A Celebration of Harlem! Harlem, Then & Now

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hild Develo

Child HEALTHTALK
C

Na
tional Black • F a l l 2 0 1 0

3
Cultural Competence
101

5

Healthy Kids,
Healthy Communities:
On the Ground In…
Washington, DC

7
What’s in Season
for Fall

8
Bullying

10
Between The Covers:
A Celebration of
Harlem!

16
Peanut Butter ’n
Jelly Muffins

www.nbcdi.org

Cultural Competence 101
BY SHANNON ELLIS
What is Cultural
Competence?
If you work in education or
other related fields, you may hear
this term often – or perhaps you
are just reading it for the first
time! Either way, it’s important
for us to understand what we
mean when we talk about
“cultural competence.” What is it,
and why does it matter?
• “Cultural competence” means
being knowledgeable about
different cultures, which
includes being familiar with
daily living practices, as well
as cultural values and norms.
• Cultural bias damages
children, and it’s important for
adults who care for children to
both understand and
eliminate those biases by
increasing their own
competence.
• Remember that culture is
more than ethnicity or race.
Cultural differences are influenced by socioeconomic
status, religion, language, family education and Why Do I Need To Be Culturally Competent?
geographic location, among other factors. Tolerance and fairness are important values to practice,
and to teach to others. Imagine a situation in which your
Why is Cultural Competency Important? child brings home a friend of a different religion – or, if
In our increasingly diverse society, parents and you’re a professional, imagine that this child is new to
professionals working with children come in contact with your classroom. In order to make this child feel
all types of individuals. It is important for us to embrace welcome, and embrace their differences, you can make an
cultural competency because it helps us: effort to:
• Gain an understanding of different cultures, as well as • Be aware of important holidays and beliefs in that
our own religion, which will help when your child wants to
• Establish respect for different cultures and individuals set-up play dates, for example, so that you do not
• Remember that not all children have the same interfere with important holidays.
experiences, strengths or needs • Learn about different foods that are often eaten, or
• Eliminate stereotypes and other forms of bias forbidden.
• Increase our ability to provide effective services to • Encourage your child or other children in the
children classroom to ask questions and talk openly about
• Support diversity among our friends, coworkers, how they are the same and how they are different –
schools, neighborhoods & communities but how we can all be friends.
continued on page 4

NATIONAL BLACK CHILD DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE • CHILD HEALTH TALK • FALL 2010
3

Cultural Competence 101 continued from page 3

NBCDI MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
You should also not hesitate to ask the child’s parent
Become a NBCDI Member today for as little as $35 and about their practices. If you are genuinely interested, that
help give every child a chance! NBCDI members will shine through, and will help you expand on what
you already know.
include people who share a commitment to the positive
development of children and youth, regardless of race, How Can I Become (More) Culturally
religion, gender, or creed. NBCDI memberships can be Competent?
obtained by contacting NBCDI. Visit our website at
We can always continue to improve our knowledge and
understanding of cultures different than our own, as well
www.nbcdi.org for more membership information and as our knowledge of ourselves and our own biases and
to learn about the programs of NBCDI. attitudes that may be conscious or unconscious. There
are many formal and information opportunities for each
Become part of the NBCDI family and help us to improve of us to improve our cultural competency – challenge
and protect the lives of our children. yourself to keep learning and growing, and set a good
example for your children as well!
As a member of the America’s Charities federation, • Participate in seminars, trainings and workshops
relating to cross-cultural differences and
NBCDI is eligible to receive your charitable contribution
understanding.
from the Combined Federal Campaign (#11574) or • Immerse yourself in the daily life of other
state and local employee campaigns. communities – walk around different neighborhoods,
listen to new music, attend a festival, have dinner at a
NBCDI is a member of specific restaurant, and try to meet new friends!
• Engage in conversations about social change and how
to take action to change situations that are unfair. I

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Dear Readers:
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
It’s hard to believe that Fall is already here, but we’re
glad to be able to share this exciting issue of Child
Child Health Talk is produced by the National Black
Health Talk with you!
Child Development Institute (NBCDI).
After conducting a survey with some of our members
and CHT readers over the summer, we’re going to be
A subscription to NBCDI’s newsletter will comprise four
making some changes – based on your suggestions.
issues of Child Health Talk. Send your request to: Child Child Health Talk will remain the important source of
Health Talk, 1313 L Street, NW, Suite 110, Washington, information that you have come to know and trust, but
keep your eyes open over the next few issues for new
DC 20005. Subscriptions: $8.00 per year
topics, authors, materials, and formats.
The photographs used in NBCDI’s publications are We hope that you will share any more suggestions with
us – we want to hear from you! If you have ideas,
intended to highlight the beauty and diversity of
please email moreinfo@nbcdi.org, subject line CHT, or
children in a variety of settings. Unless specifically call (202) 833-2220. We hope you enjoy this issue of
noted otherwise, the photographs come from NBCDI’s Child Health Talk and look forward to many more
library of stock photos, and the children do not issues to come.

represent the topic discussed in the text. In good health,
NBCDI Staff

4 NATIONAL BLACK CHILD DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE • CHILD HEALTH TALK • FALL 2010

HEALTHY KIDS, HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

On the Ground In…
WASHINGTON, DC
I n Washington, D.C., the Anacostia River is the
dividing line that separates the poorest
neighborhoods from the rest of the District. East
of the river are neighborhoods – Wards 7 and 8 –
with childhood obesity rates approaching or
exceeding 50 percent. These are also the
communities with the highest poverty and crime
rates, which too often limit residents’ use of the parks
and recreation facilities, as well as the least access to
healthy, affordable food. More than 40 percent of
these neighborhoods – 60,000 residents – live in a
“food desert,” where they are located at least one mile
from a supermarket.
As with communities across the nation, the obesity
epidemic has hit low-income African American and
Latino children the hardest. Nationally, one out of
every four black children is overweight, compared to
one in seven white children.1 In the District of
Columbia, which is 57 percent African-American,
obesity rates and the negative health consequences
are soaring. Obese and overweight children are
significantly more likely to develop serious, chronic
illnesses and experience high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes.2
Community leaders and members, in the District as
across the country, are beginning to come out with
comprehensive solutions to end the obesity epidemic.
Many wonderful programs are focused on providing
nutrition education and increasing physical activity,
working directly with parents, providers, teachers and
children to change their behaviors and improve their
health. But there are other programs as well, which
are focusing more on the systemic issues behind the
obesity epidemic, including the Healthy Kids, Healthy
Communities (HKHC) program.
Through a partnership led by the Summit Health
Institute for Research and Education, Inc (SHIRE)
and funding from the Robert Woods Johnson
Foundation, Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities DC
is providing opportunities for residents and
continued on page 6

5

Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities: On the Ground In…Washington, DC, continued from page 5

4. Working to create policies that reimburse
community based fitness and healthy-living
programs through insurance and Medicaid.
The partnership has been working over the last two
years to achieve these policy changes; in 2009, the DC
HKHC partnership won its first victory – all children
participating in qualified after school programs are now
eligible to receive supper before going home at night.
Many other smaller victories have been taking shape,
through continued collaboration, advocacy trainings, and
the recruitment of new partners and members. With the
power of First Lady Michelle Obama and the Let’s Move
initiative right at our doorstep, Washington, DC is seeing
progress towards having healthier kids, and a healthier
community.
For more information about the Washington D.C.
Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities collaborative,
community leaders to work together to find innovative contact Jenné Johns at jjohns@shireinc.org. I
solutions to the obesity crisis. The primary goal of the
HKHC partnership, which includes the National Black “On the Ground In…” is a new feature in Child Health Talk that will
Child Development Institute, DC Hunger Solutions, the focus on programs making a difference in improving the health of our
children and families in communities across America. To nominate
Department of Health, the Department of Parks and a program that is achieving great outcomes in your neighborhood or
Recreation, the DC Public Schools, and the Greater city, please call (202) 833-2220 or email moreinfo@nbcdi.org,
Washington Urban League, among others, is to subject line “On the Ground.”
implement healthy eating and active living policies that
can support healthier communities for children and
families. As Jenne Johns, Deputy Director for Programs 1
NHANES data on the Prevalence of Overweight Among Children and Adolescents: United States,
2003–2006. CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Health E-Stat.
for SHIRE, notes, “Our work is very timely and exciting. 2
Freedman DS, Mei Z, Srinivasan SR, Berenson GS, Dietz WH. Cardiovascular risk factors and
We are guided by parents, youth and families who want excess adiposity among overweight children and adolescents: the Bogalusa Heart Study.
Pediatrics January 2007; 150(1):12–17
equal access to fresh and affordable foods and safe places
for children to play.”
Based on the guidance from
community members, through
meetings and surveys, the DC
initiative, choose to focus on four
policy areas that address both healthy
eating and active living:
1. Instituting and expanding the
Federal After School Supper
Program in DC
2. Creating a “saturation index”
of unhealthy food and beverage
vendors, with the opportunity
to increase healthy retail
outlets in poor communities
3. Developing policies to support
a paid “Park Keepers”
workforce to keep parks clean
and safe, and create green jobs


What’s In Season for Fall?
F armers’ markets typically last through October or November, so you can continue to buy
fresh fruits and vegetables that support your local farmers. Take your child with you to the
market or local grocery store and have them help pick out fruits and vegetables to teach
them about healthy food choices and fresh produce. Talk about the dishes you will make with
each item and what other ingredients will be needed. Then enjoy snacks or
home-cooked meals together as a family!
Here are some of the fruits and vegetables that will be in
season this Fall; we encourage you to try something you’ve
never tried before! Let us know else you can find,
and what you can make with these ingredients.
Happy healthy eating! I

Acorn Squash Easy to prepare and delicious to eat! Cut ‘em in half, scoop out the seeds, add a
little butter, brown sugar and/or maple syrup, and bake at 400º for 35-40 minutes.

Apple There are hundreds of varieties of apples, and hundreds of ways to eat them. Enjoy them raw,
with peanut butter, as a pie or as applesauce!

Belgian Endive A little tangy, endives should be smooth and white, with little yellow tips at the end. They are
excellent when braised, in soups, and added to salads.

Butternut Squash They may be hard to cut and peel, but the delicious orange inside makes it well worth it! Puree
with onions and butter to make a soup, or mash with cinnamon and maple syrup for an alternative
to mashed potatoes!

Cranberries Very tart, bright red and incredibly good for you, cranberries are not just for Thanksgiving! Bake
them in cookies or muffins for a delicious, healthy treat.

Figs Most Americans have never eaten a fresh fig – if you haven’t, you’re missing out! Fresh figs are
red on the inside, sweet and perfect when spread on bread.

Grapes In green or purple, seedless or not, grapes make for great and easy snacks to grab instead of
those extra cookies or crackers.

Mushroom Many kinds of mushrooms grow up from the ground during the fall, so if you’re used to only
eating one kind, try a new one – maybe a chanterelle or a morel, in your salad, pasta, or sautéed
and eaten all on its own.

Parsnip Parsnips look like white, overgrown carrots, except they’re sweet, and wonderful in soups and
stews as well as roasted or mashed like potatoes.

Pear Simple and delicious, pears are one of the tastiest fruits of the fall season. Bite into one anytime
to enjoy the juicy, sweet treat!

Pomegranate This jewel-like fruit may be a little exotic but it is sweet, delicious and very good for you. To get
the fruit, cut off the top, and chop it into sections; then put the fruit into a bowl of water, roll out
the little fruit sacks, and throw everything else away.

Pumpkin Pumpkins aren’t just for jack o’lanterns at Halloween! Scoop out and roast the seeds for a tasty
snack, or use the pumpkin itself to make bread, pie, pancakes, or soups!

Sweet Potato Mmmm…sweet potato pie! But you can also take advantage of the healthiness of sweet potatoes
by baking them whole, making them into fries, or mashing them up.

7

Bullying BY DENENE MILLNER

I t started, first, with the two little girls telling Mari
they didn’t like her outfit. The next day, they told my
baby she smelled. The day after that, one of them
touched her twists and said, “Ew,” and then trotted off,
giggling, over to the corner of the classroom, where she
being mean to a fellow student would get a note home.
That threat fell on deaf little ears. The two kept at my
daughter, sans repercussion from teachers. Until, that is,
they picked on my Mari and a friend of hers out on the
playground, saying words so ugly that by the time recess
and her partner-in-crime continued to whisper and point was over, half the class was in tears and my nephew,
at Mari while she sat in a heap, struggling through her Mari’s cousin, was threatening to take both of the
tears to finish her work. ringleaders out. The next morning, I found Mari in her
She’d told me a couple of times that the girls were room crying and fretting over her outfit, fearful that the
doing mean things to her, and each time she complained, skirt dress and tights I’d picked out for her to wear would
I advised her the way a good parent should. First, I bring down the wrath of her personal tormentors.
reminded her that no matter what anyone says, she is Mari, then a second grader, joined legions of school
special and beautiful and loved. The second time, I gave students who have been bullied by classmates on school
her some choice words for her two nemeses. When they grounds. According to a federal report conducted by the
touched her hair, I pulled her teacher aside and made it Education and Justice Departments, 86 percent of public
clear: “You need to talk to them before I do.” The next schools in 2005-2006 reported that one or more violent
day, the teacher warned the class that anyone caught incidents, thefts of items valued at $10 or more, or other


crimes happened in their hallways and on their battles. But one of the messages we send to our kids
playgrounds—a rate of 46 crimes per 1,000 enrolled when we make them fight is that we don’t necessarily
students. Almost a third of students ages 12 to 18 have their back—that if they “snitch” they’re being weak
reported being bullied inside school. These students are and we’ll be more upset by this than we will by any bully.
suffering. “For both students and teachers, victimization So I’m calling for balance – an updated response that
at school can have lasting effects,” the report said. “In allows us to be more sensitive to the way that our
addition to experiencing loneliness, depression, and children think and react to danger and threat. We need to
adjustment difficulties, victimized children are more let our kids know that we’re stepping in on their behalf—
prone to truancy, poor academic performance, dropping to send the message that people care about them and will
out of school and violent behaviors.” protect them, no matter what. Some kids are going to be
The harassment comes in many forms—verbal able to suck it up and face the bully down. Others are
intimidation, taunting, threats, physical violence and, going to be afraid and do damage to themselves instead.
increasingly, via cyber abuse—and, when left It’s on us to give them a third option—to trust that their
unaddressed, can cut a child like a knife. Indeed, nothing parents will do something about it, and hold these
was made more apparent when 11-year-old Jaheem schools and their administrators and the parents of the
Herrera, a 5th grade student in Georgia, hung himself in bullies accountable for not keeping sweet little boys like
April 2009 after bullies at his school relentlessly called Jaheem and Carl safe from unbearable abuse.
him “gay” and a “snitch.” Jaheem’s death came just 10 In the case of my Mari, that playground incident made
days after another 11-year-old, Carl Walker-Hoover, of me step up and say, “Nope—no more.” Though there
Massachusetts, committed suicide rather than face was no Kumbaya moment after the roundtable of parents,
another day of bullying. administrators, teachers and the school director, the
The African American community has always had a school agreed to put into place a system for the kids to
complicated response to bullying; the clear message we complain about bullying anonymously. And while the
send to our children is that it’s up to them to go out there teachers agreed to be more vigilant in keeping an eye out
and handle the bullies on their own. You know the for the troublemakers, I also let them know that if either
scenario: you get picked on, mom or dad slaps you for one of those girls said one word to Mari again, she had
being a punk, then pushes you out the door and says, the go-ahead from her mama to fight back.
“Handle it, or I’m going to whip you myself.” It’s a The threat of the beat down was a scare tactic, not
tradition we have of trying to toughen up our kids—of reality—Mari’s no bruiser, and I would never encourage
making them feel like they have the power to stop the her to fisticuffs. But the threat was a part of what worked
bullying all on their own. to move the school to action and put an end to the
There’s something to be said for this; our kids are going runaround. Most importantly, though, is that leading all
to face bullying throughout their lives. Bullies become the way up to that meeting and after it, too, our child
increasingly clever as we get older—people use their knew that her mommy and daddy had her back.
position and power to force us to do things we don’t want We finished up the school year with the girls keeping a
to do or make us feel bad about ourselves, and so there is safe distance from Mari. But I wish that all the grown-
some value to preparing our kids to fight, not flee, these ups involved had early on recognized and practiced what
we truly believe: That it was on us to handle
the mess. We needed to make sure our child
knew that whatever was going on, it had
nothing to do with her— somebody else was
wrong and the responsibility for responding
to the bad things being done to her was not
hers alone. I

Denene Millner is a mother of two daughters, a
columnist for Parenting magazine and the author of
the popular blog, MyBrownBaby. She’s penned 18
books, including the New York Times best-selling
relationship advice book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like
a Man (with comedian Steve Harvey), and “Miss You,
Mina,” one in the hugely popular Scholastic Candy
Apple tween book series.

9

BETWEEN THE COVERS

A Celebration of Harlem!
Dr. Vivian G. Johnson, Dr. Jonella A. Mongo & Dr. Toni S. Walters

HARLEM,
Then and Now
by Vivian G. Johnson, Ph.D.

H arlem is the symbolic birthplace of
words that have transcended time.
The space that nurtured the creative
voices of great authors still serves as a well
from which contemporary writers draw to
create visual and literary images with Harlem
as a backdrop. I fell in love with Harlem in
the late 1960s, when librarians introduced
me to books written by noted authors of the
Harlem Renaissance. The first was Richard
Wright’s 1938, Uncle Tom’s Children, a compilation of short stories describing southern racist atrocities that grieved my
spirit. Reading Big Boy Leaves Home fostered an aesthetic response that shaped my seventh grade conceptualization of
what I now know as the epitome of “othering.” Years later, Walter Dean Myers’ novels transported me into exciting
young lives often intersecting at Lennox Ave and 145th ST. Contemporary authors and illustrators continue to celebrate
Harlem. Whether it is Bryan Collier’s realistic chocolate visual representation of a Harlem brownstone in Uptown, the
poetic voice and vivid illustrations in Myers and Myers Harlem, or Eleanor Tate’s adolescence exploration in Celeste’s
Harlem Renaissance, the geographical setting for great literature is still a special place. The literature presented in this
column was chosen to convey that to readers, and whet their literary appetites with a cornucopia of contemporary
realistic fiction, historical fiction, and non-fiction set in Harlem, NYC. Grab a book, take a seat and let’s go uptown!

Ages 4-8
*Bootman, Colin (2009), The Steel Pan Man of Harlem, Carolrhoda. Modern day
retelling of the Pied Piper of Hamelin tale set during the Renaissance Harlem period.
Children will learn about keeping one’s word and doing the right thing. Ages 4-8

*Campbell, Bebe Moore, illustrator Richard Yarde,
(2006) Stompin' At the Savoy, Philomel
Books/Penguin Young Readers Group. Mindy was
afraid. Her dance recital was a few hours away, and
no matter what her three dancing great-aunties said
would make the fear go away. A magical drum and
a dancing cat introduce her to musicians and
dancers gracing the stage of legendary Savoy,
where fear disappears. Ages 4-8


Collier, Bryan, (2000) Michelson,
Uptown, Henry Holt and Richard, illustrator
Company. A young boy *E. B. Lewis,
provides a guided tour of (2005) Happy
his Harlem neighborhood. Feet, Gulliver
From his home in a Books. A father
brownstone to the Hudson shares with his son
River he pays tribute to many stories of
uptown. Ages 4-8 the legendary
Savoy Ballroom in
Harlem. Ages 4-8

*Hartfield, Claire, illustrator *Norman, Lissette,
*Jerome LaGarrique, (2002) Me illustrator *Frank
and Uncle Romie, Penguin Morrison, (2006) My Feet
Group. Young boy who lives in are Laughing, Farrar,
North Carolina, learns a lot about Straus and Giroux. Young
Harlem when he visits his uncle, Sadie's Dominican
famed artist Romare Bearden, for Republic voice is poetry
the summer. Ages 4-8 in motion with words and
visual images stretching
*Hughes, Langston, across the pages as a
photographs by *Charles means of sharing family
Smith, (2009) My People, and friends living in
Simon & Schuster Children’s. Harlem. Ages 4-8
Smith’s sepia photographs
vividly capture the words of Perdomo, Willie,
this much-loved poem. illustrator *Bryan Collier,
Ages 4-8 (2005) Visiting
Langston, Henry Holt
*Hughes, Langston, illustrator and Company. A father
*Benny Edwards, (2006) introduces his little girl,
Poetry for Young People: a poet herself, to the
Langston Hughes, Sterling work and world of
Publishing. The powerful cultural hero Langston
words of Hughes, a major Hughes when they visit
writer during the Harlem his Harlem brownstone.
Renaissance, resonate in each Ages 4-8
poems presented in this
collection edited by Arnold *Smalls, Irene,
Rampersad and David illustrator Tyrone
Roessel. Ages 4-8 Geter, (2003) Irene
and the Big, Fine
*Hughes, Langston, Nickel, Little, Brown
illustrator *E.B. Lewis, Books for Young
(2009) The Negro Readers. The
Speaks of Rivers, adventures of a
Hyperion Books for young girl, living in
Children. Every child Harlem in the 1950s,
deserves to experience on the morning that
this timeless poem she finds a nickel in
known as the song of the street. Ages 5-8
the Harlem
Renaissance. Age 4-8

continued on page 12

11

Between the Covers, continued from page 11

*Ringgold, Faith, (1996) program for gifted young writers taught by Zora Neale
Tar Beach, Random House Hurston. The book contains endnotes about the Harlem
Children’s Books. Eight- renaissance. Ages 9-12
year-old Cassie uses her
imagination to fly above Muse, Daphne,
her family’s apartment, illustrator*Charlotte Riley
looking down on the Webb, (2005). The Entrance
streets of 1939 Harlem. Place of Wonders: Poems of
Ages 4-8 the Harlem Renaissance.
Abrams Books for Younger
*Taylor, Debbie A., illustrator Readers. This rhythmic
*Frank Morrison, (2004) celebration of Harlem
Sweet Music in Harlem, Lee Renaissance is a great
& Low. It is a special day for introduction to this historic
C. J.’s Uncle Click who will period. Poetic voices convey
be photographed with some the spirit of the people as seen through words of great
of the greatest musicians in writers. Ages 9-12
history, but Uncle Click's
special hat is missing. As C. *Myers, Walter Dean and Bill
J. embarks on a quest to find Miles, (2006) The Harlem
the hat, C. J. learns a sense of community and develops Hellfighters: When Pride Met
friendships in his Harlem neighborhood. Ages 4-8 Courage. Potomac Books Inc.
Another military legacy, this
*Velasquez, Eric, (2004) time the 369th Regiment, the
Grandma’s Records, Walker & first African American
Company. Summer visits to Regiment during World War I,
grandma’s Spanish Harlem has been brought to readers.
home is extra special when the Ages 9-12
author gets a chance to hears
his favorite Puerto Rican band in Robinson, Sharon, (2006) Safe
concert. Ages 5-8 at Home, Scholastic Press. Elijah
and his mother leave the
Ages 9-12 suburbs to live in Harlem, his
mother's home. He understands
* Guy, Rosa (2008). The Friends, that his father's unexpected
Hampton-Brown Books. Harlem is death leaves them no choice,
nothing like the island where she but giving up basketball for
grew up, but it is now home for baseball and dealing with a
Phyllisa and her family. Making bully leads to a challenging
friends was hard, but she and summer. Ages 9-12
Edith, became friends. Problems
began to erupt in both homes *Shange, Ntozake, illustrator
bringing multiple challenges for *Kadir Nelson, (2004)
the teen who had to grown up Ellington Was Not a Street,
too soon. Ages 9-12 Simon & Schuster. Ellington,
Robeson, Dubois, Dizzy,
*McKissack, Patricia & *Fred Sonny, and Nkrumah are
McKissack (2007). A Song of among the names of those
Harlem (Scraps of Time). who "changed the world"
Viking. In this third edition in and through the eyes of a
the Scraps of Time series, young girl today's youngsters
Gee tells the story of Aunt are introduced to legendary
Lilly Belle’s childhood journey figures who gathered in a
from her small hometown to Harlem home. Ages 9-12
Harlem to attend a summer


*Tate, Eleanora, (2007) *Myers, Walter Dean,
Celeste's Harlem Renaissance, (2007). 145th Street: Short
Little, Brown Young Readers. Stories. Delacorte Books
Moving from North Carolina to for Young Readers. This
Harlem is a major adjustment collection of short stories
for Celeste. Her own artistic reveals the pulse of
ability and ambitions allow her teenage life on one Harlem
to experience the Harlem Block. Humor and sadness
Renaissance, and make the exchange places as the
right life decisions. Ages 8-12 stories unfold, from the
reality of gang violence to
Young Adult the strength of community
togetherness. Young Adult
*McDonald, Janet, (2006)
Harlem Hustle, Frances *Myers, Walter Dean,
Foster Books/Farrar, Straus & (2006) Street Love,
Giroux. Eric Samson is called Amistad. This is a free
"Hustle" because that is how verse Shakespearean
he survives life in Harlem. His love story set in
dream to become a rapper contemporary Harlem.
fuels his desire to succeed, The possibility of a
but he soon learns that all is relationship between
not what it seems. Ages 12 teenagers Damien and
and up Janice is unclear when
her mother is
*Myers, Walter Dean, (2007)
sentenced to prison.
Harlem Summer, Scholastic
Young Adult
Press. Mark Purvis plays the
saxophone when he is not *Robinson, Sharon, (2007)
working at The Crisis Slam Dunk, Scholastic Press.
publishing office. He really Elijah "Jumper" Breeze
would love to impress believes things will be fine in
Harlem's legendary piano his new home in Harlem, and
player, Fats Waller. So much at his new school where there
so, that he takes on a delivery is the possibility of a
job that brings him into basketball team. Things are
conflict with mobster Dutch complicated when his rival
Schultz. Ages 12 and up transfers to his school, and his
friend challenges his chances
*Myers, Walter Dean,
for election to student
(2010). Here in
council. Young Adult
Harlem: Poems in
Dr. Toni S. Walters is a Professor at Oakland University. Dr. Jonella Mongo
Many Voices. Holiday
is adjunct faculty member at Oakland University and Dr. Vivian Johnson is
House. Harlem is the an Associate Professor at Marygrove College
home of his youth and
Walter Dean Myers’ THE BTC TEAM:
poetic voice is a Dr. Toni S. Walters – Professor at Oakland University in
historical tour guide. Rochester, Michigan
Sepia photographs of Dr. Vivian G. Johnson – Associate Professor at Marygrove College
in Detroit, Michigan
people, places and
Dr. Jonella A. Mongo – Visiting Faculty Member at Oakland University.
events is an enjoyable A Note to Authors and Publishers
journey for all. Young We encourage authors and publishers to send advance review copies
Adult and newly released books for children to: Dr. Toni S. Walters, SEHS,
Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48309
The Between the Covers team will review them for consideration in
future columns.

13

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and communities. Help make a findings from early childhood
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Peanut Butter ‘n
Jelly Muffins
These delicious, easy and inexpensive muffins can be a great breakfast, lunch
or snack for kids and parents on the go. Make them on Sunday for the week
ahead, and let older kids practice with the measurements, while younger kids
can help with the mixing and pouring. If someone is allergic to peanut butter,
substitute soy nut or sunflower seed butter – or use cream cheese instead!

Prep: 10 minutes Directions:
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder,
Bake: 15 minutes baking soda and salt. Combine the eggs, apple juice
concentrate, peanut butter, milk and butter; stir into
Ingredients: dry ingredients just until moistened.
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • Coat 12 muffin cups with cooking spray. Spoon half
• 2 teaspoons baking powder of the batter into cups. Spoon about 11/4 teaspoons
spreadable fruit into the center of each; top with
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda remaining batter.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt • Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick
• 2 eggs inserted into muffin comes out clean. Cool for 5
minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to
• 3/4 cup thawed apple juice concentrate cool completely. Yield: 1 dozen.
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat chunky peanut butter
Nutritional Analysis:
• 1/4 cup fat-free milk 1 muffin equals 225 calories, 8 g fat (3 g saturated fat),
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted 43 mg cholesterol, 315 mg sodium, 33 g carbohydrate,
1 g fiber, 6 g protein.
• 1/3 cup 100% strawberry spreadable fruit
Peanut Butter 'n' Jelly Muffins published in Light & Tasty August/September 2005, p54

Send your favorite winter recipe to moreinfo@nbcdi.org and we’ll publish one winner in the next issue of Child Health Talk!
www.nbcdi.org

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