OUTWARD DREAMS: Black Inventors and Their Inventions

by Jim Haskins ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1991

A prolific author of nonfiction for young people surveys the role of African-American inventors. Bracketed between an opening chapter discussing the early history of patents, as well as the question of issuing them to slaves, and a concluding discussion of the place of the late 20th-century inventor is a chronological roundup of the more prominent figures, including Banneker, James Forten, Elijah McCoy, Madam C.J. Walker, and Carver. Each is presented in historical context, and Haskins carefully notes the significance of their achievements. He concludes with a useful list of inventors and inventions taken from the 1983 Negro Almanac. The style here is pedestrian, but the content is useful and inspiring enough to overcome the workmanlike tone. Bibliography; index (not seen).

Pub Date: March 1, 1991

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 112

Publisher: Walker

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1991

Categories: CHILDREN'S