(3) K-3 Illustrated by Donald A. Smith. This well-researched book contains biographical snapshots of fourteen antislavery pioneers, including John Brown, Lucretia Mott, Harriet Tubman, and Denmark Vesey. Each brief essay opens with a notable quote, then focuses on the subject's contribution to abolishing slavery in the United States. Smith's illustrations complement the text and highlight the resolve of these resourceful women and men. Bib.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(4) 4-6 Slavery in American History series. Judicious middle school researchers may find some interesting tidbits in the source documents collected in these books, but most readers will find the books dull. Archival illustrations accompany the texts. Each volume contains a timeline, chapter notes, selected readings, and additional resources. Glos., ind. Review covers these Slavery in American History titles: The Politics of Slavery, African-American History from Emancipation to Today and Slave Life on the Plantation.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(3) 4-6 Approximately thirty African-American artists are highlighted in this well-organized book. In clear prose, the author gives us a survey of two hundred years of African-American fine art, devoting equal attention to biography and art history. Reproductions of works are accompanied by excellent brief critiques. Illustration credits, notes, reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(4) 4-6 Slavery in American History series. Judicious middle school researchers may find some interesting tidbits in the source documents collected in these books, but most readers will find the books dull. Archival illustrations accompany the texts. Each volume contains a timeline, chapter notes, selected readings, and additional resources. Glos., ind. Review covers these Slavery in American History titles: The Politics of Slavery, African-American History from Emancipation to Today and Slave Life on the Plantation.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(3) 4-6 People's History series. Accompanied by sepia-toned images, this solidly written history presents a picture of bold ex-slaves and freedmen taking charge of their lives and their families, determined to not be returned to bondage. Excerpts from slave narratives add authenticity. Includes the text of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, and the 1875 Civil Rights Act. Reading list, source notes, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(3) 1-3 To work off a family debt, eleven-year old Viney goes to spend the summer with Missy Violet, the local midwife, to learn about "catchin' babies." During this eventful summer, Viney learns midwifery basics, acquires knowledge about roots, and has adventures with many memorable characters. This is a heartfelt glimpse into African-American life during the early twentieth century.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(3) 4-6 Trailblazer Biography series. Illustrated with archival photos, this biography is a solid introduction to the civil rights leader. The author highlights King's nascent political awareness growing up in the segregated South and the challenges he faced as a civil rights leader but does not gloss over his foibles. Appended are source notes and a copy of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(3) K-3 Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. In explaining to her granddaughter how the art of sweetgrass basket making has been handed down, a grandmother also lyrically recounts her people's history, through slavery to tourist attraction, in the Sea Islands. Lewis's evocative illustrations enhance this story where art, memory, and history intersect. The book includes notes on sweetgrass basket making. Bib.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(3) 4-6 Slavery in American History series. This book is a departure from many on the subject because it highlights the myriad views--pro and con--of this peculiar institution. Typical voices, such as Henry Bibb, whose many attempts to escape slavery were finally successful, are collected with the not-so-typical voices of southern belle Letitia Burwell and race scientist Joseph Le Conte. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(4) 4-6 Slavery in American History series. Judicious middle school researchers may find some interesting tidbits in the source documents collected in these books, but most readers will find the books dull. Archival illustrations accompany the texts. Each volume contains a timeline, chapter notes, selected readings, and additional resources. Glos., ind. Review covers these Slavery in American History titles: The Politics of Slavery, African-American History from Emancipation to Today and Slave Life on the Plantation.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(3) YA American Mosaic: African-American Contributors series. Hasday does an adequate job chronicling one of the most successful military experiments in the nation's history--the training and deployment of the Tuskegee Airmen during WWII. Believed to be inferior by most military and political leaders, the Airmen proved that the color of one's skin had no influence on one's skill as a pilot. The book is illustrated with archival photographs. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(4) YA This memoir was written by the daughter of a white officer in charge of an all-black Army regiment in the late 1800s. The eyewitness account of the settling of the American West starts out unbearably dull, though as Hooker grows up her writing becomes more interesting. The book will not appeal to a wide audience but would be a good primary source for advanced history students. Addresses, photo insert, reading list, timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(3) PS "On the second day of Kwanzaa, I ask Mommy to braid my hair in a fancy African way. It makes me feel proud." This introduction to the holiday will please and inform preschoolers and their parents. Bold collage and mixed-media illustrations add a celebratory air to the simple text, which includes pronunciation guides. Appended is an author's note that gives a brief history of Kwanzaa.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Bryant. "Daddy says our people built the pyramids. / I wish I could have been there." As her father relates various African-American accomplishments, a young girl imagines what she herself would have done. The illustrations convey the warmth between father and daughter, but a deleted sentence in the revised text may confuse readers (the text mentions politicians, teachers, and doctors while the art shows a cowboy).

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Shane W. Evans. Reenie and Mama enjoy fishing along the bank of Jim Crow River, but Peter and his father fish out of necessity. Mama explains why they ignore one another: "We and white folks have kept our distance here, for as long as memory serves." But Reenie is kind to Peter, and this small act helps him shed some of his prejudices. Evans's standout illustrations add poignancy to the story.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(4) YA This introductory biography gives young readers a brief introduction to the life and work of Daisy Bates, a key activist in the integration of Little Rock's Central High School in 1957. While the dialogue is incompletely referenced, the text is otherwise sturdy. The book ncludes archival photographs, endnotes, and a reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Eric Velasquez & Eric Velasquez. Liberty Street is a foot-worn dirt path where slaves Kezia and her mother can stroll on Sundays unfettered by work or the watchful eyes of Miss Grace, their owner. When her mother discovers that Miss Grace is going to bond Kezia out to her sister in Richmond, she arranges for Kezia to escape to Canada. There's too much plot for the picture book format, but Velasquez's smooth oil illustrations brighten the story.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(4) 4-6 20th Century Perspectives series. Double-page spreads, crowded with captioned archival photographs and reproductions, introduce the African-American writers, artists, and intellectuals who participated in the Harlem Renaissance of the early twentieth century. Boxed text provides interesting asides to give a more complete picture of the influences on this remarkable exposition of talent. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Derek Blanks & Derek Blanks. Young Henry Bell wants to learn to read and write, but it's illegal for him to do so because he is a plantation slave. Henry's chance comes when he is asked to escort Master Simon to school. He hides in a tree next to the schoolhouse window and listens in on the lessons. Oil paintings add depth to the somewhat contrived but interesting story of one young man's quest to become literate.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(3) 4-6 People's History series. Illustrated with captioned black-and-white photos, this brief volume covers many milestones of the civil rights movement. The clearly written text shows how the leaders met new challenges and kept disparate groups focused on the same goals until the turning point in Selma. Each chapter opens with a quote or song from the era, and a timeline and a list of websites are appended. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson