The Horn Book Guide

LITERATURE

Currie, Stephen

African American Literature

112 pp. | Lucent | August, 2011 | Library ISBN 978-1-4205-0383-8 $33.45

(4) YA Lucent Library of Black History series. Currie's survey begins with "The Oral Tradition and the First Black Writers: 1600–1800" then continues through the Civil War and Reconstruction, Harlem Renaissance, civil rights era, and up to contemporary times. Particular attention is given to historical, social, and political contexts and challenges faced by the writers. The text is dense but informative. Illustrations and photographs break up the pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz