Queen Latifah

Children's Literature

Queen Latifah is "all about overcoming adversity" to rise to stardom. Dana Owens was welcomed into her family by her parents and older brother, Winki, and knew love for much of her young life. Two events in her eighth year changed the direction of her life—she took a Muslim name, Latifah, and her parents divorced. Mrs. Owens and the children moved from their middle class apartment in Newark, NJ into the "projects." By seventh grade, Latifah was making her place in singing and dancing. In high school she was drawn into the world of rap and knew she had found her passion. She formed her own successful group, started a business to support other African-American singers, and found herself thrown into acting. She accepted acting jobs, but always wanted to go back to her love. Winki's accidental death took its toll on her, but she now gives to others to repay what Winki did for her. In the traditional "A&E biography" series format, the intrusion of single or double-spread of facts detracts from the biography. The information is helpful, but very distracting to the flow of the book. 2001, Lerner Publications, $25.26. Ages 10 to 15. Reviewer: J. B. Petty