Book of Black Heroes From A to Z

by Wade Hudson, Valerie Wilson Wesley

The age range for this book is 8-12.

NEW EDITION From science to politics, civil rights to entertainment, historic times to present day, men and women across the African diaspora have made important contributions to our world. Book of Black Heroes from A to Z shares with young readers the stories 54 pioneers whose courage, strength and lasting accomplishments have earned them the title hero. Read Arctic explorer Matthew Henson South African human rights advocate Nelson Mandela Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson Pioneering Black historian Benjamin Quarles Discover Jackie Robinson integrated Major League Baseball Richard Allen went from enslavement to co-founder and Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Jean Baptiste DuSable, a Haiti-born fur trader, founded the city of Chicago Constance Baker Motley helped James Meredith become the first black person to go to the University of Mississippi First published in 1988 and with more than 400,000 copies in print, Book of Black Heroes from A to Z has become a go to black history staple in classrooms, homes and libraries. This updated edition includes expanded biographies, quotes and factoids, a two-page narrative honoring the 150th anniversary of the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation and several new entries including a profile of President Barack Obama, the first African American elected President of the United States. Whether their names are familiar or new, the journeys and many achievements of Book of Black Heroes honorees are truly inspiring and can help all children realize that even in the face of obstacles, they too can make important contributions to our world.

Genres: Biography, History

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

Wade Hudson is the author of nearly 30 books for children and Young adults. He and his wife Cheryl are the founders of Just Us Books, Inc., a leading publisher of multicultural books for children.

Reviews

[B. P. Rinehart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another children's book from my childhood that was intended to inspire interest in historical Black figures. Most of what I wrote in my review of Book of Black Heroes: Great Women in the Struggle applies here (of course with the fact that men ans well as women are featured here. The one curious thing about this book that distinguishes it from other books on African-American history/culture that I read as a child is that it is still in print. In fact the latest edition was published in 2013 so you can actually find this around get a taste of what I read growing up!

My edition is paperback.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and loved this book. What I especially liked about it is that Hudson and Wesley have chosen from a wide range, including many that are not usually widely written about. It is a great book to have in a classroom library.

[Niko Doss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it , it teaches me about my fellow Africans.