Children of Promise: African-American Literature and Art for Young People (Abradale Books) [Hardcover]

Charles Sullivan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2002 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Abradale Books

This wonderfully illustrated introduction to the art and literature of and about African-Americans has been specially compiled for young readers. From slavery and colonial times through the Civil Rights movement and up to the present, the African-American experience is vividly evoked through nearly 100 poems, songs, and text excerpts. These are accompanied by historical photographs and stunning reproductions of paintings and sculpture by well-known African-American artists.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The work of more than 60 writers, poets, painters, photographers and historical figures forms this richly diverse and well-chosen introduction to African American culture. Accompanying a loose chronology of political milestones from the colonial era to the present are songs of the field and chain gang, a Benin bronze and folk sculpture and more. Langston Hughes, W.E.B. Du Bois and Jacob Lawrence shine brightly here, as do paintings by John Copley, George Bellows and Thomas Eakins, representing a sympathetic white viewpoint. Captions for the old photographs attest to hope prevailing in bad times, but ultimately the pride inherent in Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and Florence Griffith Joyner's Olympic medals succumbs to frequent hints that matters are worsening for many of today's African Americans. Concluding this lovingly produced volume, Gwendolyn Brooks's poem, "To the Young Who Want to Die," becomes a moving plea to live for a brighter day. All ages.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4 Up-- This presentation of literature and art for young people is elegant, appealing, rich, and dramatic with moments from African-American history. Its contents touch all periods from slavery to the present. It claims 100 poems, folk songs, and other literary excerpts that accompany more than 80 historical photographs and reproductions of paintings and sculptures. While the index is not inclusive, this is an aesthetically gratifying book that deserves wide distribution.
- Helen E. Williams, formerly at University of Maryland, College Park
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 126 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; First Edition edition (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810982218
• ISBN-13: 978-0810982215
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,791,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An attractive introduction for kids, May 23, 2003

By 

AfroAmericanHeritage (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Children of Promise: African-American Literature and Art for Young People (Hardcover)

This book presents an attractive and appealing introduction for children. It provides brief biographical notes (1-2 sentence) and many of the poems and prose are simply snippets, but it's designed to whet the appetite for something more, something it does admirably.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Celebrate you, the arts & success in the middle school class, May 16, 2002

By 

Suzanne Bowen (Pensacola, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Children of Promise: African-American Literature and Art for Young People (Hardcover)

Have you ever tried to teach a classroom of 30 or more 8th graders of varying abilities to read and focus? Try it, and I recommend this book in your classroom, also a textbook called African American Literature (Holt, Rinehart, & Winston), lyrics to new popular songs and golden oldies... etc.

Back to the book, VERY much fun. Has poetry by Langston Huges, Gwendolyn Brooks, etc. A plethora of unique artwork! Interesting biographical notes in the back of the famous African Americans referred to in the book such as James Baldwin, Lucille Clifton, and Jimi Hendrix.

5.0 out of 5 stars loved the book, January 20, 2011

By 

Phyllis A. Donahue "multicultural music lover" (Midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Children of Promise: African-American Literature and Art for Young People (Hardcover)

I had bought a copy of this book a year ago and gave to a friend for her collection. I was so excited to find this so reasonable. It arrived quickly and is an exceptional collection in perfect condition. Fatima