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Book Bundles: Separate and Unequal
A look back at institutionalized racism in America provides valuable context for two biographies that celebrate the achievements of notable individuals who helped change perceptions about how Black “citizens could, and did, contribute to the country” (from Lewis Latimer, reviewed below). For more related books, click any of the subject tags below. Book Bundles are short weekly lists of recommended new books for a variety of age levels. Browse more Book Bundles in our Booklists Archive.
(3)
4-6
Core Library Guide to Racism in Modern America series.
Slavery may have officially ended in 1865, but as the authors clearly show in this hi-lo series entry, racism continued to be codified in this country's laws and institutions. After a contemporary example of the criminal justice system's blatantly unfair treatment of Black people, this overview traces the effects of policies and practices in employment, education, and voting laws that negatively affected African Americans--and that continue to have repercussions today. Plenty of sidebars and captioned photos reinforce concepts in the main text. A glossary and index are appended.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
(3)
K-3
Masterminds series.
Born into slavery, Carver went on to make lasting contributions to agricultural science and education; his research and crop innovations helped African American farmers survive in the early 1900s. This straightforward biography covers Carver's work and his legacy. The uncluttered page design features well-captioned color and archival black-and-white photographs that extend the information in the accessible text. A table of contents, glossary, and index give readers practice with nonfiction conventions. A reading list, websites, and a simple timeline are appended.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
(3)
4-6
Very Important People series.
Illustrated by
Daniel Duncan.
In seven chapters geared toward third and fourth graders, Patrick discusses engineer and inventor Latimer's life and work. Born in 1848 to fugitive slaves in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Latimer's remarkable career included work for Alexander Graham Bell and (indirectly) Thomas Edison. Inviting illustrations in blue and gray tones help break up the readable text. Frequent sidebars elaborate on topics in the main text (patents, the Industrial Revolution) and introduce Lewis's contemporaries (Booker T. Washington; "Other Nineteenth-Century Inventors"). The book ends with a list of Lewis's patents, a timeline, brief bios of four modern-day African American inventors, and an extensive bibliography.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
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