(2) K-3 Illustrated by Charly Palmer. Nelson Mandela (1918–2013) is remembered for his "wide, warm smile"--but the hope that fueled that smile was difficult to maintain. As a child and a young man, he worked hard and had hope for his future. When South Africa's apartheid laws were created and enforced, Mandela used his position as a lawyer to defend Black Africans and joined the African National Congress to create a plan for a united and free nation for all. The government sentenced Mandela and other freedom fighters to life in prison, but Mandela didn't let his imprisonment or his anger stop his cause. This detailed picture-book biography, with its comparatively lengthy text, highlights how Mandela used whatever means were at his disposal to continue progressing toward freedom for his people and his country, even under the most restrictive and difficult circumstances. During his decades in prison, for example, he made a difference by connecting with white guards on a human level. By the time the book shows Mandela freed and elected president, the reader is full of admiration for this passionate and talented leader whose dedication earned him the nicknames of Madiba, "honored elder"; and Tata, "beloved Father of a new country." Palmer's dramatic paintings use dynamic brushstrokes to create engaging portraits of the eminently recognizable Mandela and of the world he influenced. Appended with extensive back matter and source notes.

Reviewer: Autumn Allen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(2) 4-6 Straightforward text and comics-style sequential art combine in a (fictionalized) account of the Black student–led protest in 1976 Soweto, South Africa, in opposition to a law requiring half the school lessons be taught in Afrikaans. Separate chapters follow three individuals, including twelve-year-old Hector, whose lifeless body appears in a black-and-white photograph at book's end. An afterword describes how that photograph "became a powerful symbol." Lovingly illustrated portraits further humanize the three main characters. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sean Qualls. Young Zazi and Ziwelene find a photo of their great-grandfather, Nelson Mandela, at their grandmother's house, which inspires them to ask her about him. The book's question-and-answer narrative seems contrived ("Why did Grandad go to jail?"; "What is justice?"), but Grandma Zindzi's answers are nimbly worded. Qualls's acrylic, collage, and colored-pencil art has a stateliness worthy of the book's subject.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Charly Palmer. Erskine's picture book biography about South African resistance singer Miriam Makeba uses driving present tense and an expressionistic prose style, with lyrical sentences alighting on significant apartheid events. Quotes and song lyrics keep the intensity high, as does clever use of words in red, often repeated on the next page. Palmer heightens the sense of urgency with vivid paintings. An extensive author's note is included. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Monica Edinger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(4) K-3 Zoom In on Legendary Leaders series. These titles offer a superficial first glance at the lives of six influential leaders (all male), their accomplishments/impact on others, and their place in history. The historical photos, paintings, and drawings add depth to brief texts that align to Common Core Standards. Appended lists of quick stats and key dates may be helpful when writing reports. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Zoom In on Legendary Leaders titles: Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, Cesar Chavez, George Washington, Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(3) YA Joshua, a black boy in 1970s South Africa whose mother serves a white family, tries to follow the norms of his time. He is deferential to whites and wary of police, but when apartheid brings violence to his doorstep and his family, he joins the rising struggle for freedom. This affectingly told coming-of-age story explores the personal, familial, and social impacts of apartheid. Author's note appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) 4-6 Newsmakers series. This accessibly written series is notable for its clean layout, including color photographs, sidebars, and charts. The mostly complimentary narratives are solid overviews of their subjects' early lives, successes, and failures. A "Stop and Think" feature offers discussion questions that can be used for assignments. For the living subjects, the content will soon become outdated. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Newsmakers titles: Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Vladimir Putin, Malala Yousafzai, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Nelson Mandela, and Pope Francis.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. This picture book for older children packs a lot of sports and political history into forty pages. Set in 1990s South Africa, the story centers on two boys--one black, one white--who finally can play soccer together after the South African multiracial team wins the Africa Cup. The strong mixed-media illustrations reflect the text's emotion and energy. A historical note is appended. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Gateway Biographies series. Two well-known international human rights activists are profiled in these slim biographies. Mandela's political life is chronicled closely and chronologically, with too many dates and events encumbering the relatively brief text; Yousafzai's biography is clearer but covers the same ground as her recent memoir. These easy-to-navigate resources are most suitable for younger report writers seeking basic biographical information. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review includes these Gateway Biographies titles: Malala Yousafzai and Nelson Mandela

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(3) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. Short chapters with challenging but controlled vocabulary (Obama's text is simpler than Mandela's) track Obama's and Mandela's paths to becoming the first black presidents of their respective countries; pre-presidential civil rights work is emphasized more than presidential policy. "Words to Know" boxes and in-text transliteration support independent reading. Bright photographs, fact boxes, and pullout quotes increase accessibility. Mandela has an index. Timeline. Glos. Review covers these National Geographic Readers titles:Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) K-3 Moving swiftly through crucial moments in Mandela's life, from childhood tragedy to his outcry against apartheid to his nearly thirty-year imprisonment, release, and eventual presidency, this pictorial biography aptly honors the South African revolutionary. Nelson's signature large-scale portraits capture both the strength and emotions of his subject--particularly the text-less cover featuring Mandela's visage with a dignified expression. Bib.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(4) YA Champion of Freedom series. Color and black-and-white archival photographs (often poorly reproduced), maps, and sidebars combine with a comprehensive text to present an accessible chronological biography of each notable activist. First-hand accounts, drawn from a variety of sources, lend an authentic voice, while the discussion of historical events and figures provides the political and historical contexts that motivated such determination and sacrifice. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Champion on Freedom titles: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Nelson Mandela.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Perspectives on Modern World History series. Each volume presents a collection of essays and articles that explore a critical point in modern world history. The events are discussed from multiple perspectives, including views from those who participated in the events or were otherwise key figures. The writing covers historical background, controversies, and personal viewpoints. A few pictures, sidebars, and pull-quotes supplement each text-heavy volume. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Perspectives on Modern World History titles: The End of Apartheid, The Fall of the Berlin Wall, The Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989, and Chernobyl.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Timelines series. From the 1902 Peace of Vereeniging to Jacob Zuma's 2009 swearing-in, this volume explores the political history of South Africa through twenty-one key events. On each spread, a timeline gives a snapshot view, used to both anchor each development and to expand upon it. Background information about major figures is appended. The many images are relevant and well placed. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(3) YA Civil Rights Struggles Around the World series. These series entries address three struggles in the worldwide history of civil rights. Strong texts provide readers with essential background information on such topics as the ILGWU, apartheid, and Chinese government oppression; the activist movements' beginnings, confrontations, results, and significance within their nations' histories are then discussed. Many dynamic photographs illustrate the information-rich (if dense) volumes. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Civil Rights Struggles Around the World titles: We Stand as One, Open the Jail Doors--We Want to Enter, and Who Will Shout If Not Us?

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Paddy Bouma. Abridged by Chris van Wyk. At the start of this abridged autobiography, Mandela's gentle voice recollects a near idyllic childhood. Ensuing years encompass his association with the ANC, the opening of his law office, and his imprisonment; the book ends in 1994 when Mandela is elected president of South Africa. Butter-hued pages and warm-toned illustrations loosely outlined in black cast a rich glow over the story. Timeline. Glos.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(3) 4-6 New York Times Book series. Journalist and editor Keller presents a well-rounded portrait of the South African civil rights activist, from freedom fighter to prisoner to president and beyond. Keller's vivid writing brings to life his subject and the complex history of South Africa. Quotations, newspaper excerpts, anecdotes, and interviews with Mandela provide the basis for the book's information. Many photographs chronicle events. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA Modern Peacemakers series. These biographies of Nobel Peace Prize winners provide windows into worldwide political and social issues. Triumphs and controversies surrounding the winners (e.g., inaccuracies in Menchú's autobiography) are covered using primary and secondary sources. More photographs would have been useful to break up long discussions of complex issues. There are six other spring 2007 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Modern Peacemakers titles: Desmond Tutu, Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams, Shirin Ebadi, Mother Teresa, Elie Wiesel, and Rigoberta Menchú Tum.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. After explaining the biases inherent in primary and secondary sources, this book briefly discusses different aspects of apartheid and then provides a primary source to illustrate those aspects. Lack of follow-up on the primary sources may leave readers wondering what happened to individuals quoted, but this is a good introduction to how history is written. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Days That Shook the World series. From circumstances leading up to Mandela's imprisonment to becoming South Africa's first black president, this well-researched title presents a comprehensive account of Mandela's struggle for equal rights under apartheid rule. Despite the tight design, the accessible text, supported by archival material, photos, maps, and notable quotes, brings history to life. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale