(3) K-3 Illustrated by Nicole Tadgell. This picture-book biography shows readers a cross-section of Booker T. Washington's life, focusing on the period of time during which he led the construction of Tuskegee University. The story conveys Washington's remarkable tenacity and gives important historical context for understanding race relations, then and now. Hazy, loose watercolors depict events gracefully. A broader biographical summary and an author's note are included. Bib.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Bryan Collier. The emphasis of this brief portrait of Booker T. Washington is on his quest for knowledge: as a young boy living in slavery, wanting to learn to read, and then as a young adult attending the Hampton Institute. Watercolor and collage illustrations show the powerful determination on the subject's face, and everything about the bookmaking reverberates with the importance of books and learning. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Kathleen T. Horning | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2013

(4) YA Lucent Library of Black History series. Washington traces the man's life from slavery to international prominence, with particular focus on his dedication to education and his lasting legacy. Office, which includes a timeline, is a more general survey of prominent local, state, and national politicians before and after the Civil War. The texts are dense but informative. Illustrations and photographs break up the pages. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Lucent Library of Black History titles: Blacks in Political Office and Booker T. Washington and Education.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA African-American Biography Library series. These accessible (if somewhat simplistic) biographies provide basic information on their subjects. Angelou highlights her careers in writing, entertainment, and civil rights; Washington depicts as a peaceful educator whose nonconfrontational methods drew criticism; Hughes focuses on his world travel, literary relationships, and celebration of African American culture. Numerous archival photographs, drawings, and other materials provide historical context. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Biography Library titles: Maya Angelou, Booker T. Washington, and Langston Hughes.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Let's Meet Biographies series. These basic biographies of Washington, black educator and founder of the Tuskegee Institute, and abolitionist Truth, a former slave, are engaging and clearly written, although occasionally the books' brevity results in what feels like unfinished thoughts. Archival black-and-white photos appear in an attractive layout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Let's Meet Biographies titles: Let's Meet Booker T. Washington and Let's Meet Sojourner Truth.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Great African Americans series. Each simply written title in this series provides an adequate introduction to a notable African American. black-and-white photos, often poorly reproduced, extend the text. Large type and short sentences make these books suitable for use with reluctant readers. Along with a time line, an updated bibliography and a list of Internet addresses are included. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Great African Americans titles: Booker T. Washington, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mary McLeod Bethune.]

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) 4-6 Slick, glossy pages illustrated with sepia photos (some of which are used in more than one book) lend these slim biographies a magazine-like look. A general understanding of African-American history emerges from volume to volume while the individual is the focus of each. The at-times graphic photos are themselves a visual history. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Mary Burkey

(4) K-3 On My Own series. Illustrated by Jeni Reeves. Focusing on Washington's life from his childhood as a slave to his admission into Hampton Institute at sixteen, Amper discusses this African-American leader's struggles to become literate and the obstacles he overcame to realize his dream of attending school. The soft artwork supports the somewhat lifeless text but doesn't expand it. An afterword briefly mentions Washington's work as an educator. A time line is included.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson