Walter Dean Myers

April 1, 2013

Gr 7 Up-Presented in an easy-to-read format, these books will appeal to reluctant readers or teens who are just trying to fulfill an assignment. The well-known literary figures have interesting life stories. For example, Morrison tells about the trials and triumphs that affected the woman's daily life and ultimately her decision to write. Likewise, Myers had a nontraditional upbringing that has greatly influenced his work. He has fought against criticism and even censorship of several of his books. Staying true to himself has earned him several awards and recognition in the literary world. Angelou has many accomplishments, from working with Martin Luther King, Jr., in his fight for civil rights to composing and reading a poem for President Clinton's inauguration. These individuals have in common their struggle for a better life; whether they came from humble beginnings or not, they triumphed through hard times and have influenced many people around them. Unfortunately, the lack of photographs or any illustrative material to break up the texts is a real drawback. Also, while the publisher touts these as new titles, Jordan's and Kramer's books were originally published in the 1990s and while a few updates have been made, the presentations seem a bit dated.-Carol Hirsche, Provo City Library, UT

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July 1, 2013
These accessible, simplistic biographies trace the lives of contemporary African American leaders in the arts. The uncomplicated prose may appeal to report writers who are also reluctant readers. While the books' original design was uninspired, it did include plenty of photos--which these new editions have oddly omitted. Discography (Smith), filmography (Berry; Smith). Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

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