Children's Literature Comprehensive Database - Sheilah Egan
A young man hungry for knowledge--even as a slave Booker wanted to study and learn everything he could. After the Civil War, his family walked to West Virginia where he worked at a salt furnace in the early mornings so that he could be at the recently opened “school for black children” by 9:00 am. His education continued at Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in VA. Upon graduation in 1875 he became a teacher. In 1881 he became the principal of the Tuskegee Normal School for Teachers, which would grow into the school now named Tuskegee University. Detailing the difficulties for African-Americans seeking education in this difficult time in U.S. history, this book gives us the shining example of a man dedicated to helping others learn. He felt that African-Americans could earn respect and a place in the community at large through education. In order to raise money to improve and create new schools, he gave speeches all over the country, becoming a powerful spokesperson for all African-Americans. His autobiography, Up From Slavery, is a testament to his own courage, intellect, and fortitude. Despite his untimely death at age fifty-nine, Booker T. Washington was a leader who paved the way for education and civil rights for all African-Americans. The illustrations have a strong sense of line; they use black outlines to accent the people portrayed, which complements the text well. Written in simple, straightforward language, this book will be an excellent addition for all libraries in meeting the needs of elementary children. The time line at the end is accompanied by a glossary, some “Did you know?” facts, book titles, a FactHound Web site, and an index.
January 1, 2008MBR Bookwatch/The Midwest Book Review - Vicki Arkoff
Four new Picture Window biographies have been published for the elementary school and library market to meet standards in history for grades kindergarten to four. The result are four basic primers inviting young readers to take a fresh look in to the fascinating lives of such famous Americans as Marie Curie, Thomas Jefferson, Jackie Robinson, and Booker T. Washington. All books in the Picture Window biography series include glossary, index, timelines, and fun facts in a simple style for beginning-readers and new researchers.
April 1, 2008
