Paul Robeson: A Voice to Remember (Great African Americans) [Library Binding]

Patricia C. McKissack (Author), Fredrick L. McKissack (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1992 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Great African Americans

Examines the life of the African-American singer-actor who spoke out against racism and injustice.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Two biographies that are brief, informative, and fill a need for materials on noted African-Americans for primary-grade readers. Both touch on the childhood, education, careers, and family life of these men. Their determination to achieve and the obstacles they had to overcome are emphasized. Black-and-white photographs, usually from their adult years, appear throughout. Some of the captions in Robeson are short on details. (One photo shows Robeson receiving an award in France, but the caption does not give a date, the reason for the award, or the name of the man presenting it.) Hazy, undistinguished pencil drawings illustrate the subject's early years in Washington ; the pen-and-ink drawings in Robeson are far more expressive. However, in the glossary of that book, the authors define words such as ``slave'' and ``concert,'' but then they use the term ``Allies'' in a definition of World War II and do not explain who the Allies were. These comments aside, the books will find an eager audience among beginning readers because of their bold, easy-to-read texts, wide margins, and short chapters. --Laura Culberg, Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Enslow Publishers (December 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0894903101
• ISBN-13: 978-0894903106
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 7.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,223,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Utilitarian biography at best, November 8, 2003

By 

D. L. Schulman "Librarian" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paul Robeson: A Voice to Remember (Great African Americans) (Library Binding)

I reviewed this book as part of a Children's Literature assignment for my master's degree in Library Science:

This book is part of the "Great African Americans" series. It is a fine example of many of the problems with children's biography. The writing is so simplified that it just sounds silly, and talks down to children. It portrays Paul as the victim that fought back, without any shortcomings on his part. It brings up difficult topics without any explanation. For example, it mentions communism, and that Paul had trouble getting jobs because he was friendly with communists. The glossary definition of communists? "Those who believe in the form of government that was practiced in the Soviet Union until recently." (p.30) That said, there is some use for this book. The facts they choose to include are easily accessible, thanks to a thorough index. However, there is no suggestion as to sources of any of these facts. There are photographs and sketches sprinkled liberally throughout, which lets the reader see and imagine Paul Robeson. Kids will love the book because it gets the boring biography assignment and the boring Black History Month assignment out of the way with one small, utilitarian book which fits neatly in a backpack. Aimed at kids in grades K-2.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Showboat's OLD MAN RIVER, March 3, 2007

By 

Betty Burks "Betty Burks" (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paul Robeson: A Voice to Remember (Great African Americans) (Library Binding)

Paul Robeson, the son of a slave who became a preacher in Princeton, New Jersey, sang his way into the hearts of Americans in "Showboat." No one else could ever sing that son with such power and spirit. After his success with "Old Man River," he became a Shakespearean actor in England, first starring role was Othello. England had slaves before America did, witness the movie, "Amazing Grace." I think they sent most of theirs to New England because of the disgrace. Many empires had slaves, even mMoses was one in "The Ten Commandments." A certain scholar would disagree (see "White Gold" review), but it was a Biblical fact. Paul was born in 1898 as a fifth child and his mother died tragically when he was only six years of age. Mine left me to cope for myself when I was seven. We both loved music and could sing, but there the similarities end. He had opportunities in the Northeast to become someone of importance.

Paul Robeson received the best education where he became a scholar and pro football player. But it was his big, booming singing voice which brought him fame and fortune. He'd grown up in his father's church singing spirituals, songs which took existence in slavery, not as hymns but as messages about the underground railroad in America. While acting and singing in England, he showed what America could produce with his varied talents and abilities. He became his people's hero before he died in 1976 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the government of this country was formed. He had a successful career and life due to his talent and knowledge. He never gave up, and brought glory and fame to those who gave him life and supported him along the way. The authors, McKissacks, have conections in Knoxville and Pulaski, Tennesse, but live in St. Louis. In high school, I was assigned Marion Anderson to write about for an essay in music class. She was perhaps a greater singer than Paul as she sang in Washington, D. C. for politicos. He, however, became a star in England and his memorable song in "Showboat" keeps his image alive for generations.