Children's Literature
Growing up in segregated America of the early 1900s, Paul Robeson experienced prejudice firsthand. A good student and athlete, Paul was invited to attend Rutgers College on a scholarship. He played football despite prejudicial acts against him, but he also excelled in his studies. After completing his undergraduate degree, Paul completed his law degree, but left the profession when he realized that as a black American he would not receive fair treatment. Disillusioned, Paul and his wife moved to Europe where Paul became a successful actor and vocalist. In post World War II America, Paul spoke out against the unjust treatment of African Americans and was "black-listed" by anti-Communist politicians. His international travel was banned for several years, but in 1958, Paul won his court case against the ban and was allowed to travel once again. His fight for just treatment for his fellow African Americans made him a champion of civil rights. The McKissacks have given Robeson a voice and a presence among the great African American freedom fighters. This revised edition, generously illustrated with black-and-white photographs, is part of the series, "Great African Americans" and contains a table of contents, a timeline of important events, a glossary, further readings and an index. 2001 (orig. 1992), Enslow, $14.95. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: J. B. Petty
School Library Journal
Gr 2-5-These revised titles have a more appealing format than the originals. Many of the captioned black-and-white photographs have been replaced with more artistic shots, and other photos now take the place of unappealing line drawings. A few factual updates were noted. The books feature large print and bold chapter headings. New material includes brief lists of further reading and Internet addresses, and time lines. The changes to these editions are not sufficient to warrant purchase for those libraries that have the 1992 titles, but will serve as additional purchases for those that don't.-Eunice Weech, M. L. King Elementary School, Urbana, IL Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 3-- Two biographies that are brief, informative, and fill a need for materials on noted African-Americans for primary-grade readers. Both touch on the childhood, education, careers, and family life of these men. Their determination to achieve and the obstacles they had to overcome are emphasized. Black-and-white photographs, usually from their adult years, appear throughout. Some of the captions in Robeson are short on details. (One photo shows Robeson receiving an award in France, but the caption does not give a date, the reason for the award, or the name of the man presenting it.) Hazy, undistinguished pencil drawings illustrate the subject's early years in Washington ; the pen-and-ink drawings in Robeson are far more expressive. However, in the glossary of that book, the authors define words such as `"slave'' and "concert,'' but then they use the term "Allies'' in a definition of World War II and do not explain who the Allies were. These comments aside, the books will find an eager audience among beginning readers because of their bold, easy-to-read texts, wide margins, and short chapters. --Laura Culberg, Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago
