Overview
Nelson Mandela's autobiography, LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, offers a glimpse into the mind of a great leader, admired across the globe for his dedication to the struggles against apartheid in South Africa. Now the youngest readers can discover the remarkable story of Mandela's long walk from ordinary village boy, to his dynamic leadership of the African National Congress, to his many long years in prison-and, at last, his freedom and astonishing rise to become the leader of his country.
Synopsis
Nelson Mandela's autobiography, LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, offers a glimpse into the mind of a great leader, admired across the globe for his dedication to the struggles against apartheid in South Africa. Now the youngest readers can discover the remarkable story of Mandela's long walk from ordinary village boy, to his dynamic leadership of the African National Congress, to his many long years in prison-and, at last, his freedom and astonishing rise to become the leader of his country.
Publishers Weekly
Stories about stick fighting and sneaking out to dance halls while at university go a long way to help readers connect with the story of activist Mandela, a former president of South Africa. Born Rolihlahla, which means, interestingly, “troublemaker,” he was given the name Nelson at a mission school (“At that time, the English ruled our country, so our teacher thought we should all have English names”). As the conflict escalates into violence, events such as the Sharpeville Massacre and Mandela’s 27-year imprisonment in a cell “so tiny that when I lay down on my sleeping mat, my feet and hands could touch opposite walls” are handled deftly. Bouma’s color and sepia illustrations of Mandela are spot on, but chalky black outlines and shading sometimes obscure rather than define, and some compositions have the stiff feel of a newspaper photograph. An abridgment of his 1995 autobiography, the book ends with Mandela’s election in 1994, leaving the impact of his victory unexplored. A solid if not revolutionary resource about apartheid and Mandela’s role in its dissolution. Ages 6–up. (Sept.)
Editorials
From the Publisher
“With a large, clear map; time line; and glossary, the astonishing story will grab kids, and the parallels with the U.S. civil rights movement won’t be lost on the audience.” —Starred, Booklist“The writing is clear, providing chronological detail for even young students new to the concept and history of apartheid. Full-page, color paintings accompany the text on every spread and depict crucial moments from the narrative in a way that both complements and enhances the story.” —School Library Journal