Great African Americans in the arts

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6--Each of these attractive series titles has 13 entries that introduce people in the field. Both have full-color photographs; boxes that summarize pertinent information; and effective use of borders, captions, and white space. The brief biographical sketches, ranging in length from three to six pages, will be useful for selecting a research topic, as introductory reference material, and for recreational browsing. Arts gives a brief look at past and contemporary figures who overcame obstacles to make contributions in a wide range of artistic endeavors. Personalities include Alvin Ailey, dancer and choreographer; Marian Anderson, singer; Clementine Hunter, folk painter; Gordon Parks, photographer; Ntozake Shange, playwright and poet; Jackie Torrence, storyteller; August Wilson, playwright; and six others. Film introduces early stars such as Hattie McDaniel, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of "Mammy" in Gone with the Wind, as well as contemporary personalities including Cicely Tyson, Will Smith, and Denzel Washington. The emphasis is on positive contributions but struggles are briefly mentioned.--Adele Greenlee, Bethel College, St. Paul, MN