african americans in literature

Traces the influences of traditional oral forms such as folktales, riddles, idiom, jazz rhythms, spirituals, and blues on the development of African American literature.

A biography of Virginia Hamilton, the African American writer whose children's literature received the highest possible awards during her lifetime, including the Newbery and the Hans Christian Andersen Award.

Provides detailed bibliographies of works by and about nine African-American authors, accompanied by brief biographical sketches.

Presents an exploration of the life and poetry of Langston Hughes.

Discusses Walter Dean Myers and his work, with entries on the characters, dates, events, motifs, and themes from his literature.