Books about and from Africa for elementary and middle school age readers
Jambo means hello; Swahili alphabet book by Muriel and Tom Feelings. East Africa, 1974.
Presents a word, with English translation, for each of the twenty-four letters in the Swahili alphabet. Brief explanation of each word introduces an East African custom.
The village that vanished by Ann Grifalconi. Southeastern Africa, 2002.
Young Abekenile and all the villagers of Yao feel safe in the jungle. But word comes that now slavers are on the way! Kadir Nelson's lush and striking artwork beautifully expresses this inspiring tale of freedom.
Ashanti to Zulu: African traditions by Margaret Musgrove; pictures by Leo and Diane Dillon. Africa, 1976.
This Caldecott award winner explains some traditions and customs of 26 African tribes that begin with letters from A to Z.
Where's Jamela? by Niki Daly. South Africa, 2004.
Third in the series that includes Jamela's Dress and What's Cooking, Jamela?, Where's Jamela? finds the title character disappointed that her mother's new job means moving to a new neighborhood. When the packing is done, Jamela is nowhere to be found-until she emerges from an unlikely hiding place and is given a warm sendoff by friends and neighbors.
Fatuma's new cloth by Leslie Bulion. East Africa, 2002.
In East Africa, a young girl learns that one cannot always judge by appearances as she and her mother visit a market in search of kanga cloth and meet merchants who all claim they have the secret to good chai tea.