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54th out of 103 books
—
4 voters
The Beatitudes: From Slavery to Civil Rights
With the text of the biblical Beatitudes as an undercurrent, the story of the civil rights movement is told in lyrical text and stirring illustrations.
Hardcover, 36 pages
Published
November 13th 2009
by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
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Gorgeous book. I love Tim Ladwig's Psalm 23. Here again he combines spiritual truth with stunning artwork that affirms African-American culture. This book is a summary of significant points of history from slavery to President Obama with the theme of God's presence in the midst of it all. Jesus' words run across the bottom of the page, linking theological principles to concrete examples. "The poor in spirit" appears on the page of kidnapped Africans taken to America as slaves. "Persecuted for ri...more
Weatherford's message: From the earliest days of slavery and the fight for civil rights, God was with His people. He was with the slaves on the ships leaving Africa, He was with Mary McLeod Bethune as she worked to educate young people, and He will be with our children, "standing on the side of justice". The words of Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount provide an undercurrent of meaning, leading the readers thoughts from the beginning, reminding them of the spiritual nature of the battle for...more
This inspiring picture book for all ages uses the Beatitudes--the famous lines that begin Jesus' Sermon on the Mount--as the background for a trip through African-American history, particularly as faith has influenced the quest for freedom and equal rights through different eras. Award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford uses free verse text to describe God's omnipresent role throughout the long struggle, beginning with the voyage on slave ships to America and ending with Barack Obama takin...more
Weatherford has taken Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and created a poem that follows African-American history from slavery through to the election of Barack Obama. The poem affirms that God has been with people even in slavery, during the Civil War, during the civil rights movement, and continues to be with them now. Readers will discover historical figures from various times in the book, including Rosa Parks, Emmett Till, Ruby Bridges and Martin Luther King, Jr. There are a wealth of heroes here, a...more
The Beatitudes is a remarkable picture book that pulls together the well-known biblical verses and pivotal events in African American history. Tim Ladwig's compelling illustrations and Carole Boston Weatherford's poetic and understated words carry equal weight in telling a story that begins with chained Africans in the bowels of a slave ship, and ends after Barack Obama takes the oath as president of the United States. Young readers or listeners will encounter over a dozen significant historical...more
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
2010
Carole Boston Weatherford
Tim Ladwig
32 pages
Multicultural/Picture Book
Before I write the opinion of this book, please let it be known that I am a Christian. I do work in a public school but find multiple ways to express and convey my Christianity.
This is the 3rd multi-cultural book I've read. Each has referenced some sort of religion or a religious act. Which, I have no problem with. This book begins with versus from the Bible. Again, I have no problem with th...more
2010
Carole Boston Weatherford
Tim Ladwig
32 pages
Multicultural/Picture Book
Before I write the opinion of this book, please let it be known that I am a Christian. I do work in a public school but find multiple ways to express and convey my Christianity.
This is the 3rd multi-cultural book I've read. Each has referenced some sort of religion or a religious act. Which, I have no problem with. This book begins with versus from the Bible. Again, I have no problem with th...more
A pretty, pretty book which juxtaposes the Beatitudes found in the Gospel According to Matthew with examples from thought leaders within the civil rights movement.
This may be more a gift book and lead learners will want to do reader-advisory with a title that juxtaposes the theological with the civil.
The book is not only a celebration of legacy, but a book that offers promise of hope. The individuals featured within the book include Ruby Bridges, Emmett Till, and Barack Obama.
This would make...more
This may be more a gift book and lead learners will want to do reader-advisory with a title that juxtaposes the theological with the civil.
The book is not only a celebration of legacy, but a book that offers promise of hope. The individuals featured within the book include Ruby Bridges, Emmett Till, and Barack Obama.
This would make...more
I am always looking for books to use during black history month... books that carefully and tastefully describe the battle of racial prejudice and persecution that has plagued the history of our country. This book is one that I will use with my older students who can grasp the weight of some of these issues. One of the most powerful attributes of this book is Matthew 5:3-12 running along the bottom of each page, as if to further emphasize the Lord's presence in each of these difficult situations...more
Sorry to be a party pooper, but I really didn't like this one. It started off great, but I don't think it ever reached its conclusion. Also, I think it was rather overdone. I felt like the message was being driven in rather than allowing the reader to do any thinking. The only place I see this working is in a very religious setting. I don't picture any child asking for this one to be read again. On the other hand, the artwork is absolutely lovely, so I am giving the book two stars instead of one...more
With gorgeous paintings of scenes like those captured on a slave ship, all the way to the freedom of a streamside baptism, the Biblical beatitudes follow at the bottom of each page. The text declares they were there every step of the way. For example, the text reads: “I was on the Freedom Rides and at the lunch counter sit-ins, I sat alongside the protestors.” It’s a poetic timeline to enjoy.
Another one I've had on the shelf that had not been read. Great to know it was published with Eerdmans (Grand Rapids, MI)! The book takes the beginning of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount as the backdrop for Weatherford's free verse poem. African Americans struggle/journey from slavery to Civil Rights to Barack Obama. Nicely illustrated in watercolor and pastels by Tim Ladwig.
This book uses a scripture from Matthew in the Bible and talks about how African Americans used God as their guidance out of slavery. This book goes into the different events that took place during segregation. May not be appropriate for use in the classroom though.
As soon as I stopped trying to match up each individual with a specific Beatitude, this book worked for me. And there is no denying the poignancy of the progression from slave ship at the start of the book to President Obama's swearing in at the end.
I absolutely loved this book. I loved the snippets of history it told. I love the verse that ran on the bottom of each page. I loved the changes that our country has seen.
the artist of When Daddy Prays and the author of Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom.
Beautiful illustrations, inspirational message.
Dec 06, 2011
ReadingWench
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
childrens,
picture-book,
christian,
historical,
6th-grade,
hidden-treasures,
non-fiction,
multi-cultural,
racism
This book is in the 6th grade reading level, however it is hidden in the picture book section. Having it in this section is a disservice to the book and the subject matter. If THE BEATITUDES were to reside in both the Children's and Young Adult non-fiction shelves in the library, I think it would be better utilized.
Any child or teen doing a report on religion in the African American culture whould find this book an asset. The ending of this book has a small bibliography of each of the people me...more
Any child or teen doing a report on religion in the African American culture whould find this book an asset. The ending of this book has a small bibliography of each of the people me...more
Very inspirational.
The Beatitudes are shown against the backdrop of the African American, from slavery to present day.
How their Faith bolstered the African American struggle for equality during their struggle for freedom and civil rights. Grades 2-4.
Beautiful book with brief biographies of the remarkable people mentioned in the book. Children and adults will love it!
May 15, 2013
Donna Wiggins
marked it as to-read
Apr 03, 2013
Lizziepeps
marked it as to-read
Feb 23, 2013
Igraine
marked it as auf-gar-keinen-fall
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Aug 13, 2012 05:26am