A fiery and inspiring look at a pivotal period in U.S. history.
A brief history of the Underground Railroad, with tributes to some of its most successful conductors.
Part of a relaunch of the If You Lived series, this title takes on the same subject and question-and-answer format as Ellen Levine’s 1988 book of the same name but is otherwise different. Where Levine’s book referred to you, Wilkins uses they and them to refer to those who sought to escape enslavement. And where Levine’s book explored the roles of White abolitionists like Harriet Beecher Stowe and William Lloyd Garrison, Wilkins highlights the heroic achievements of conductors of African descent, from Harriet Tubman to William Still and David Ruggles. In her narrative, Wilkins creates vivid pictures of the journey’s dangers as well as of the day-to-day brutality of slavery, beginning with the arrival of White enslavers to Africa in 1501 and the arrival of African captives in North America in 1619. She highlights the roles of women, including early escapee Harriet Powell and Harriet Scott, who sued for freedom right along with her better-known husband, Dred. In Walthall’s illustrations, individualized brown faces in diverse hues with fearful, courageous, or dignified expressions predominate, leading up to a final march that crosses eras to modern times. “The Underground Railroad may be part of history now,” the author concludes, “but the fight for freedoms and reparations for African people and their descendants lives on.”
A fiery and inspiring look at a pivotal period in U.S. history. (additional reading, glossary) (Nonfiction. 8-10)Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-338-78892-1
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The historical narrative is of mild interest, but the incorporated toy is off-target in several ways.
A historical overview of archery with a cut-in grip and sturdy plastic wings that unfold to form an actual bow—punch-out cardboard arrows and targets included.
Nayeri opens what he optimistically calls his “weapon of mass instruction” by arguing—rightly, if not exactly cogently—that a bow-shaped book is less dangerous than a bad or careless idea. He continues with a worldwide survey of archery in, mostly, war from ancient times on. Along with cartoon portraits of single archers and battle scenes featuring comically pin-cushioned soldiers, all diverse of skin color and in period dress, Jung adds simple depictions of various types of bows and arrows from many lands and eras. Following a final chapter on Robin Hood and other archers of both myth and legend, 43 blunt, lightweight, detachable arrows, each about 1 ½ inches long, and 10 chicken butts or other small targets of diminishing size offer would-be Katniss Everdeens immediate opportunities to develop their skills on a tabletop or similarly confined range. But as the author admits, this is more a slingshot than a true bow, as the recurved arms don’t actually bend, and all of the propulsive force is provided by the elastic string. Also, enterprising young felons will doubtless ignore his prohibition against shooting at live targets, so even though the “draw” is (probably) too weak to actually drive the provided missiles into, say, an eyeball, there is still some small potential for mayhem.
The historical narrative is of mild interest, but the incorporated toy is off-target in several ways. (bibliography) (Informational novelty. 8-10)Pub Date: Oct. 31, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-5235-0119-9
Page Count: 89
Publisher: Workman
Review Posted Online: Nov. 12, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A loving homage to the last baseball clown.
Max Patkin had a very long and rewarding career in baseball, but it wasn’t in the way he originally planned.
He was a good-enough pitcher to earn a place in the minor leagues. In 1942 he was sidelined by an injury and joined the Navy. After surgery he was good to go: to Hawaii to play baseball with other professional players as a way of entertaining the troops. He played with and against the likes of Pee Wee Reese and Joe DiMaggio. When DiMaggio hit a very long home run against him, Max followed him around the bases, mimicking his motions and garnering laughs and cheers from players and spectators. After the war he played in the minors again, but injuries ended his playing days. But his comic routines were remembered, and he was asked to perform at exhibition games all over the country. Everyone seemed to love his over-the-top slapstick and hilarious performances. Vernick displays warm affection for Patkin, describing his antics in amusing anecdotes that are followed by quoting his signature line, “True Story!” Bower’s colorful cartoons manage to capture the essence of Max’s goofy appearance and all-out efforts to elicit every bit of fun he could invent in the game he loved so much. It was a different time.
A loving homage to the last baseball clown. (author’s note, sources) (Picture book/ biography. 8-10)Pub Date: April 3, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-544-81377-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 21, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2018
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