What Was the Harlem Renaissance?

What was...?

by Sherri L. Smith, Tim Foley (Illustrations)

In this book from the #1 New York Times bestselling series, learn how this vibrant Black neighborhood in upper Manhattan became home to the leading Black writers, artists, and musicians of the 1920s and 1930s.

Travel back in time to the 1920s and 1930s to the sounds of jazz in nightclubs and the 24-hours-a-day bustle of the famous Black neighborhood of Harlem in uptown Manhattan. It was a dazzling time when there was an outpouring of the arts of African Americans--the poetry of Langston Hughes; the novels of Zora Neale Hurston; the sculptures of Augusta Savage and that brand-new music called jazz as only Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong could play it. Author Sherri Smith traces Harlem's history all the way to its seventeenth-century roots, and explains how the early-twentieth-century Great Migration brought African Americans from the deep South to New York City and gave birth to the golden years of the Harlem Renaissance.

With 80 fun black-and-white illustrations and an engaging 16-page photo insert, readers will be excited to read this latest addition to Who HQ!

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Middle Grade, Childrens, Historical, Music

112 pages, Paperback

Published December 28, 2021

About the author

Sherri L. Smith is the award-winning author of YA novels LUCY THE GIANT, SPARROW, HOT SOUR SALTY SWEET, FLYGIRL and ORLEANS. In October 2015, she makes her middle grade debut with THE TOYMAKER’S APPRENTICE from G.P. Putnam and Sons for Penguin Random House.

Sherri has worked in film, animation, comic books and construction. Her books have been listed as Amelia Bloomer, American Library Association Best Books for Young People, and Junior Library Guild Selections. FLYGIRL was the 2009 California Book Awards Gold Medalist.

She loves her family, travel, chocolate chip cookies, reading, and and a really good cup of tea.

Reviews

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two details:
1. A lot of actors in the Harlem Renaissance, Ethel Waters and Josephine Baker
2. They talked about the Great Depression when people lose their money. Franklin D. Roosevelt helped with this.
My favorite part was how they did the Shuffle Along musical. My least favorite part was the Great Depression.

[Kelly ♈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't imagine giving anything other than a 5-star rating to any books in this series. They're informative, quick digests of valuable information. They're almost like the PBS of historical vignettes in a children's book.

[Danielle R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so interesting as I’ve always been fascinated by the Harlem Renaissance …. Black people do have a legacy more than slavery here in America and it’s such a beautiful things to read about!

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure, someone I know met this author at ALA and I’m committed to reading everything they’ve written in solidarity. This is a smart juvenile nonfiction book about the Harlem Renaissance that is told with grace and modern language while explaining the outdated terms from the time. The Cotton Club, Jim Crow, and the Great Migration for young readers is not easy to explain, for example, but it was shared in a matter of fact, accessible way. A great overview for me, too. I’m going to read about the Tuskegee airmen next.

[Elina · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was nice but mostly boring thats why gave it one star it was very detailed and I liked the idea of were they put the pics but still I wasn't very interested it was mostly about blacks about there culture and mostly telling people that it doesn't matter black or white see we are talented too so yeah wasn't interested in that.

[Río · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

This book offers a simple overview of key players, events, and elements of the Harlem Renaissance. I also appreciate how it defines potentially unfamiliar terms (including terms in quotes that were acceptable at the time but recognized as harmful now). Would recommend it to earlier readers (or more advanced readers who want a shorter introduction) as a starting point for learning about the Harlem Renaissance.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had heard of the Harlem Renaissance but didn't know much about it. This book filled in the details. It is a look at the many talented African-Americans who were part of a very important cultural movement in the early 20th century. I looked up more information on some of the people as well as pictures of works by the artists. There are some real treasures there. Very good reading.

[Tara Thieleke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series as an adult, but this is an especially good one. I have been familiar with some of the musical and visual artists of the era, but this enlightened me about the authors and historical circumstances that gave rise to the movement. Loved the addition of black and white photos at the back.

[Lisa Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent introduction to the Harlem Renaissance! I wish every child, and every adult too, would read this well-written, well-researched explanation of the Harlem Renaissance and its importance in American history and culture. Very engaging for all readers ten and up.
I can only hope it hasn't been banned by those who try to eliminate the facts, like racism, from history!

[Kathryn Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series for kids and adults. I read this for myself to get a brief overview of the Harlem Renaissance. I appreciated the illustrations, photographs, and accessible history about this time period and some of the main contributors. Highly recommend!

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While much of the information was presented in an interesting engaging way, for children, I don’t agree with the political agenda for young students who have no idea how true or false the perspectives really are.

[Erin Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Book 1 for Black History Month 2022)

Excellent addition to the series. I had a copy from the library but will definitely be buying one for future reference. The photographs are phenomenal as well. Tons of information here, spanning music, visual arts, theatre and film, and literature. Lots of names i didn't know (along with the obvious). Does a great job placing the Harlem Renaissance in a broader context between WW1 and the great depression. Great resource.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice intro for young readers. I wish it had an index.

[K Morlando · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative children's book, we enjoyed learning about this

[Tammy Conatser · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a decent book that I knew next to nothing about so it was good to learn something new but the story fell flat for myself. I think it's just better for someone else

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much more from this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned lots about the Harlem Renaissance. Nice section with black and white photos of important figures from the time as well as key locations mentioned. Written for children, but great for adults too!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good history book for young readers and adults who want to get some quick information about the Harlem Renaissance. It was so good I read it in less than 30 minutes. I couldn't put it down.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that this series makes people and events accessible to kids.

[Krys · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[aubree Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it

[Julianna Worden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it truly captures the true stories of the Harlem Renaissance

[Elexndra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one in this series
Library borrow