Since 1926, when it was founded by the African American scholar Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month has been commemorated every February. All month long, ceremonies, readings, and celebrations will focus on the contributions of black people throughout American history.

Carter Woodson’s choice of February was not arbitrary. The shortest month of the year marks the birthdays of two men who had a profound influence on African Americans and the abolitionist movement—Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, the author of the autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written By Himself.

February has many more significant connections to black history—birthdays, legislation, and historical events. Can you name five? Take up our webquest challenge and send your answers to writing@weeklyreader.com before February 20 for a chance to win one of two autographed copies of National Award finalist Julius Lester's Time’s Memory. 

In this gripping novel about the slave experience, Amma, the creator god, sends a young man to a plantation in Virginia. There, he becomes a slave on the eve of the Civil War and tries to find a way to bring peace to both the dead and the living.[Read an excerpt from Time's Memory.] 

In the prologue of this novel, Lester writes, "Our lives do not begin when we are born. Only our bodies do. Our lives begin so long ago that only Time remembers when and where, and most important, why." If you ask me, this sentence is a fitting tribute to Black History Month - it reminds us that the stories of our lives are not just our stories; they are also the stories of our ancestors and their life experiences; and, those of the ancestors before them. Deep thought. In West Africa, where the slave trade began, there's a word for this: Sankofa. It means "looking back to go forward."   ... 

OK, so this is a book worth reading and ... winning. Get your thinking cap on and start your research. What other important historical events in February are connected to Black History Month? I look forward to receiving your answers!

I don't know if that title was specific enough. This post could be about anything. OK, well I guess I won't keep you in suspense any longer. 

The final Harry Potter book is coming out on July 21, 2007. Yayyyyyy!!!!!!!

Click the book to pre-order your copy today!

Editor's note: I usually don't like these "I Am From" poems. But this one is exceptional. It was mailed to us via "snail-mail" which means that I had to type it out instead of copy/pasting from an email (wah!). So yeah, it must be good.

The imagery in this poem is stunning. The way the words hold each other takes my breath away. Read it out loud to a friend. No, of course you aren't from the same things Tia is. But we can all learn a little about the sound of poetry from her piece. Where are you from? Tell us.

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The Age of Reverie
-Poem by Tia DeShong, Grade 11

I come from gold-tipped blades of grass,
resplendent wading pools and ceilings spun from stars.
I'm from skinned knees and lips stained strawberry,
blithe daisies braided into crowns and dusty, bare feet.
I am a sea thrown into a summer breeze.

I come from dusty volumes mounted high on rickety shelves,
the smell of worn leather and ink.
I'm from bitterness invading my mouth from a steaming mug,
while rain pelts aged windowpanes.
To find me, read between the lines.

I come from pews carved from cedar and prayers encouraged from beads,
melancholy hymns and exalting cries.
I'm from incense speckled air and virtuously painted walls,
nagging thoughts and clawing doubts.
I'm a candle flickering briefly.

I come from lace-up sneaks and self-destroyed jeans,
hair available in Technicolor and loud music.
I'm from blood-stained hands and tattered flags
living in a nation that longs for a new creation.
Am I a sinner or a saint?

I come from roads painted weary with traveling footsteps,
Swimming in the seas and erasing the horizons.
I'm from chasing the sun and dancing with the moon,
speaking in tongues and letting the sovereignty sing me a lullaby ...
I'm from everywhere, yet nowhere at all.

On the last day of every month this year, we will be posting the best student writing that we received in that month. Does that make sense? In other words, on February 28th, we'll be posting the best student writing we received in February. And so on... each winner will receive a prize. Yah! Prizes! Woo hoo! I will post more about this later. But for now...

You are January's Student Writer of the Month!!!