“And Still I Rise: Black America Since MLK” by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Kevin M. Burke

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And Still I Rise: Black America Since MLK

by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Kevin M. Burke

Genre: Social History/African-American Studies

1.99 at time of posting!

The companion book to Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s PBS series, And Still I Rise—a timeline and chronicle of the past fifty years of black history in the U.S. in more than 350 photos.

Beginning with the assassination of Malcolm X in February 1965, And Still I Rise: From Black Power to the White House explores the last half-century of the African American experience. More than fifty years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the birth of Black Power, the United States has both a black president and black CEOs running Fortune 500 companies—and a large black underclass beset by persistent poverty, inadequate education, and an epidemic of incarceration. Harvard professor and scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. raises disturbing and vital questions about this dichotomy. How did the African American community end up encompassing such profound contradictions? And what will “the black community” mean tomorrow?

Gates takes readers through the major historical events and untold stories of the sixty years that have irrevocably shaped both the African American experience and the nation as a whole, from the explosive social and political changes of the 1960s, into the 1970s and 1980s—eras characterized by both prosperity and neglect—through the turn of the century to today, taking measure of such racial flashpoints as the Tawana Brawley case, OJ Simpson’s murder trial, the murders of Amadou Diallo and Trayvon Martin, and debates around the NYPD’s “stop and frisk” policies. Even as it surveys the political and social evolution of black America, And Still I Rise is also a celebration of the accomplishments of black artists, musicians, writers, comedians, and thinkers who have helped to define American popular culture and to change our world.

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“Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine” by Herman Parish

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Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine

by Herman Parish, Illustrator Lynne Avril

Genre: Children’s Books/Humorous/School/Valentines

1.99 at time of posting!

The New York Times bestselling picture book! It’s Valentine’s Day in young Amelia Bedelia’s classroom. And you know Amelia Bedelia—she wears her heart on her sleeve. More than 35 million Amelia Bedelia books sold since 1963!

The second book in the nationally bestselling series about the childhood of America’s favorite literal-minded housekeeper. School is always exciting for Amelia Bedelia, and getting her first Valentine’s Day card may be the most exciting surprise of all. But what will she do when she forgets her valentines for her classmates on the bus? Luckily, Amelia Bedelia is resourceful, and she doesn’t break any hearts.

A lovely pick for Valentine’s Day—or any day—Amelia Bedelia’s First Valentine will have readers making room in their hearts for this charmingly literal little girl.

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“Vicky & Lizzie’s First Period (Chrome Junction Academy Series Book 2)” by Andrew Mackay

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Vicky & Lizzie’s First Period

SNEAK PEEK (5)cover

Vicky and Lizzie pushed through double doors and entered the sports hall concourse. They were a few minutes late. A congregation of one hundred anxious students lined the wall. They looked nervous as they waited to enter the sports hall to sit their exam.

‘You’re late!’ Jody said. She clutched her English text book under her arm. ‘Bowery’s gonna be well pissed when she gets back.’

‘Oh, who cares?’ Vicky said, reaching into her rucksack and taking out her textbook. ‘She thinks she’s a good teacher. All she ever does is flirt with the boys and take out their rejections on us.’

‘Where is she?’ Lizzie asked, looking over the line of heads and shoulders leading to the door.

‘Ah, you’ve decided to join us.’ A female voice came from behind the line. ‘Vicky. Lizzie.’

They turned around to see the not-unattractive English teacher, Mrs Bowery, staring at them. She’d heard everything that had been said but decided not to challenge it. ‘Where have you two been?’

‘Sorry, miss,’ Lizzie said, looking the woman up and down. Today, she had elected to wear a tight thigh-high skirt, revealing a lot of leg.

‘We had to get our bags from Mr Parker’s class.’

‘They’re lying, miss!’ came a squeaky voice from the front of the line. It belonged to Nancy, the girl who’d collected up the phones in tutor.

‘What’s that, Nancy?’ Mrs Bowery asked.

‘We took our bags to assembly, miss,’ Nancy explained. ‘They were just taking their time.’

‘Is that true?’ Mrs Bowery asked the pair.

They didn’t answer. Instead, they looked down at their shoes.

‘I thought so. Thank you for informing me, Ms Brittle.’

Mrs Bowery walked toward the door to the sports hall. ‘Okay, everyone, before we go in, I want absolute silence. Do you understand what I’ve just said?’

‘Yes, miss,’ came a chorus of twelve-year-old voices.

The doors to the building pushed in. This time, it was Jonnie and Sam. ‘Sorry we’re late, miss!’

‘Jonnie Barron! Samuel Bright. Where have you two been?’

‘Needed to take a piss before the exam, miss,’ Jonnie shouted down the corridor.

‘Language, Jonnie!’ she said, before realising he had a sarcastic response. ‘And don’t you dare say—’

‘—Enlighs, miss.’

‘Right, that’s it. See me during break time.’

Jonnie caught a glimpse of her generous posterior and licked his lips with delight. ‘Can’t wait, miss.’

Mrs Bowery pushed the door open. ‘Okay, in you go.’

The students filed in one-by-one. Nancy stopped by the door and looked up at Mrs Bowery.

‘Miss?’

‘What is it, Nancy?’

‘You know Jonnie does it on purpose, don’t you?’

‘Does what on purpose, sweetie?’

Nancy took a deep breath and sighed as Jonnie walked into the sports hall with Sam. ‘Little bitch.’

‘Shut up!’ she said.

‘You shut up!’ Jonnie’s voice echoed around the sports hall.

‘Nancy?’

‘Yes, miss?’

‘What do you mean? Jonnie does what on purpose?’

‘He does bad things so you’ll give him detention. I heard him say he fancies you and likes looking at your legs and boobs, miss.’

Mrs Bowery swallowed hard and looked up at Jonnie, who took his seat at the back of the sports hall. ‘Really?’

‘Yes, miss. He said he wants to put his willy between your—’

‘—Okay, that’s enough. Thank you, Nancy.’ Shocked, she didn’t quite know how to respond. Nancy, the do-gooder canary, needed removing from any further embarrassment.

‘Okay, miss.’

 

Nancy trundled into the sports hall along with the horde of students. A grid of one hundred single chairs and an accompanying desk filled up the space.

Vicky and Lizzie weren’t sat together. Vicky Hopper sat in the middle of the sports hall. Lizzie’s surname – White – meant, as usual, she was last in the food chain. She took her seat at the front of the sports hall, near the tutor desk.

Jonnie Barron and Sam Bright – lucky buggers – were sat next to each other right at the back of the hall.

Each student looked for their name written on a small bit of paper on each desk and finally took their seats.

‘Okay, pencil cases and equipment out, please!’ Mrs Bowery said as she walked to the front desk. ‘You have five minutes until the exam starts. It will last one hour exactly.’

She pointed to the giant wall clock hanging on the front wall by the basketball stand. ‘Absolute silence, please. No peeking at the papers until I tell you!’

Jonnie looked over at Sam at the adjacent seat. ‘Psst!’

Sam didn’t hear him. He took a pencil out from his bag.

‘Psst!’

Still no response.

Jonnie sighed and kicked his table. ‘I said Psst, gay boy!’

‘Huh?’ Sam turned to Jonnie, confused. ‘What? What do you want?’

‘You got a spare pencil?’

‘Haven’t you got one?’

‘Yeah, but it’s my bag.’ Jonnie kicked his rucksack under the table. ‘I can’t be arsed to get it out.’

‘Ugh…’ Sam reached into his case and took out a second pencil. He flung it at his friend. ‘There.’

Jonnie caught it. ‘Cheers.’

Lizzie lined up three pencils, two erasers and a sharpener on her desktop. She looked over her shoulder and saw Vicky. She tapped the end of her pencil on the desk in tune to her toe kicking the squeaky sports floor.

Vicky gave Lizzie a wink. She raised her eyebrows and nodded at the door to the sports hall.

Lizzie blew Vicky a kiss and winked at her. She turned to the door.

Mr Bloom, the technology teacher, hurried into the hall. ‘Sorry I’m late, Mrs Bowery.’

‘That’s okay, Mr Bloom,’ she smiled and turned to the children. ‘Okay, when I say, you may turn over your papers and begin.’

Mr Bloom took a seat behind the desk and kept a close eye on the students. Mrs Bowery folded her arms and took a deep breath.

‘Three… two… one…’

She looked at the wall clock. Exactly 9:00 am.

‘Make sure your full name is at the top in block capitals, please.’

The children turned over their papers and began to read the questions.

‘You may begin.’

 

Bloody Hell!

All together now…

There were two girls called Vicky & Lizzie
Who kept the Academy busy
Causing trouble and mirth
For all they were worth
Sending teachers right into a tizzy

They kicked-off a false, nasty rumour
That one of the staff was a groomer
For everyone knows
Gossip spreads out and grows
But the school didn’t quite see the humour

Would Vicky & Lizzie regret
All the damage they caused? Nah, not yet
Scheming, conniving
The girls kept on vying
A dangerous precedent was set

Vicky & Lizzie delivered a blitz
On a school at the end of its wits
Did they care? Did they f**k
They were common as muck
Those nasty, vindictive young s#!ts

This might cause upset and uproar
It’s a musical satire, what’s more
For the first time ever
We promise you’ve never
Read anything like this before

So pick up your copy today
Of a story about which you will say
That I wanted to barf
But so hard I did laugh
Vicky & Lizzie have just made my day!

Purchase on Amazonhttp://amzn.to/2E6h5kO

 ~~~

Andrew MackayAbout Andrew Mackay​

Some authors are afraid to cross the line.

Me? Oh, I’m glad you asked! I make “the line” my starting point…

My brand is satire.

I hop between genres like madman on crack because my razor-sharp literary knife is hungry for political and social commentary. One genre just can’t cut it (if you’ll forgive the pun.) I’m obsessed, I tell you!

I write straight-up humor and farce, horror, crime, romance… all under the banner of satire.

My novels often contain a ruthless commentary on society, delving into the darker machinations of modern life. They can be uproarious, funny, outrageous and shocking. Make no mistake, though. They are this way for a reason, and always come equipped with a sense of humanity and wit.

My influences include John Cleese, Tom Sharpe, Kurt Vonnegut, James Patterson, Hunter S Thompson, Douglas Adams, Imogen Edwards-Jones, Michael Frayn, Chris Morris, Jerry Sadowitz, Christopher Hitchins, Bill Maher, George Carlin, Jordan Peterson, Pat Condell, and writer/director Larry Cohen.

My obsessions include (and are essentially limited to) obscene amounts of: smoking, drugs, alcohol, caffeine, sex, debating, daydreaming and writing about himself in the third person.

 

Website – https://chromevalleybooks.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/chromevalleybooks

Twitter – https://twitter.com/Andrew_CVB

Join Andrew Mackay on Facebook for a virtual launch party tonight for a selection of author takeovers and giveaways.

17:00 – 20:00 CST  which is  23:00 – 02:00 GMT (14/15 Feb)

https://www.facebook.com/events/254661718405712/

~~~

“Girls Just Wanna Make Bank”

(Lyrics by V. Hopper and L. White)

Vicky:

I wake up, first thing in the morning,

And think “How do I make myself look less rank?”

The answer is simple, Liz,

You can’t offer the driver a wank,

Us girls, we gotta make bank.

Oh, girls just gotta make bank…

Driver:

Oh-ho, girls, they wanna make bank.

Vicky and Lizzie run alongside the car.
The driver toots his horn and winks at the pair.

 

Lizzie:

We can’t afford

To buy all the stuff we want

With the shitty pocket money we get.

Our parents force us to go on the rob

Us girls, we gotta make bank.

Driver:

Yes, you girls,

You gotta make bank.

The pedestrians stop and dance with the pair of girls.

An elderly couple with shopping bags.
A young mother with a baby in stroller.

 

Vicky & Lizzie:
Girls, we want,

Want to make bank.

Pedestrians:

When the school day starts and stuff,

Oh girls, you just want to make bank.

Vicky and Lizzie run off with a hop, skip and a jump.

A flurry of school kids join them as they
turn into the school road.

 

Vicky:

Some boys think that Lizzie and I

Do it for attention and lols.

We want to be the ones that they never blank

So us girls,

We go and make bank.

The other kids line up. Lizzie opens her bag and takes the money from the school children who buy the stolen sweets.

 

Children:

You need to,

You just need to-oo…

Lizzie:

Us girls just,

Wanna make bank.

 

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“Mad Librarian: You Gotta Fight For Your Right to Library!” by Michael Guillebeau

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Mad Librarian: You Gotta Fight For Your Right to Library!

by Michael Guillebeau

Genre: Humor & Satire/Women Sleuths

Kindle Unlimited

A Southern librarian fights back when the city cuts off funding for her library in this funny, angry book from award-winning author Michael Guillebeau.
Reviewers said:
“One of the most enjoyable books I have read this year…
“…quirky characters and lots of laughs.”
“A madcap adventure of a book where librarians have all the answers.”
“A wonderfully entertaining book! Every library should have this book on the shelf.”
“…jumps off the shelf and begs to be read…I would give it 7 or 8 on a 5* scale.”
“This book will make you angry while making you laugh out loud.”

Half of all income goes to the Awesome Foundation for Library Innovation.

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