We recently discovered Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates’ show Finding Your Roots. Originally on PBS, the first season of six was free to Amazon Prime members through the end of February. (You can watch the other seasons for a charge; I’m crossing my fingers Amazon will offer more free episodes going forward.)
Through historical documentation and DNA, Gates follows the ancestry of such famous people as Cory Booker, John Lewis, Samuel Jackson, John Legend, and Wanda Sykes. The nineteenth century stories often have a truth-is-stranger-than-fiction twist to them. The program is a great way to teach tweens (and adults) the history of slavery and enjoy some of your favorite celebrities. FotE gives it two thumbs up!