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A Plan for the People: Nelson Mandela’s Hope for His Nation
As Nelson Mandela lived and worked under the unjust system of apartheid, his desire for freedom grew. South Africa separated people by races, oppressing the country’s non-white citizens with abusive laws and cruel restrictions. Every day filled Mandela with grief and anger. But he also had hope—hope for a nation that belonged to everyone who lived in it.
From his work with the African National Congress, to his imprisonment on Robben Island, to his extraordinary rise to the presidency, Nelson Mandela was a rallying force against injustice. This stirring biography explores Mandela’s long fight for equality and the courage that propelled him through decades of struggle. Illustrated in the bold, bright colors of South Africa, A Plan for the People captures the spirit of a leader beloved around the world.
From his work with the African National Congress, to his imprisonment on Robben Island, to his extraordinary rise to the presidency, Nelson Mandela was a rallying force against injustice. This stirring biography explores Mandela’s long fight for equality and the courage that propelled him through decades of struggle. Illustrated in the bold, bright colors of South Africa, A Plan for the People captures the spirit of a leader beloved around the world.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published March 30, 2021
About the author
Lindsey McDivitt
6 books8 followersLindsey McDivitt has spent most of her life near the Mississippi River or the Great Lakes. She loves searching the shore for shells or stones, especially agates, and gazing up into tall trees, especially white pines. After eight years exploring marvelous Michigan, she now lives in Minnesota.
Lindsey began writing books for children after many years creating health education programs for stroke survivors. You can find Lindsey at www.lindseymcdivitt.com where she highlights picture books with older role models and accurate images of aging on her blog "A is for Aging."
Lindsey began writing books for children after many years creating health education programs for stroke survivors. You can find Lindsey at www.lindseymcdivitt.com where she highlights picture books with older role models and accurate images of aging on her blog "A is for Aging."
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 5, 2021
This is a solid addition to your biography collection, and it is accompanied by extensive back matter. Don't skip the author's note.
April 23, 2021
An outstanding picture book biography of the South African leader handsomely illustrated by Charly Palmer.
April 12, 2022
A beautifully illustrated book about the life of Nelson Mandela. We are a homeschooling family are are currently covering a unit on the continent of Africa. We picked this up from our local library. This book was great for all of my kids - ages 7 to 15 - as an introduction to the times and struggles of apartheid in South Africa and the importance of Mandela’s role during that time. It was also neat to read the author’s note and the resources at the back of the book were most helpful. I will definitely purchase this one for our home library.
May 8, 2021
This picture book biography about Nelson Mandela is a 3.5 for me, close to a 4. What particularly impressed me about it is how it covers his time in prison much more extensively than the other children's books about him have. There is a strong thread woven throughout the account that speaks to the notion of change. While he could have become embittered and ready to use violence against the oppressors of his people, instead, Mandela chose to educate himself and others and work for change in peaceful ways. For someone to emerge from 27 years of imprisonment still filled with hope is almost impossible to believe. The author covers Mandela's determination to fight against apartheid in South Africa and his involvement with the African National Congress, which had a plan to insure that all South Africans would be equal citizens, treated with respect and fairness and given suffrage. Once he was identified as one of the leaders in the movement, Mandela was arrested along with others, and given limited access to the outside world with only four letters, two sent and two received, allowed each year. He and his fellow prisoners studied and tried to raise the awareness of the prison guards, believing that "education might free them of the hateful apartheid beliefs they'd been taught. Perhaps one by one they could learn to respect people of all colors" (unpaged). Through study and conversations with some of the guards, Mandela came to understand them and their fears as well as helping them see his point of view. As outside pressure prompted his release from prison, Mandela embraced his freedom but also quickly worked to defuse tensions on both sides, showing true leadership. The illustrations, created with acrylics, are stunning, remarkably capturing the essence of this peaceful warrior for justice who seems never to have lost faith that his plans for equity would come to fruition. Those images are filled with lively swirls of color that are just as impressive as those in the illustrations in The Teachers March! also illustrated by Charly Palmer, who illustrated this book. Readers won't want to miss the Author's Note and the Illustrator's Note for their personal connections to this story. Given that there is so much division in the United States as well as other countries, Nelson Mandela's story is particularly relevant right now. This is a fine book to add to a biography collection or one devoted to the civil rights movement or how one person can make changes in the world.
May 20, 2021
This picture book biography of the great Nelson Mandela explores his adult life as first an attorney and then a prisoner and then president. Mandela defended people against the unjust White laws of apartheid that drove dark-skinned South Africans into impoverished communities and took away their rights. He joined the African National Congress, helping draft their Freedom Charter. Mandela was a leader in the fight for justice, soon arrested as an activist, tried and sent to Robben Island. Mandela was placed in a small, cold cell and separated from those he loved, allowed just one visitor in his first year and only two letters sent and received. But Mandela and others created ways to communicate and continue to learn. He saw ways to open the hearts of the guards in the prison, learning about their history as well as his own. Along the way, they gained more freedoms in the prison, eventually getting released as international pressure mounted. Mandela was elected President and formed a new multiracial government with new freedoms for everyone.
McDivitt shares in her Author’s Note that she was born in South Africa as a white person. Her background gives her an interesting lens of understanding from which to write a biography of Nelson Mandela. She does so with a real depth, allowing Mandela’s decades in prison to form a lot of the book and also focusing on the injustice of apartheid and its ramifications on its victims. Throughout her prose, she uses vivid imagery from South Africa that help readers better understand the impact and power of Mandela.
Palmer’s art beautifully captures Mandela throughout his adult life. From the days in prison to connecting with fellow prisoners and guards to eventually donning his signature vibrant tunics as President. The illustrations show the injustice of apartheid, the horrors of the prison, and the rise of Mandela as a world leader.
An important look at Mandela’s life and work. Appropriate for ages 7-10.
McDivitt shares in her Author’s Note that she was born in South Africa as a white person. Her background gives her an interesting lens of understanding from which to write a biography of Nelson Mandela. She does so with a real depth, allowing Mandela’s decades in prison to form a lot of the book and also focusing on the injustice of apartheid and its ramifications on its victims. Throughout her prose, she uses vivid imagery from South Africa that help readers better understand the impact and power of Mandela.
Palmer’s art beautifully captures Mandela throughout his adult life. From the days in prison to connecting with fellow prisoners and guards to eventually donning his signature vibrant tunics as President. The illustrations show the injustice of apartheid, the horrors of the prison, and the rise of Mandela as a world leader.
An important look at Mandela’s life and work. Appropriate for ages 7-10.
April 15, 2021
Lindsey McDivitt weaves the life story of Nelson Mandela together with heart and lyrical language.
“A natural leader, he drew people in—like wildlife to water in the dry Karoo.”
Nelson Mandela was unjustly imprisoned for twenty-seven years for fighting peacefully against apartheid.
He was alone and “ached to see his wife and five children.”
“To the guards, the prisoners looked as lazy as lions in the shade.”
In this must read biography, the author explains that Mandela believed race should not divide people. In prison, Mandela prepared himself to be a leader for all South Africans and became a beloved Father of a new country and a hero to the world.
“A natural leader, he drew people in—like wildlife to water in the dry Karoo.”
Nelson Mandela was unjustly imprisoned for twenty-seven years for fighting peacefully against apartheid.
He was alone and “ached to see his wife and five children.”
“To the guards, the prisoners looked as lazy as lions in the shade.”
In this must read biography, the author explains that Mandela believed race should not divide people. In prison, Mandela prepared himself to be a leader for all South Africans and became a beloved Father of a new country and a hero to the world.
July 9, 2021
For someone who has been covered so often, this is totally a standout bio! Love the art and detail of Mandela’s time in prison.
January 8, 2022
Lindsey McDivitt, the author of "A Plan for the People: Nelson Mandela's Hope for His Nation" will be the guest author at an event that I will attend this month. I look forward to hearing her speak about this book.
The story of Nelson Mandela's life is focused on in "A Plan for the People," the focus being mostly on his adult life and his political life. It is a story that most adults are familiar with but one that many young people may not know. Given the current political climate, particularly in the United Stated, the book (a 2021 publication) is timely.
Takeaways:
1. Lindsey McDivitt is a local author. I want to support local authors.
2. Though McDivitt is a white author writing about a well-known individual of color, she has ties to South Africa, where she was born. Though some might object to this, she gives compelling reasons for the writing of this book in the Author's Note at the end of the book.
2. Charly Parker's illustrations are glorious! His Illustrator's Note is fascinating! It was interesting in that the author and illustrator worked closely together, which is not always the case. I particularly liked the double-paged spread that illustrates the idea of "ubuntu," "...the African idea of shared humanity - the idea that all people are linked like a delicate spider web," as well as the final double-paged spread that is a portrait of Mandela. Also interesting are the inclusion of South African colors and patterns, which he discusses in his note at the end of the book.
3. The inclusion of lots of back-matter - a discussion of the history of Apartheid and the African National Congress in South Africa, timelines, notes from the author and illustrator, additional resources for those who want to dig deeper, etc. are really strong here.
4. It is not always clear who the intended audience for this book is. The picture book format and relatively short text are somewhat misleading. The language used within the text is often pretty sophisticated for young readers, as was the subject-matter. Though the subjects of racism and social justice are so important and relevant in 2022, I wish the author had done more to help young readers (the book is published in America) tie the events of Mandela's life and the history of South Africa to this time and place.
All in all, I (an adult reader) enjoyed and appreciated the book, I would be interested to see how young, contemporary readers respond to the book. Definitely recommended.
The story of Nelson Mandela's life is focused on in "A Plan for the People," the focus being mostly on his adult life and his political life. It is a story that most adults are familiar with but one that many young people may not know. Given the current political climate, particularly in the United Stated, the book (a 2021 publication) is timely.
Takeaways:
1. Lindsey McDivitt is a local author. I want to support local authors.
2. Though McDivitt is a white author writing about a well-known individual of color, she has ties to South Africa, where she was born. Though some might object to this, she gives compelling reasons for the writing of this book in the Author's Note at the end of the book.
2. Charly Parker's illustrations are glorious! His Illustrator's Note is fascinating! It was interesting in that the author and illustrator worked closely together, which is not always the case. I particularly liked the double-paged spread that illustrates the idea of "ubuntu," "...the African idea of shared humanity - the idea that all people are linked like a delicate spider web," as well as the final double-paged spread that is a portrait of Mandela. Also interesting are the inclusion of South African colors and patterns, which he discusses in his note at the end of the book.
3. The inclusion of lots of back-matter - a discussion of the history of Apartheid and the African National Congress in South Africa, timelines, notes from the author and illustrator, additional resources for those who want to dig deeper, etc. are really strong here.
4. It is not always clear who the intended audience for this book is. The picture book format and relatively short text are somewhat misleading. The language used within the text is often pretty sophisticated for young readers, as was the subject-matter. Though the subjects of racism and social justice are so important and relevant in 2022, I wish the author had done more to help young readers (the book is published in America) tie the events of Mandela's life and the history of South Africa to this time and place.
All in all, I (an adult reader) enjoyed and appreciated the book, I would be interested to see how young, contemporary readers respond to the book. Definitely recommended.
July 7, 2021
A Nelson Mandela Must-Read!
Wow, A PLAN FOR THE PEOPLE, is a masterpiece - sparse, beautiful prose by Lindsay McDivitt and rich, textured illustrations by Charly Palmer. This book moves from Mandela's early life as a lawyer, to his release from prison, and his election as the first Black President of South Africa where his plan to dismantle apartheid was put into place. The tone of this book is direct, honest, and appropriate for all ages and every grade-level. The back matter is extensive and adds depth and detail. The book balances the emotionally difficult subject of racism and apartheid and honors Mandela's life and legacy. Side note: A portion of the author's profits from this book is being donated to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and I bought two books to support this very worthy cause.
August 10, 2021
This is former Michigan author McDivitt's third biography for children. The author was actually born in South Africa, and returned frequently as a girl to visit family, while seeing first hand the evils of apartheid. Illustrator Palmer is an award-winning artist, and there is a rare degree of cooperation between author and illustrator. For instance, McDivitt inspires Palmer to change one of his early sketches of Mandela in (his first) prison, by telling him that Mandela was initially allowed to only wear short pants (like boys, not men). With its meticulously crafted story, warm illustrations, and supplemental notes, " A Plan for the People" is a book that all ages can both enjoy and learn from.
August 15, 2021
Review of A PLAN FOR THE PEOPLE: NELSON MANDELA’S HOPE FOR HIS NATION by Lindsey McDivitt
Lindsey McDivitt’s inspirational picture book biography of Nelson Mandela recounts the hero’s vivid history, but goes beyond this to bring forward life lessons that are perfect for our times. Learning the language of, listening to, and learning about people supposedly your enemy. Fighting racism, not fellow citizens. The story does not shy away from the extreme injustice of apartheid and Mandela’s times of suffering, imprisonment and loneliness; however, the hero’s hope, kindness, and calm confident leadership become the overriding and satisfying themes. An insightful author’s note and in-depth back matter add even more depth to the story. Not to be missed!
Kathryn Hagen
Lindsey McDivitt’s inspirational picture book biography of Nelson Mandela recounts the hero’s vivid history, but goes beyond this to bring forward life lessons that are perfect for our times. Learning the language of, listening to, and learning about people supposedly your enemy. Fighting racism, not fellow citizens. The story does not shy away from the extreme injustice of apartheid and Mandela’s times of suffering, imprisonment and loneliness; however, the hero’s hope, kindness, and calm confident leadership become the overriding and satisfying themes. An insightful author’s note and in-depth back matter add even more depth to the story. Not to be missed!
Kathryn Hagen
April 24, 2021
An inspiring book about an inspiring person! This book is FULL of information about Mandela. It ends up being a bit too much for a picture book I think. The beginning of the book is such an information dump that I was not really enjoying it. It really picked up though but I still think there was way too much in this book.
Excellent illustrations, especially the two page spread of Mandela's big smile.
Excellent illustrations, especially the two page spread of Mandela's big smile.
January 10, 2023
An incredible book about an incredible man.
“A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness.” Nelson Mandela.
Mandela beloved that education was key:
“He beloved education might free them of the hateful apartheid beliefs they’d been taught. Perhaps one by one they could learn to respect people of all colors.”
“A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness.” Nelson Mandela.
Mandela beloved that education was key:
“He beloved education might free them of the hateful apartheid beliefs they’d been taught. Perhaps one by one they could learn to respect people of all colors.”
October 29, 2021
This is a great introduction to Mandela and apartheid. The author and illustrator notes at the end provide further information and facts, including a timeline. This book illustrates the ongoing global fight against racism.
November 2, 2021
This picture book biography of Nelson Mandela is a good introduction to the activist/political prisoner/South African president. The art is stunning and there are extensive historical notes at the end of the book.
November 1, 2022
Inspiring and informative. Does not shy away from Mandela's decades in prison (as other picture book biographies of the South African leader are known to do). Might be too wordy for younger children, but my 11 and I both enjoyed this inspiring picture book biography.
Read
June 14, 2021This picture book biography went into greater detail than most and the illustrations were bold and powerful. Definitely adding this to my sixth grade picture book biography unit
August 20, 2021
An elementary level picture book biography of Nelson Mandela from education to President and family and jail. Pictures are paintings.
January 5, 2023
I read this for the Charlie May Simon Award. Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews