Want to Know More About George Washington Carver? Here You Go:
Since my book LaDelle & Jubilant was released this past August, I’ve received many comments and reviews that included a statement like, “I learned so much about George Washington Carver! Now I’m intrigued to know more.”
I love these responses because, as I wove George into my historical fiction novel, I hoped to entice readers to want to discover more about this noteworthy man. So, for those who would like some additional info, I’ve compiled a few resources for you in this post. Merry Christmas!
Of course, not all historians agree on every “fact” about Carver—or anyone else in history, for that matter! I suppose there are things we can never know for sure. Discrepancies about historical figures should be expected, yet cause us to want to dig deeper. You’ll notice some minor “fact” variations in the resources below.
For instance, it’s most commonly written that George and his mother were kidnapped by bushwhackers when he was a baby and taken across state lines from Missouri to Arkansas. However, other reliable resources state that George had a sister, and she was also taken. (On the night of the abduction, his older brother Jim remained on the Carver farm.)
To learn more about George Washington Carver, check out these resources:
1. This article from How Stuff Works is well-written and gives a concise but informative look at George’s life.
2. This blog post from Randy Alcorn’s website speaks about Carver’s faith and offers additional resources, including a 51-minute documentary.
3. Carver—A Life in Poems by Marilyn Nelson is a wonderful book and recipient of a Coretta Scott King Award. Though it is also a Newberry Honor Book, an award given to children’s books, it is not for young kids. Some poems deal with mature-ish themes better suited for middle or high school students and adults. I’ve read the 59 poems and quotes and pored over the photos many times. It was a go-to read for me while working on LaDelle & Jubilant.
4. George Washington Carver—From Slave to Scientist by Janet and Geoff Benge. This book is part of the Benge’s Heroes of History series. I purchased it while visiting The George Washington Carver Museum on the Tuskegee University Campus many years ago. It’s a comprehensive and easy-to-read 189 pages about George, perfect for upper elementary grades to adults.
You don’t have to wait until Black History Month to be inspired by George Washington Carver for goodness’ sake! Spend a few minutes and learn more about him now. (There’s not much good on T.V. anyway.)
If you haven’t read LaDelle & Jubilant yet, I hope you will. How about buying a copy to give to someone this Christmas? Pair it with some kind of special peanut goodie or a sweet potato snack in honor of George Washington Carver!