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48 pp.
| Candlewick
| October, 2020
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-7994-1$17.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Richie Pope.
Mary Seacole was raised by a Jamaican Creole mother who taught her herbal medicine and a Scottish soldier father whose stories inspired her to see the world. After using her skills during a cholera outbreak, Seacole is determined to volunteer as a nurse in the Crimean War, but first in London and then again on the battlefield she is turned away--by Florence Nightingale herself--because of her skin color. But Mary Seacole is not easily stopped, and she becomes a familiar sight welcoming people to her guest house/hospital and bringing her supplies to the battlefield, where she becomes known as Mother Seacole and eventually gains fame when a British journalist tells her story. Rubin sprinkles Seacole's own words throughout the book, bringing in some of her larger-than-life personality. The text is longer than a typical picture-book biography, making this a good choice for readers who may be ready for but intimidated by chapter-book biographies. Pope's illustrations have the difficult job of showing the devastating circumstances Seacole often finds herself in as a battlefield nurse, and his soft, cartoony watercolors deftly walk that line. Back matter includes source notes and a brief bibliography.
Reviewer: Laura Koenig
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2021
24 pp.
| Child's
| August, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1503820005$18.95
(4)
4-6
Superstar Stories series.
Each entertainer's superficially sketched biography is presented in three or four brief chapters punctuated with publicity photographs and sidebars with quotes from the subject. A page of basic background facts precedes a simple narrative covering early breaks in the field, successful milestones, and present-day stardom. "Think About It" questions are appended. There are four other fall 2017 titles in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Superstar Stories titles: Zendaya, Silentó, Jennifer Lawrence, and Pharrell Williams.
32 pp.
| Lerner
| March, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4677-0747-3$26.60
(4)
4-6
Pop Culture Bios: Action Movie Stars series.
Color photographs presented in a scrapbook-like format combine with accessible texts to present chronological biographies of six actors. Early roots, professional challenges and successes, and the breakout popularity from their roles in book-based movie blockbusters provide little new information, but young fans will pore over the well-captioned pictures and abundant trivia facts. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Pop Culture Bio titles: Zoe Kravitz, Jennifer Lawrence, Taylor Lautner, Booboo Stewart, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth.
104 pp.
| Enslow
| January, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3993-3$26.60 New ed. (2006)
(4)
YA
African-American Icons series.
These accessible, simplistic biographies trace the lives of contemporary African American leaders in the arts. The uncomplicated prose may appeal to report writers who are also reluctant readers. While the books' original design was uninspired, it did include plenty of photos--which these new editions have oddly omitted. Discography (Smith), filmography (Berry; Smith). Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Icons titles: Maya Angelou, Walter Dean Myers, Toni Morrison, Halle Berry, Will Smith, and Oprah Winfrey.
(4)
4-6
Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers series.
These biracial (or multiracial) achievers are revealed through their backgrounds, goals, accomplishments, and obstacles overcome. Parks and Du Bois are examined against the historical context of racial inequality and injustice, the others in light of contemporary struggles. The pages, jam-packed with pull-quotes, sidebars, and crisp photographs, are difficult to navigate. There are seven other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers titles: David Blaine, Rosa Parks, Alicia Keys, Prince, Soledad O'Brien, and W. E. B. Du Bois.
(4)
4-6
Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers series.
These biracial (or multiracial) achievers are revealed through their backgrounds, goals, accomplishments, and obstacles overcome. Parks and Du Bois are examined against the historical context of racial inequality and injustice, the others in light of contemporary struggles. The pages, jam-packed with pull-quotes, sidebars, and crisp photographs, are difficult to navigate. There are seven other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers titles: David Blaine, Rosa Parks, Alicia Keys, Prince, Soledad O'Brien, and W. E. B. Du Bois.
(4)
4-6
Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers series.
These biracial (or multiracial) achievers are revealed through their backgrounds, goals, accomplishments, and obstacles overcome. Parks and Du Bois are examined against the historical context of racial inequality and injustice, the others in light of contemporary struggles. The pages, jam-packed with pull-quotes, sidebars, and crisp photographs, are difficult to navigate. There are seven other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers titles: David Blaine, Rosa Parks, Alicia Keys, Prince, Soledad O'Brien, and W. E. B. Du Bois.
32 pp.
| Farrar
| February, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-374-32225-0$16.00
(4)
K-3
Ten-year-old slave Oney appreciates that her mistress, Martha Washington, treats her well, but as she matures and her circumstances change with the times, she grows determined to become free. The subject matter is compelling, but the pages are text-heavy and the telling is rather banal. Meanwhile, the art is delicate and detailed though not especially sure-handed. Bib.
103 pp.
| Chelsea
| March, 2002
|
LibraryISBN 0-7910-5802-6$$21.95
|
PaperISBN 0-7910-5803-4$$9.95
(3)
4-6
Black Americans of Achievement series.
The civil rights activist and three prominent entertainers are profiled in readable biographies, illustrated with black-and-white photos. Though the Berry volume is somewhat padded by extraneous material, all the books successfully balance their subjects' professional achievements with their personal insights to create fully rounded portraits. Each volume contains a timeline and, when relevant, a filmography. There are four other new books in this series. Bib., ind. [Review covers these titles: Danny Glover, Queen Latifah, Al Sharpton, Halle Berry.]