Today, Dr. Reed currently resides outside of Las Vegas, NV. His writing can be found on BlackPast.org, where hes contributed over ten biographical vignettes, as well as in his first book The Politics of Community Policing. His newest release, Junebug, is a fictionalized account of growing up Black in the South during the 1950s and 60s, under Jim Crow.
