February 11th, 2007 Black History Month

February is Black History Month

Every year in February, we celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians, who have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse nation that we know today. It is also an opportunity for the majority of Canadians to learn about the experiences of Black Canadians in our society. A great way to do this is by reading a book written by one of the may talented African-Canadian authors. Listed here is just a small sampling. Come into your local library branch and check one out.

Behind The Face of Winter by H. Nigel Thomas.
Pedro Moore leaves the nurturing yet destitute home of his grandmother on Isabella Island to join his mother Isis, who works as a domestic in Montreal. Pedro brings with him the memories of his island, the teachings of his beloved grandmother and Brother Solomon, and a desire to know the secret identity of his father. The world of the poor black youth he has to negotiate, without losing himself, is hopelessly desperate, cruel and violent, yet paradoxically caring. Behind the Face of Winter is a coming-of-age novel that takes place in Montreal in which immigrant youth totter on the edge of self-destruction and oblivion. This is a brilliantly evocative novel sure to leave its mark on the reader.

The Polished Hoe by Austin Clarke.
When Mary-Mathilda, one of the most respected women of the island of Bimshire (Barbados) calls the police to confess a crime, the result is a shattering all-night vigil that brings together elements of the island's African past and the tragic legacy of colonialism in one epic sweep. Set in the West Indies in the period following World War II, The Polished Hie , a Giller Prize Winner, unravels over the course of twenty-four hours but spans the collective experience of a society
characterized by slavery.

Childhood by Andre Alexis.
Uniquely imagined and vividly evoked, Andre Alexis's prize-winning novel chronicles the childhood of Thomas MacMillan who sets out to piece together the early years of this life. Raised in a Southern Ontario town in the '50s and'60s, Thomas is abandoned to the care of his eccentric Trinidadian grandmother. Then, at ten, his mother reclaims him, taking him to Ottawa and to the once-splendid Victorian home of Henry Wing, a gentle conjurer whose love of science and the
imagination become an important legacy. But, is he Thomas's father? Often humorous, Childhood tells the story of a man's quest for what is lost, bringing him closer to the truth about himself.

Any Known Blood by Lawrence Hill.
Spanning five generations, sweeping across a century and a half of almost unknown history, this acclaimed and unexpectedly funny novel is the story of a man seeking himself in the mirror of his family's fast. Rich in historical detail and gracefully flowing from the slave trade of nineteenth-century Virginia to the present, Any Known Blood gives life to a story never before told, a story of five generations of a black Canadian family whose tragedies and victories merge with the American experience.

What We All Long For by Dionne Brand.
This novel follows the overlapping story of a close circle of second generation twenty-somethings living in downtown Toronto. The four characters try to make a life for themselves in the city, supporting one another through their family struggles.

Rhinos for Lunch and Elephants for Supper by Tololwa M. Mollel.
For children in kindergarten to grade 3, this is a lighthearted Maasai tale of a rabbit who returns to the mouth of her cave and hears a noise from within. "A monster, a monster. I eat rhinos for lunch and elephants for supper!" comes a voice from the cave. A variety ofanimals try to help her get rid of the mysterious intruder who has taken over her house. Only the frog is courageous enough to take on the bully.

Many sites, persons and events of national significance related to Black History have been formally recognized by the Government of Canada as defining important aspects of Canada's diverse heritage and identity. To learn more about African-Canadian authors and for more
information about Black History Month, visit www.edselect.com/black_history_month.htm.

Helen Cimone is a Public Service Assistant at the Thunder Bay Public Library.