Sugar Hill: Harlem's Historic Neighborhood by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Sugar Hill, Sugar Hill where life's so sweet
that pride rings out on every street. 

Sugar Hill is the well-known neighborhood in Harlem that came to prominence in the 1920s and 1930s during the Harlem Renaissance. Written in bouncy rhyming verse, this vibrantly illustrated tribute to the artists, writers, and celebrities that resided there is a beautiful historical and cultural title to include in your library - whether it's a school, classroom, or home library. 

The author's note at the end provides readers with further background information about Sugar Hill as well as well as the famous names peppered throughout the story, such as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and Zora Neale Hurston. 


Sugar Hill: Harlem's Historic Neighborhood by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
Published: February 1, 2014
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Pages: 32
Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book
Audience: Middle Grade
Disclosure: Library Copy 

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Uptown by Bryan Collier

Uptown is jazz. My grandfather says, "Jazz and Harlem are a perfect match - just like chicken and waffles."

What a beautiful love song to Harlem. Collier shows his young audiences that Harlem isn't just a cultural treasure for New York City and for our country, but it's also a happening place to live.

I had the privilege of hearing Collier read this book aloud recently when he visited the Ann Arbor District Library for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and immediately knew I needed to own it. I was sad that Literati Bookstore, who was selling some of Collier's books at the event, didn't have this one for sale because Collier's spirited, rhythmical telling of all the things he loves about his neighborhood perfectly evokes the spirit of Harlem. I would have loved to get this one signed. Uptown a great book to pair with Harlem: A Poem by Walter Dean and Christopher Myers, as well as the poetry of Langston Hughes.

I am fascinated with Harlem - the history, the great art, literature, and music. And this book is a great entry point to start discussing with kids what is so special about it. And of course, the reason I picked the quote from the book at the beginning of this review is because, well, Harlem is the first place I ever had chicken and waffles last summer and it has been a beautiful friendship ever since. 


Uptown by Bryan Collier
Published: June 1, 2000
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Pages: 32
Genre: Picture Book
Audience: Primary/Middle Grade
Disclosure: Purchased Copy 

My new favorite "unusual" flavor combination

It's no secret that I love unexpected flavor combinations:

Maple bacon ice cream
Granny smith apples dipped in cheese fondue
Chicago mix popcorn (cheddar and caramel)

But my new favorite "unusual" flavor combination?

Chicken and waffles.

Now many of you reading this might be saying, "Chicken and waffles? That's not unusual. That's as common as turkey with stuffing."

Well you might be right, but I've still told enough people about my love for chicken and waffles the past couple of months who have turned to me and said, "Chicken and waffles? Really? That's actually good?"

And do you know what my response is? "OMG! IT'S DELICIOUS!!!! It's even better than chicken and mashed potatoes!"

So here's the skinny on chicken and waffles. This past summer my husband and I visited New York City. While there, I wanted to go to Harlem and visit a real soul food restaurant. We stumbled upon Amy Ruth's on 116th St. and our taste buds have been thanking us ever since. Upon perusing the menu, the first thing you notice is that all of the dishes are named after distinguished African Americans, the most famous dish being the Rev. Al Sharpton which is, of course, chicken and waffles.

My new favorite flavor combination. Thank you Amy Ruth's!

Now the chicken and waffles were absolutely brilliant and delicious separately (it was probably the best fried chicken I've ever had!), but something happens when you pair the crisp, juicy chicken with the light, airy waffles. Michael Symon always talks about the need for balance in a dish and so the reason I am asserting that waffles are a better pairing for fried chicken than mashed potatoes is because both fried chicken and mashed potatoes are rich and heavy, whereas the lightness of the waffles and sweetness of the maple syrup help balance out the heavy, savory fried chicken.

So ever since that moment at Amy Ruth's back in July, I have been craving chicken and waffles. Luckily, Zingerman's Roadhouse in Ann Arbor will indulge my craving, even when they're not on the menu (when we're there for breakfast anyway. I haven't tried asking them to make it for me during dinner service). I mean they have the chicken. They have the waffles. Why can't they do both on one dish? They do and they will! So now whenever I have a hankering for chicken and waffles, I only have to drive 20 minutes down I-94 instead of flying back to Harlem or somewhere down south.

And if you've never tried chicken and waffles before, I implore you to give it a try. Your taste buds will be thanking you just like mine did.