Contemporary African Americans
Am I the Last Virgin? Ten African American Reflections on Sex
Edited by Tara Roberts
These candid essays on sexual identity by ten African-American women explore the diverse boundaries of sexuality. With amazing courage, these women tell their own stories and provide an intimate and compelling view of the struggles faced by young women today. Whether it is recovering from rape, embracing a lesbian orientation, or taking pride in virginity, each of these women has embarked upon a journey to build or rebuild her own sexual identity. Facing the issues of pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and psychological responses to sexual activity, these essays also examine the health issues young women encounter. These essays are powerful affirmations of self-awareness, independence, and love. This book should be read and discussed by women and men from all walks of life. 1997, Aladdin, Ages 14 and up, $3.99. Reviewer: Alexandria LaFaye
ISBN: 0-689-81254-X
Bonjour, Lonnie
Faith Ringgold
The Caldecott award-winning author tells about an African American experience rarely presented to children. Lonnie's story is about his search for his heritage. It tells about the flight of African American artists, writers and musicians, including his grandfather, to Paris in the 1920's to achieve cultural freedom following World War I. It also tells of the bravery shown and honors bestowed on the Harlem Hell fighters in the 369th regiment, which opened the door for the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance. The mixed heritage of Lonnie's family also is related, including the internment of his Jewish mother by the Nazis and the death of his father in the French army during World War II. 1996, Hyperion, Ages 6 to 8, $15.95 and $15.89. Reviewer: Leila Toledo
ISBN: 0-7868-0076-3
ISBN: 0-7868-2062-4
Colin Powell
Laura Hamilton Waxman
Colin Powell was a hard worker from the first time he unloaded furniture to help a neighborhood businessman through all the years when he was determined to be the best at whatever job he held. The best, period--not the best black man. Powell grew up in the north but began his army career in the segregated south at Fort Benning, Georgia. He could not even go to restaurants with his white army buddies--but "he had to stay out of trouble if he wanted to do well in the army. That meant following these rules." Later Powell would become a four-star general, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of State. The text follows his career with black and white snapshots and boxes of related information (Vietnam protests, Powell's awards, facts about Iraq). There are pictures on every page, as well as a glossary, timeline and additional resources. It is an easy book to use for reference or school reports. Young readers do not really get to know the person inside the uniform, but they will learn how an African-American rose to the highest levels of government in spite of segregation and discrimination because of his intelligence, straightforward manner and loyalty. This is part of the "History Maker Bios" series. 2005, Lerner Publications, $25.26. Ages 8 to 12. Karen Leggett (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-8225-2433-3
ISBN: 0-8225-5463-1
Colin Powell
Geoffrey M. Horn
This book is another volume in the "Trailblazers of the Modern World" series aimed at upper elementary and middle school youngsters. As with others in this series the book is filled with engaging facts and data. Powell was born in New York City on April 6, 1937. His parents came to America from Jamaica. He says he was "a happy-go-lucky kid" while growing up in Harlem and the South Bronx. In college Powell joined the Reserve Officer Corps, more commonly known as the ROTC. While in the Army Powell rose through the ranks to become a full general and became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. After retiring from the military Powell served as Secretary of State. Youngsters who need to read a biography for a class project will find everything they need in this excellent book. Additional resources include lists of Internet sites, other books, a timeline, glossary and many fine photographs. Libraries will find this a welcome addition to the biography section. 2005, World Almanac Library, $29.26 and $11.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Sylvia Firth (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-83685-498-5
ISBN: 0-83685-267-2
Creativity
John Steptoe
Illustrated by E. B. Lewis
Published after his death, John Steptoe created yet another wonderful picture book with positive messages. Told in first person, the African American protagonist named Charles wonders why Hector, the new guy in his class, looks like him but speaks Spanish. When the teacher explains that Hector is from Puerto Rico, Charles is even more confused. This leads to a heart-warming investigation of differences children notice, yet the similarities that can be found if they look. If the parents and the teacher in the book seem a little too perfect, the bonus is in the outcome. Definitely worthy of mention are the outstanding illustrations by illustrator E. B. Lewis. The fluidity with which he uses watercolors is comparable to Jerry Pinkney's best. 1997, Clarion Books, Ages 7 to 10, $15.95. Reviewer: Sue Preslar
ISBN: 0-395-68706-3
Dave and the Tooth Fairy
Verna Allette Wilkins
Illustrations by Paul Hunt
Poor Dave can't find his tooth. He sneezed and it came out, but where did it go. Dave gets an idea. When grandpa goes to bed, Dave takes his grandpa's false teeth and puts them under his pillow. Both grandpa and the tooth fairy are in for a surprise. The tooth fairy has her own story in this tale, and it all ends happily in this African-American story with an African-American tooth fairy. 1998, Gareth Stevens, Ages 5 to 8, $18.60. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-8368-2089-4
Donovan McNabb
Michael Bradley
Like the rest of the sport figures in Bradley's "Benchmark All-stars" series, Donovan McNabb is a superb athlete able to overcome multiple obstacles. Bradley begins the book with a description of McNabb's return to his position as a topflight quarterback less than two months after breaking his ankle in a game. McNabb showed incredible grit and determination by finishing out that game on an ankle no one realized was broken. As one of the first black quarterbacks in NFL history, it was not the first time he had had to overcome difficulties. When McNabb was 8 years old, his family moved from Chicago's South Side to an affluent suburb, one of the first black families to do so. Shortly thereafter, someone broke into and vandalized the house, leaving a trail of obscenities on the outside walls. The McNabbs refused to be chased away--Donovan went on to become both a football and basketball star in high school. When McNabb was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, he was booed by some of the fans. But he refused to let it bother him. He just worked harder--and became not only a world class player, but true leader, the "heart and soul" of his team. A member of one rival team called him, "the ultimate weapon in the league." Once again, Bradley offers us a fine, engaging story with colorful photographs, interesting sidebars, an index, and a page of "stats"--what we have come to expect from this lively series of sports biographies. 2005, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, $18.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Dawn Elizabeth Hunt (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7614-1756-7
Ernestine & Amanda
Sandra Belton
Ten year old Ernestine and Amanda have several things in common; they both take piano lessons from the same teacher, they are both preparing for a piano competition, and they have several friends in common, including the twins, Alicia and Edna. Unfortunately, the thing that they have most in common is a mutual dislike, which is reinforced as their paths cross more and more often. Told in alternating chapters from each girl's point of view, and with touches of humor, the author does a convincing jot of recreating a middle class, African American, city neighborhood of the 1950s, with some realistic problems and pleasures relating to families and friends. 1996, Simon & Schuster, Ages 8 to 12, $ 16.00. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan
ISBN: 0-689-80848-8
Ernestine & Amanda: Summer Camp/Ready or Not!
Sandra Belton
Ernestine and Amanda, our two narrators, are African-American girls growing up in the 1950s in the southern United States. In each chapter, which equals a week of their summer vacation, each girl relates her experiences before, during, and after going to summer camp. Each girl's family has a special reason for sending its daughter to camp (Ernestine to an all African-American girls' camp and Amanda to an integrated camp in the North). Each girl learns a lot about herself and about life during her event-filled summer. A quick, fun read, this novel will entertain children of all races. 1997, Simon & Schuster, Ages 8 to 14, $16.00. Reviewer: Rebecca Joseph
ISBN: 0-689-80846-1
Faraway Drums
Virginia Kroll
Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Jamila and Zakiya are two young girls who must take care of themselves while Mama's at work. They have recently moved to a city apartment building and the shouts of the people, the doors slamming and other noises from the street are frightening. To help comfort her sister and to shore up her own courage, Jamila remembers the stories that her great-gramma told. She pretends they are in Africa and that the banging is just a drum, the whooping and howling is just a pack of hyenas, and the screaming brakes and horns are really just elephants at a watering hole. A friendly neighbor does check on them, but they face the frightening sounds on their own and take comfort in each other as they await Mama's return home. The story is all too real for many children, but the fantasy world created by Jamila and the wonderfully reassuring illustrations by Cooper may provide solace while it opens the eyes of others whose lives are quite different. 1998, Little Brown, Ages 5 to 8, $14.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-316-50449-1
Freedom's Gift's: A Juneteenth Story
Valerie Wesly
Illustrated by Sharon Silson
June can't wait to go to the Juneteenth celebration. In fact, everything would be perfect if it weren't for her cousin, Lillie, who is visiting from New York City. Lillie doesn't understand the importance of this day and doesn't mind letting everyone know it. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of African Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865. The story is set in 1943, and the south was still experiencing forced segregation, something Lillie isn't subjected to in the north. Children of all races and ethnicities (as well as the rest of us) can enjoy and appreciate the lessons about family, culture, and celebration taught here. 1997, Simon & Schuster, Ages 8 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Shree van Vreede
ISBN: 0-614-29065-1
Grandma's Hands
Dolores Johnson
Billy must live with his grandmother in the country, while his mother returns to the city to "get herself together." His reluctance to accept his grandmother's overtures dissipates over time because he is lonely. She offers him love by involving him in the daily routine of her life. The growth of their love is expressed touchingly in a scene with the birth of kittens. When grandma declares that he need not name all of the kittens because they will just be given away, Billy cries out, "No! Grandma...Mamas and babies should always stay together." Pastel watercolors fill the pages, softening the harsh reality underlying the text. The expression on the grandmother's face when she states the kittens will "only be given away" generates an uncertainty about her relationship with her own daughter. The figurative paintings accent the tension that is never resolved. When Billy's mother comes to reclaim him, she stands apart while his grandmother sits, head in hand, eyes cast downward. Not as sentimental as Papa's Stories, this book does not end with a neat, happy ending, but gives insight into a difficult experience and how steadfast love eases the loneliness of a child. 1998, Marshall Cavendish, Ages 6 to 10, $15.95. Reviewer: Tina Hudak
ISBN: 0-7614-5026-2
Harlem
Walter Dean Myers
Illustrated by Christopher Myers
The father and son, Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers, have outdone themselves in this spectacular book. The Walter Dean has written a lovely poem about the rich history of Harlem, ."..a promise / Of a better life, of a place where a man didn't / Have to know his place / Simply because he was / Black." Not only is the journey of African-Americans to Harlem and their lives described lyrically in words but also it is beautifully illustrated in Christopher Myers' vivid collage art. The pictures tell their own story of the powerful impact Harlem had on the lives of its residents. Caldecott Honor book and Coretta Scott King Honor award. 1997, Scholastic Press, Ages 10 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Rebecca Joseph
ISBN: 0-590-54340-7
How Sweet the Sound: African American Songs for Children
Selected by Wade & Cheryl Hudson
Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
The authors, who separately and together have written several lovely books featuring Afican American children, describe this beautiful hardcover book as "not a musical song book ... [but] a picture book that illustrates songs." It presents more than twenty traditional African-American songs, including spirituals, folk songs, chants, and more contemporary favorites such as "Take the A Train. " The beautifully painted illustrations depict African Americans in a variety of both modern and historical settings. The songs' lyrics are presented in poem form with the illustrations; a section at the end of the book provides background information, as well as the musical score for each song. A list of other resources, including both books and musical collections, is included. How Sweet the Sound is a welcome addition to both homes and school programs seeking to create an affirming, multi-cultural environment for children of all ages. 1995, Scholastic, All Ages, $15.95. Reviewer: Marny Helfrich
ISBN: 0-590-48030-8
In Your Face!
Robb Armstrong
Illustrations by Bruce Smith
The author is known for his positive portrayal of African-Americans in his nationally syndicated comic strip, "Jump Start." The characters in this story are eight-year old versions of professional basketball players Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo, and Alonzo Mourning. These young players are challenged by a group of "trash-talkin'" bullies for use of their basketball court. The boys try to solve the problem with games, threats, and even plans for a fight. Finally a challenge game culminates in a showdown, but Patrick stops the first blow and just walks away. In his African accent, Dikembe commends his friend by saying, "A great warrior does not only fight. A truly great warrior keeps the peace." The messages in this book are admirable, although it is not clear where or how the main characters get the motivation or skills to deal with the danger, threats, and peer pressure and resolve the issues so neatly. Adults have rare appearances in the book. One in the "Patrick's Pals" series. 1998, HarperCollins, Ages 7 to 10, $3.99. Reviewer: Cathy Greenwood
ISBN: 0-06-107068-8
Junebug
Alice Mead
Junebug is an almost ten-year-old African American boy, living in the Auburn Street project with his loving, hard-working mother and younger sister, Tasha. As he approaches his birthday, he has both dreams and dreads. He dreams that someday he will have the chance to sail, but he dreads his tenth birthday because, at that age, the boys in his neighborhood are usually pressured to join gangs, and this is something that Junebug definitely wants to avoid. When his birthday arrives, Junebug tries to fulfill his dream by launching his collection of 50 glass bottles, each with a note inside asking for a sailing lesson. How Junebug's dream is fulfilled and how his dread is averted makes for a warmhearted and believable novel. 1995, Farrar, Ages 8 to 12, $14.00. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan
ISBN: 0-374-33964-3
Leon's Story
Leon Walter Tillage
Illustrated by Susan Roth
Leon's Story is the autobiography of a man born in Fuquay, North Carolina in 1936. This short novella is the result of stories captured on tape by Susan Roth, and whose collages decorate its pages. The vignettes from Leon's life span many years of change and are told with simplicity, honesty, and no anger. Leon's father was an uneducated but honest and hard-working sharecropper. On his fifteenth birthday, Leon watched while a car of white boys intentionally killed him. He tells the story of a white man teaching his son to hate, and he tells of the horrors he faced marching Raleigh's streets in non-violent protests during the sixties. Leon speaks without judgment, but readers will most certainly grieve and be enraged and troubled by his descriptions. 1997, Farrar, Ages 8 to 12, $14.00. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
ISBN: 0-374-34379-9
Mayor: In the Company of Norman Rice, Mayor of Seattle
Written and Photographed by Richard Sobol
For eight days Richard Sobol followed Mayor Norman Rice through his busy schedule as mayor of Seattle. This interesting book details the variety of activities, meetings, and events that Mayor Rice engages in as he leads his busy city. The text and color photographs give a nice glimpse into the life of one of the most prominent African-American mayors of a major United States city. 1996. Cobblehill, Ages 8 to 12, $15.99. Reviewer: Rebecca Joseph
ISBN: 0-525-65198-5
Mimi's Tutu
Tynia Thomassie
Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Mimi goes with her mother to an African dance class. Sometimes she is allowed to dance with her mother. When another child wears a tutu, Mimi longs for a tutu just like it. Instead, she receives a lapa, which her grandmother says celebrates her ancestry. The colorful illustrations enhance this story of an extended family and their traditions. 1996, Scholastic, Ages 5 to 7, $14.95. Reviewer: Rae Valabek
ISBN: 0-614-15759-5
Moaning Bones, African-American Ghost Stories
Jim Haskins
Illustrated by Felicia Marshall
Almost everyone enjoys hearing a good ghost story. In this collection of 17 spooky tales, you will meet a variety of eerie creatures such as the Ghost Calf, Old Hy-Ty, the Ghost in the Backseat, and Old Moccasin's ghost, to name but a few. In these traditional folk tales, retold in read-aloud style, you'll visit a haunted steamship, a majestic plantation farmhouse, and the Lake of the Dead. These stories are all short and easy reads, with nice black and white illustrations. Don't worry-they're more fun than scary, and suitable for younger children. 1998, Lothrop Lee Shepard/Morrow Junior Books, Ages 7 up, $15.00. Reviewer: Christopher Moning
ISBN: 0-688-16021-2
Money Troubles
Bill Cosby
Illustrated by Varnette P. Honeywood
Little Bill wants to become famous by discovering a comet and having it named after him. But first he needs money to buy a telescope. Readers will enjoy Little Bill's ingenuity as they join him in various money-making escapades in this selection in the Little Bill series of Books for Beginning Readers. Bold and bright illustrations accompany the delightful text, which has a social message to convey. Little Bill becomes famous, but not in the way he had intended when he set out to discover a comet. 1998, Cartwheel Books/Scholastic Inc., Ages 5 to 10, $3.99. Reviewer: Jeanne K. Pettenati
ISBN: 0-590-16402-3
ISBN: 0-590-95623-X
Poppa's New Pants
Angela Shef Medearis
Illustrated by John Ward
Gentle realistic paintings depict this adaptation of the thematic form "who put the pepper in the pepper pot." While at the general store, George, an African-American boy, and his father purchase a pair of plaid pants. Realizing they are too long, Poppa hopes someone will have time to shorten the pants for him before church the next day. However, the women of the household are busy. Later while George is sleeping, he sees ghostly figures slip past. Oh poppa's pants do get shortened, but with unforeseen consequences. The illustrations portray a warm and caring multi-generational household. 1995, Holiday, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Judith Gravitz
ISBN: 0-8234-1155-9
The Pasteboard Bandit
Arna Bontemps and Langston Hughes
Illustrations by Peggy Turley
African-American writers Bontemps and Hughes wrote several children's books together, but this one was never published. It's an endearing, low-key story of Juanito, a small-town Mexican boy who befriends a newcomer, an American youngster named Kenny. The two have simple but satisfying adventures, often accompanied by a pasteboard bandit figurine named Tito. The authors write with a child's sense of wonder, making the book a good choice for a read-aloud or a chapter-a-night bedtime story. Chances are, your kids will ask you to keep reading. 1997, Oxford University Press, $15.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Donna Freedman
ISBN: 0-19-511476-0
Promise Me the Moon
Joyce Annette Barnes
Annie Armstrong, heroine of The Baby Grand, the Moon in July, and Me,. is 13 in this sequel. Her African American community is as close-knit as ever, and her ambition to be an astronaut has not changed. Everything else has. Her boyfriend is drifting away from her. Girlfriends talk of nothing but boys and makeup. Algebra is a drag. And Annie is the only girl in her Enriched Science class. When a teacher urges her to apply to a school for gifted students, Annie is torn. Boys don't like eggheads; besides, she wants to stay with her friends. But she'll need a topflight education to become an astronaut-if her goal is possible for a girl in the early 1970s. She's not even sure the school will accept her. Annie's first-person, present-tense narrative was a gutsy choice, but it works; she's funny, touching, and utterly real. Readers will cheer as she faces tough choices, makes mistakes, and learns what it means to follow a dream. 1997, Dial Books, Ages 10 up, $14.99. Reviewer: Catherine Petrini
ISBN: 1-577-96011-4
Rainbow Joe and Me
Maria Diaz Strom
Bright, child-like acrylic paintings and a brief text celebrate the joy of creating colors, whether it is through the medium of making pictures with paints and paper, or by playing colorful musical notes on the saxophone. Young Eloise's elderly, blind friend, Joe, tells her that he too can imagine and mix a rainbow of colors, and eventually proves it by creating music that evokes many colors. 1999, Lee & Low, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan
Raven in a Dove House
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Pinkney writes about a tumultuous time in a small New York town through the eyes of 12-year-old Nell Grady. As she has for the last six summers, Nell has come to visit her Moline family, but things aren't as calm as they've been in the past. Aunt Ursa is smothering her son with love, cousin Foley is yearning to make a break for the big city, and his friend Slade plans for the boys to sell guns (the "ravens" of the title) to get the money they'll need in the city. Nell becomes an unwilling accomplice and helps to conceal the weapons from her unsuspecting aunt. Then, tragedy strikes, forcing all involved to come to some startling and long-overdue conclusions about life and love. Pinkney's novel is truly a tribute to goodness of family. Her descriptions of home cooking and family love are vivid; the text is alive with sensation. 1998, Gulliver Books, Ages 11 to 14, $16.00. Reviewer: Heidi Green
ISBN: 0-15-201461-6
Running Girl: The Diary of Ebonee Rose
Sharon Bell Mathis
"Because trails were opened for us, we run" (p.11). Ebonee Rose is an eleven-year old runner as well as an encyclopedia of track and field facts. E.R., as she is often called, can reveal numerous details about the greatest African American women runners, such as Jackie Joyner Kersee and Wilma Randolph. Filled with poetry, pictures, personal inspirations, and the private memoirs of ER, she teaches us through her trials and triumphs about overcoming adversity. She also teaches us about teamwork and friendship. Uniquely written and rewarding. 1997, Browndeer Press, Ages 10 and Up, $17.00. Reviewer: Shree van Vreede
ISBN: 0-15-200674-5
Serena Williams
Michael Bradley
Tough, strong, fun-loving, and a world champion--Serena Williams (and her sister Venus) opened the doors of the elite world of tennis to black youngsters, especially black girls, everywhere. Like all the other athletes portrayed in Bradley's "Benchmark All-stars" series, Serena has plenty of talent, as well as a ferocious work ethic and will to win. Serena was smart, creative, and interested in all kinds of things. But once she decided she wanted to be #1 in the tennis world, she gave up most of her outside interests. Serena put in plenty of effort, and although there was no instant rise to stardom, her hard work certainly paid off. In 2002 when she was just 21 years old, she had amassed enough wins and product endorsements to earn $4 million, more than any other woman in the history of tennis. The book has a series of excellent photographs that show a fun-loving and affectionate Serena, an intense Serena on the court, but most especially a wonderfully muscular Serena as she reaches and runs and smashes her way to the top. There are interesting and informative sidebars, a statistics page, an index, and a glossary, to round out this little gem of a sports biography. Bradley has figured out a great way to get sports-minded youngsters to read--give them their favorite stars in full color, add warm and lively text, and spread interesting extras throughout. It seems to work for the entire series. 2005, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, $18.95. Ages 9 to 12. Dawn Elizabeth Hunt (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7614-1760-5
Singing Black
Mari Evans
Illustrated by Ramon Price
Kofi is a little boy who is strong, beautiful, fast, and black. Kali is a little girl who learns from her mother about places that she has never seen. Chris has a brother who thinks with his head, while Chris thinks with his fist. These are just some of the people you will meet in this poetry book designed to instill pride of heritage in the African American family. The poems introduce relationships and places with which African American children will identify. The drawings are all done in black and white, and the verses are written so that very early readers will be able to read along with parents. The author released this book in 1978 to present bright images of friendship, family, and to encourage positive self-esteem. It is a welcome addition to the nursery rhyme collection, and would be an excellent addition to the elementary classroom. 1998 (orig. 1978), Just Us Books, Ages 10 to 14, $4.95. Reviewer: Joyce Rice
ISBN: 0-940975-80-7
Sister Anne's Hands
Marybeth Lorbiecki
Illustrated by K. Wendy Popp
When seven-year-old Anna overhears her parents talking about her new teacher, wondering "how a woman of her color is going to survive," she wonders what color her teacher will be. "Purple? Green? Orange?" But when she arrives at her 1960s parochial school for the first day of second grade, she meets Sister Anne, who has the darkest skin she has ever seen. Sister Anne loves jokes and stories, and proves to be the most fun of any teacher Anna has ever had. When one of Anna's classmates makes a mean comment about the nun's color, Sister Anne decides it is time to educate her class about racism. Popp's beautifully rendered pastel illustrations place the book in a slightly sentimentalized past even as the text acknowledges the problems of segregation. Sister Anne herself appears unnaturally serene in each illustration, more like a statue than the lively teacher the text describes. However, the parochial school setting and gentle introduction to the civil rights struggle make this book a unique offering. 1998, Dial, Ages 5 up, $15.99. Reviewer: Kathleen Kelly
ISBN: 0-8037-2038-6
A Street Called Home
Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson
Robinson has captured the vibrant 1940's life of the African American population of Mount Vernon Avenue in Columbus, Ohio using brilliant, eye-catching illustrations that do not leave any space untouched.. Done with lift-the-flaps, this accordion style books folds out to reveal the many busy characters that can be found walking up and down the bustling, crowded avenue trying to make a living by buying, selling, and bartering and proving that "Everything you could need you find on Mount Vernon Avenue.." To name a few, you will find the Brownyskin man, the Chickenfoot woman and the Ragman offering their goods and services. Once you find them, you need to lift the flaps to find out exactly what it is that they do. Robinson's attempt to show us what life was actually like at that place and at that time provides a wonderful history lesson that is sure to keep readers exploring A Street Called Home. 1997, Harcourt Brace, Ages 4 to 8, $18.00. Reviewer: Trina Heidt
ISBN: 0-15-201465-9
Strong Force: The Story of Physicist Shirley Ann Jackson
Diane O'Connell
A new biography series, Women's Adventures in Science, highlights the careers of contemporary women scientists and social scientists and the varied paths, often obstacle-strewn, that resulted in their successful careers. Their life stories are enlivened with photos and very personal recollections, as well as an overview of their areas of research. Throughout, the aim of the biographer is to show these women as real people, with real personalities, challenges, disappointments, and decisions. The series aims to inspire young women to work to follow their dreams and to be passionate about their interests, particularly in the world of science. Strong Force tells the life story of Shirley Ann Jackson, physicist, who was born in Washington, D.C., in 1946 and who attended a segregated school until the third grade. Smart, focused, and driven by keen intellectual curiosity, she was admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology only to experience segregation imposed on her by her white classmates. A few mentoring professors, the inspiration of Martin Luther King Jr., and her own huge inner strength helped her stay at MIT and to become a leader for other black students at the school. A PhD in physics followed, making her the first African American woman to receive a PhD from MIT. Currently president of Rennselear Polytechnic Institute, Jackson has also served as president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. (Women's Adventures in Science) VOYA CODES: 4Q 2P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2005, Franklin Watts, 128p.; Glossary. Index. Illus. Photos. Biblio. Further Reading. Chronology., PLB $31. Ages 12 to 18. Reviewer: Rayna Patton (VOYA, December 2005 (Vol. 28, No. 5)).
ISBN: 0-531-16784-4
Under the Breadfruit Tree
Monica Gunning
Illustrated by Fabricio Vanden Broeck
In these 36 poems the author paints a portrait of her childhood in Jamaica. Her language conveys a gentle Island inhabited by people who look out for each other in the true sense of community. This is especially evident in One Hand Washes the Other. Characters come to life through a child's eyes; and we meet loving Grandma, generous Aunt Mae, mean old Aunt Aggie, graceful Stella-Sue, storyteller Nana, and a host of others. Her keen observances go to the heart of the matter. Distinctive black and white sketches enhance the musical text. 1998, Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press, Inc., Ages 6 to 12, $15.95. Reviewer: Jeanne K. Pettenati
ISBN: 1-56397-539-4
Venus and Serena Williams
Galadriel Watson
Venus and Serena Williams started their tennis career when their father decided to learn about tennis so he could coach them. After practicing on weed-covered, cracked tennis courts, the girls eventually became too good for their father to coach them. This information-packed book talks about the girls' tennis careers including the start of their career, overcoming obstacles, and includes a time line of their lives and special achievements. The book also covers other random information about their lives including information about the state of California, exercises to improve tennis skills, the history of tennis, and preparation for playing tennis. The fun layouts and colorful pictures in this book make tennis interesting and exciting. Recent and historical pictures of the two Williams sisters are scattered throughout the book. Their inspiring story is one of dedication and work rather than one of wealth and prestige. This book can be inspirational for aspiring tennis players, especially young African-American girls. 2006, Weigl Publishers, $26.00. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Nicole Peterson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1590363329
ISBN: 1590363388
We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Pact Helped Us Succeed
The Three Doctors (Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt); with Sharon M. Draper
Three inner-city youngsters find that their dreams can come true when they make a pact to become doctors. In this semi-autobiographical book, doctors Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt tell the story of how they escaped drugs and despair in Newark, New Jersey and became highly-respected professionals who are now giving back to the very communities where they grew up. Davis and Hunt, for example, were exceptionally bright students, but often found themselves hanging out with the wrong crowd. They fell prey to the streets and found themselves in trouble with the law, but through a series of lucky coincidences, they were spared going to prison. Eventually, they came to understand some life lessons and they used them as motivation to change their lives. At times poignant and sad, the stories are ultimately inspirational and are a must-read for kids from all walks of life. Of particular interest are the interviews with the doctors that appear at the end of each life story. In these interviews they talk candidly of their trials and then try to encourage young people to find the lesson being taught and apply it in their own lives. Regardless of the reader's life experiences, something positive can be gleaned from this honest look at the lives of these modern-day heroes. 2005, Dutton Children's Books/Penguin Group, $16.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Tom Jones (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-525-47407-2
The Werewolf of PS 40
Dwayne J. Ferguson
In this second entry in the "Kid Caramel: Private Investigator" series, intrepid African American junior detective Kid Caramel and his trusty sidekick Earnie team up with Scottish exchange student Kayin to solve the mystery of several missing pets and one weird and furry town visitor. A large fang is their first clue, and the school janitor becomes their prime suspect. Though the story is short (a scant 64 pages), the plot drags and the holes in the mystery remain unfilled even at the end. Shoddy editing mars the text, as the same mistakes appear several times throughout (the most egregious of these is the repetition of such phrases as "the werewolf threw back it's head"). The setting is a bizarre combination of big city and small town, and it is unclear just how many of Kid Caramel's "super powers" are supposed to be real and how many are his own exaggerations. While the attempt to broaden the field of multicultural mystery series is admirable, this effort is definitely lacking. 1998, Just Us Books, Ages 8 to 12, $4.50. Reviewer: Kathleen Kelly
ISBN: 0-940975-82-3
Wild, Wild Hair
Nikki Grimes
Illustrated by George Ford
Is there a woman alive who has always been satisfied with her hair? Tisa's hair is wild-but her mother knows just how to braid it into twenty thick braids! Now Tisa's finally happy. Charming pictures show the warmth in this family. A read-it-alone book in rhyme.1997, Scholastic, Ages 6 to 8, 3.50. Reviewer: Judy Silverman
ISBN 0-590-26590-3
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