Denzel Washington

Children's Literature - Tina Hudak

Even though this famous actor is relatively young, this biography documents many events of interest for readers. His family and educational backgrounds and his rise within the movie and television industries are followed in a clear narrative style. What makes this book special is the inclusion of Washington's personal feelings and comments throughout his story. He stresses the importance which family life has played in his own development and struggles. As part of the ongoing series this one follows the familiar pattern. Six chapters are the main focus with "Glossary," "Bibliography," and "Index" included. In addition to the chronology of the book itself, there is an "Important Dates" section summarizing his life in one page. Color photographs greet the reader every two pages, visually enhancing the writer's descriptive writing. This is an important book because it is part of a series of literature which is helping to establish positive models of people from previously ignored or even denigrated races and gender. Teachers and parents will find this a good resource for their students and children, for academic and personal reasons. Part of the "Contemporary Afro-Americans' series.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6Three average-quality selections that focus on the achievements of well-known African Americans. Wynton Marsalis includes little on the musician's early years. The choppy, repetitive text focuses primarily on jazz, and on Marsalis's thoughts about music. Toni Morrison has the best organization of the three. It includes an interesting portrayal of Morrison's ancestors, commentary on the strong sense of community she experienced in her childhood, her work as a teacher and editor, her development as a writer, and her winning the Nobel Prize for Literature. Denzel Washington chronicles the life of the actor, beginning with his difficult childhood in Mt. Vernon, NY, through his ascent to stardom and his charity work. The text is dry at times, but well organized. In all of the books, potentially unfamiliar words appear in bold type; the choice of which terms to highlight is questionable; e.g., "novels" is, but "trilogy" is not. A mix of full-color and black-and-white photos appears throughout the books, and the covers are eye-catching. The "Black Americans of Achievement" series (Chelsea House) offers more detailed biographies but are on a slightly higher reading level.Lucy Rafael, The Center for Early Education, West Hollywood, CA