Books with author Carson Ellis

From quilts to marble, from comic strips to welded steel, African Americans have created exciting works of art for more than a hundred years. African-American Artists traces the struggles and shows the work of many of these men and women. This book will introduce you to Harriet Powers, who was born a slave and who told legends and stories on her quilts. You'll meet Horace Pippin, who taught himself to paint and kept painting even after he lost the use of his arm. Cartoonist Aaron McGruder and digital artist Angela Perkins are among the African-American artists who continue to enrich the nation's culture today.

Stephanie is selling jewelry at a thrift sale to benefit underprivileged kids. Totally cool -- except when she realizes she accidentally sold a valuable antique necklace -- for twenty-five cents! Stephanie promises that one way or another she'll get it back. But can she find the necklace -- or is it lost forever? Michelle's fourth-grade class is performing Cinderella -- and Michelle is the star! Too bad the boy who is playing Prince Charming is a terrible actor. No sweat. Michelle has a plan! She's going to help Prince Charming by practicing with him -- all the time. There's only one problem: Michelle doesn't realize that once she puts her plan into action, it's going to backfire in a way she never expected!

Hip-hop music began in the neighborhoods of the Bronx, New York, during the 1970s and grew to become a major cultural influence all over the world. Hip-hop has evolved through both individual innovation and technological breakthroughs. Landmark Hip-Hop Hits traces the development of this musical genre through discussion of its biggest hits and most important stars, from early songs like "Rapper's Delight" and "The Message" to contemporary hits by performers like Jay-Z, Drake, Eminem, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne. The songs discussed in this book had an important part to play in shaping the history of the hip-hop movement over the past five decades.

The Civil War finally ended slavery in the United States in 1865. But blacks didn't suddenly enjoy all the rights other Americans took for granted. They had to struggle against racism and discrimination to claim those rights. African-American Activists traces that generations-long struggle. In this book, you'll meet early activists like Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois, who had very different ideas about how blacks should take their place in American society. You'll read about activists who worked for integration and equality under the law during the civil rights movement, including Rosa Parks and John Lewis. And you'll learn how a new generation of African-American activists, such as Majora Carter and Van Jones, continue to work for a better society today.