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Set in the 1950's and 1960's American South, Junebug is a middle grade novel that fictionalizes Wilson Edward Reed, PhD's experience growing up Black under Jim Crow-and finding a way out.
About the author
Wilson Edward Reed, PhD was born on a family farm in 1950’s Mississippi, during the height of Jim Crow segregation. As an African American, he lived under the twenty-two laws that restricted miscegenation (racial mixing) and prevented African Americans from participating as full citizens—for over seventy-five years.
Dr. Reed learned at an early age that he must obey Jim Crow or face punishment. He attended a segregated school, church, movie theater, and a public library, and was able to maintain his dignity by working hard in school and taking small jobs, including picking cotton. After attending Rosa A. Temple High School and Utica Junior College, Wilson Reed moved to Seattle and earned both B.A. and M.A. at the University of Washington. Years later he would earn a M.A. at Suny Albany and finally capped off his academic achievements with a PhD at Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, Arizona. He taught at over five institutions, including the University of Washington, the University of Oregon, Seattle University, Northern Arizona University, and Texas Christian University over his professional career.
Today, Dr. Reed currently resides outside of Las Vegas, NV. His writing can be found on BlackPast.org, where he’s contributed over ten biographical vignettes, as well as in his first book
The Politics of Community Policing. His newest release,
Junebug, is a fictionalized account of growing up Black in the South during the 1950’s and 60’s, under Jim Crow.
Summary
Set in the 1950’s and 1960’s American South, Junebug is a middle grade novel that fictionalizes Wilson Edward Reed, PhD’s experience growing up Black under Jim Crow—and finding a way out.
Foreword
- Submit to industry reviewers, including Publishers Weekly Library Journal, Foreword Reviews
- Developing and will be driving readers to an iInteractive website dedicated to JuneBug, including a blog, photos, videos, music, lessons, and discussion forums
- Website to also include lessons and examples of how to use parts of the book for shared reading, read aloud, and differentiated small group lessons.
- Outreach to schools
- Demonstrate lessons that show how JuneBug is both a memoir and a historical text
- Reach out to and create opportunities with African American museums
- Reach out to the Church community to show that we have a book that celebrates the values of community, family, hard work, love, and forgiveness.
- Local speaking engagements at community events, professional gatherings, and schools
- Lead discussions with kindergartners and teachers alike
- Maintains daily presence on Facebook (4,600 followers), interacting on a broad range of topics and staying in touch with past colleagues and students
