Book cover of Saving American Beach: The Biography of African American Environmentalist MaVynee Betsch

Book description

This heartfelt picture book biography illustrated by the Caldecott Honoree Ekua Holmes, tells the story of MaVynee Betsch, an African American opera singer turned environmentalist and the legacy she preserved.

MaVynee loved going to the beach. But in the days of Jim Crow, she couldn't just go to any beach--most…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Saving American Beach as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Saving American Beach is a biography of MaVynee Betsch, an American activist and environmentalist.

Betsch is best known for her campaign to conserve American Beach, a historically Black community in Jacksonville, FL. Euka Holmes is an award-winning illustrator. She uses acrylic paint and paper collage to create absolutely gorgeous landscapes and portraits from the life of Betsch and her American Beach.

In my favorite spreads, you can honestly feel a peaceful, seaside breeze that will give you goosebumps.

If you love Saving American Beach...

Book cover of Jane Addams: The Most Dangerous Woman in America

Jane Addams by Marlene Targ Brill,

This biography for middle-grade readers and up explains who Jane Addams was and why she caused such a stir worldwide. The story follows Addams' first childhood realization of how poverty limits lives, livelihoods, and health to her becoming one of the most beloved―and disliked―women of her day. She worked to…

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