Portraits of African-American Heroes

by Tonya Bolden, Ansel Pitcairn (Illustrations)

A portrait of a person is not just a picture but a rendering of a life. In this collection of twenty biographical essays, noted author Tonya Bolden and Ansel Pitcairn merge the visual with the analytical and paint a true rendering of these outstanding lives. The heroes range from historical to contemporary figures, from Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. Du Bois to Martin Luther King, Jr., and Gwendolyn Brooks. They represent diverse fields of endeavor, from law to athletics, science, and more. A book to inspire and teach, this is as striking as it is important.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Picture Books, African American, Historical, Childrens

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Author and publisher Tonya Wilyce Bolden was born on March 1, 1959, in New York City to Georgia Bolden, a homemaker, and Willie Bolden, a garment center shipping manager. Bolden grew up in Harlem in a musical family and loved to read; she attended Public M.E.S. 146, an elementary school in Manhattan, and then graduated from the Chapin School, a private secondary school, in Manhattan in 1976. Bolden attended Princeton University in New Jersey, and, in 1981, obtained her B.A. degree in Slavic languages and literature with a Russian focus. Bolden was also a University Scholar and received the Nicholas Bachko, Jr. Scholarship Prize.

Upon graduating from Princeton University, Bolden began working as a salesperson for Charles Alan, Incorporated, a dress manufacturer, while working towards her M.A. degree at Columbia University. In 1985, Bolden earned her degree in Slavic languages and literature, as well as a Certificate for Advanced Study of the Soviet Union from the Harriman Institute; after this she began working as an office coordinator for Raoulfilm, Inc., assisting in the research and development of various film and literary products. Bolden worked as an English instructor at Malcolm-King College and New Rochelle School of New Resources while serving as newsletter editor of the HARKline, a homeless shelter newsletter.

In 1990, Bolden wrote her first book, The Family Heirloom Cookbook. In 1992, Bolden co-authored a children’s book entitled Mama, I Want To Sing along with Vy Higginsen, based on Higginsen’s musical. Bolden continued publishing throughout the 1990s, releasing Starting a Business from your Home, Mail-Order and Direct Response, The Book of African-American Women: 150 Crusaders, Creators, and Uplifters, And Not Afraid to Dare: The Stories of Ten African-American Women, American Patriots: The Story of Blacks in the Military from the Revolution to Desert Storm and The Champ. Bolden became editor of the Quarterly Black Review of Books in 1994, and served as an editor for 33 Things Every Girl Should Know, in 1998. Bolden’s writing career became even more prolific in the following decade; a partial list of her works include:, Our Souls: A Celebration of Black American Artists, Maritcha: A Nineteenth Century American Girl, MLK: Journey of a King, Take-Off: American All-Girl Bands During World War II, and George Washington Carver, a book she authored in conjunction with an exhibit about the famous African American inventor created by The Field Museum in Chicago.

(source; http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biogr...)

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

A look at twenty African-American men and women who through self-determination, perseverance and fortitude made a difference in American society, and across the world. This book is a good jumping off point for research into the lives of these great Americans.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book dedicated to the lives of heroes who changed American history! Some of the people noted, I confess to not knowing about, such as the artist Jacob Lawrence, and Matthew Henson, the son of a sharecropper who accompanied Robert Edwin Perry to the North Pole!

Of course Martin Luther King, Jr. is highlighted as well as Shirley Chisolm, the first black woman who sought to be a major party's presidential candidate. Though she was not successful in this endeavor, she encouraged other people of color to get further involved in politic so they could have a say in legislation that impacted their lives.

I confess to not knowing about Gwendolyn Brooks, a widely read poet who was a member of the New Negro movement of the 1920's of which the Harlem African centered artistic and political activity , of which the Harlem Renaissance was a part.

Highlighted in the book are many well-known African American members such as Thurgood Marshall, Satchel Paige, Joe Lewis, Paul Robeson, Bessie Coleman, Malcolm X, Dizzy Gillespie, and a host of others.

I highly recommend this book! The writing and the incredible illustrations make this a five- star read.

[Marina Iosub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este o carte interesantă care prezintă personalități aflate în avangarda luptei pentru drepturile afro-americanilor din SUA. Volumul oferă portrete ale unor oameni care au contribuit semnificativ la schimbări sociale și politice, iar mulți dintre ei au susținut nu doar drepturile comunității de culoare, ci egalitatea în sens larg — pentru femei și bărbați, indiferent de rasă, religie sau gen. Cartea are meritul de a aduce în prim-plan figuri inspiraționale și de a face accesibilă istoria activismului pentru drepturi civile. Totuși, am avut impresia că selecția ar fi putut fi mai amplă, deoarece există mult mai multe personalități care au contribuit la această luptă și care ar fi meritat menționate.

[Andrea Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is also another informational book that shares biographical reviews of african american heroes. the biographies are spaced within three pages for each person, so unlike some of the other biography books I listed, it goes into more detail. This is a great seg way to assigning research topics for something like black history month. I would use this with upper elementary to middle school students.
I gave it 4 stars because it is a great resource for accurate information. Tonya Bolden is a great african american author who has a hug influence on young black readers. This is a great book with painting inspired illustrations.

[Tanaia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author and illustrator has done a great jib with explaining and pictures in the book. The Author did a good job with explaining the people in the book. The type of detail in the book is nice because this could be useful for a project or getting to know the people in the book. Also it includes men and women which is good because sometimes there is separate books with the men or women in the past. The book got 4 starts because it is very informative and nice for the children to know these things but the pages are a little long.

[Mary Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing, as it provides multiple African American Heroes in our histories such as W.E.B Du Bois, Bessie Coleman, and Martin Luther King Jr. Also, another great way to incorporate this book would be during black history month. Overall, this book is great to have in a classroom. Students will have the opportunity to learn more about these African American Heroes.

[Joe Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each portrait has a picture and short story that tells about the life of that person. Both stories and pictures work together to make this an excellent read for young-adults.

At a time where heroes are torn down or smeared, it is refreshing to see heroes celebrated. We need more like this.

[Brenda Roche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well done. Beautiful illustrations of each person. Several I hadn't heard of. It's a juvenile book, but I still enjoyed each short highlight of each incredible person. Every child, preteen should read!!

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful little children's book of American Heroes. I learned so much about incredible people my primary education denied me and am so happy to add this little treasure to my library.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book, it was a wonderful quick read.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice selection of people. Not a fan of the typeface, though.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Brought awareness to less common influential Black Americans.
Written for kids but relatable to adults.

[Elizabeth Lamantia]

Reviewed by: Elizabeth LaMantia
Format: Biographical Reference
Item Title (APA Style): Pitcairn, A., & Bolden, T. (2003). Portraits of African-American heroes. Dutton Children's Books. Call number: J920 BOLD
Reviewed in: Jones, T. E., Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., Larkins, J., & Oluonye, M. N. (2004). Portraits of African-American Heroes (Book). School Library Journal, 50(1), 140-142.
Price: $18.99
Description:
Book of biographies of 20 African-Americans.
Relevance and Relationship:
This book would be appropriate for the collection analyzed during my field experience because it is appropriate for an elementary school. It would also be good for diversity. Teachers cover a history of African-Americans in their curriculum and this book would be appropriate for that. It would also be appropriate for students that wish to learn more about famous African-Americans. Includes African-Americans from diverse occupations. It is affordable.
Purpose:
This book contains biographies of 20 famous African-Americans from current day to others from the past. It includes pictures as well. Its purpose is to inform.
Validity:
This book has been reviewed by School Library Journal and Booklist.
Format: This book is in print.
Arrangement and Presentation:
This book contains 88 pages including illustrations. Includes full page portraits along with quotes from those featured in the book.
Diversity:
This book is available in English. It is appropriate for upper elementary thru middle school. It is appropriate for all students. It discusses specifically, African-Americans.

[Anthony Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Twenty of the most influential African Americans are highlighted in this illustrated picture book of real-life heroes not only for African Americans,but for all Americans.The words and illustrations of the legacies and lives of these twenty icons are intended to inspire future generations while giving a brief history lesson on the trials and tribulations of American history.

Response: The great Negro league and twentieth century's first black pitcher, Satchel Paige once said," I was just as good as the white boys. I ain't going in the back door of the Hall of Fame." This was in response to the 1971 initial proposal to the Hall of Fame to put Negro League players in a separate wing. This was the theme i felt during every turn of the page of this book. All twenty of the people highlighted in this book were all remarkable individuals who faced racism and fought to not be separate but equal. They wanted to be included and equal. Every great person had a great story of achieving and inspiring generations.

Classroom connection: My son just participated in an event sponsored by the Lansing,Illinois school district. It started during Black History month, during which he was assigned a famous person in African American history. He did a poster board and brief history of his assigned person. After getting an 'A' on his assignment, my son got to dress up as that person and take part in a display of famous people of all races at a district sponsored event. My son's assignment was Nat King Cole. He dressed up as Nat King Cole and answered questions about him based on his research. The event was put on by the students and the kids, parents, and teachers loved it!

Text complexity: Interest level for this book is 6th to 8th grade. Lexile measure is 1140L. Grade level equivalent is 9.0 It's safe to say that this book is geared toward kids in junior high up to high school.

[Troy Fanton]

4 Copies

[Leah Koch]

This collection of biographies will be great either during Black History Month or during any diversity discussions. Not only does the book discuss great African-American people, it teaches history and what a biography is.

[Hadassah Zenor-Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Portraits of African-American Heroes is a non-fiction book about all different AA heroes. From Fredrick Douglas to Bessie Coleman to Dizzy Gillespie. This book is a great book for ANYONE who wants to know about different AA public figures and more!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. As a teacher I would find a date that each person was important on and read them the persons short bio. Great book, cool pictures!

[Yadira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book to use to learn about other important people including MLK