Website
African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Wallace Thurman

For Students 9th - 10th
This site includes the author's credits as an editor and playwright, a biography, and links to three of his books.
Website
African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Dorothy West

For Students 9th - 10th
This biography of Harlem Renaissance writer Dorothy West includes a video [2:42] of West in New York and links to book reviews for all of West's works.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: James Baldwin

For Students 9th - 10th
James Baldwin is presented in this biography as a great African American contributor to the literary world during the civil rights movement. See "James Baldwin Activities" for more information.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Langston Hughes: Hughes's Life and Career

For Students 9th - 10th
Lengthy, detailed biography of Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes, from the Oxford Companion to African American Literature.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Gwendolyn Brooks

For Students 9th - 10th
Writer Gwendolyn Brooks is presented in this biography for her contributions to African American literature. Click on "Gwendolyn Brooks Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Ralph Ellison

For Students 9th - 10th
Author Ralph Ellison is presented in this biography for his contributions to African American literature. See "Ralph Ellison Activities" for further information.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Claude Mc Kay

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a succinct biography of Claude McKay, infamous Harlem Renaissance poet who expressed the need for the African American community in America to speak out against racism. See "Claude McKay Activities" for related materials.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Southern Renaissance: Zora Neale Hurston

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Zora Neale Hurston is featured in this biography highlighting her literary contributions which focused on African Americans as whole people, celebrating their heritage, in an era when black authors tended to write about their...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Regional Realism: Charles W. Chesnutt

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource focuses on realist author Charles W. Chesnutt and his manner of portraying African American characters in the South during the late nineteenth century. See "Charles W. Chesnutt Activities" for related resources.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: The Search for Identity: Toni Cade Bambara

For Students 9th - 10th
Toni Cade Bambara is featured in this brief biography for her ability to combine and advocate for both feminism and black minorities through her literature. See "Toni Cade Bambara Activities" for related resources.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: The Search for Identity: Alice Walker

For Students 9th - 10th
Alice Walker is highlighted in this brief biography for her acclaimed contributions to literature, relating the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout history. Click on "Alice Walker Activities" for related materials.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Claude Mc Kay's Life

For Students 9th - 10th
A concise and in-depth biography of the American poet known as Claude McKay (1890-1948 CE). McKay was one of the key members of The Harlem Renaissance Movement.
Website
African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Lorraine Hansberry

For Students 9th - 10th
This site focuses on Lorraine Hansberry, author of A Raisin in the Sun, including a short biography, "The Lorraine Hansbury: Mini -Documentary" video [10:38], and links to four of her books.
Website
African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Ralph Ellison

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers a biography with a photo of Ellison and a video entitled "The Novel: Ralph Ellison on Work in Progress 1966" [28:56]. It also has links to seven of his books.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
Poet laureate Langston Hughes is featured in this brief biography highlighting his vast collection of writings, particularly his poetry, which drew upon racial and self awareness in America. See "Langston Hughes Activities" for related...
Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: African American Odyssey: Harlem Renaissance and the Flowering of Creativity

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of the African-American literary and musical boom known as the Harlem Renaissance after World War I and before World War II. Profiles some of the prominent figures involved in the movement.
Handout
Other

World Views: African Literature: Voices From 'Another' Africa

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A chapter which looks at the development of African literature. Lists many sources for studying and reading African literature.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: The Search for Identity: Toni Morrison

For Students 9th - 10th
Toni Morrison is featured for her ability to illustrate the idiocies of racial stereotyping through her award winning literature. See "Toni Morrison Activities" for related materials.
Website
Indiana University

Iu: Literature as Lessons on the Diversity of Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
Very scholarly article that looks at the role literature helps teach us about the diversity of our culture. The author looks at various aspects of literature and then gives teacher resources and a helpful bibliography.
Unit Plan
Georgetown University

Georgetown University: Sterling A. Brown (1901 1989)

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource includes theme, perspective, form, style and audience of this famous Harlem Renaissance author's work.
Unit Plan
Georgetown University

Georgetown University: Anne Spencer (1882 1975)

For Students 9th - 10th
Includes theme, perspective, form, style and comparison of Anne Spencer's work. Many contemporaries are named and linked.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Southern Renaissance: Richard Wright

For Students 9th - 10th
Author Richard Wright is presented in this biography which draws upon his brutal honesty in describing life in the racially segregated south. See "Richard Wright Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Phillis Wheatley

For Students 9th - 10th
This on-line encyclopedia article gives information about Phillis Wheatley, the Boston slave who surprised colonial America with her poetry. She was the first African-American woman to have her work published.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Collections, Guides and Bibliographies: Web Guides

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This series of web guides serves as a collection of resources for research into a variety of areas including the performing arts, sports, government, law, art, American history, Women's history, African American history, literature and...