Toni Morrison (Black Amer) (Black Americans of Achievement) [Library Binding]

Douglas Century (Author), Nathan I. Huggins (Editor)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Series: Black Americans of Achievement

The story of the eighth American--and first black--Nobel Prize-winning author of such modern masterpieces as "Beloved, Sula, The Bluest Eye" and "Paradise" is told in vivid detail, from her beginnings in Lorain, Ohio, to some of her most recent accomplishments.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-An easy-to-read and entertaining look at the life of the African-American novelist and Nobel Prize winner. Century chronicles Morrison's full and productive career as educator, editor, mentor, mother, and writer. Her tutorial relationship with many of the prominent black leaders of the 1960s and '70s is explored. A strength of the book is the inclusion of information about how Morrison developed her works. Numerous black-and-white photographs show the subject at various stages of her life. A readable account that will also make a good reference source for report writers.
Valerie Childress, J.W. Holloway Middle School, Whitehouse, TX
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 8-12. Like Witcover's Zora Neale Hurston (1991), this is an excellent literary biography in the Black Americans of Achievement series. In a simple, direct style, Century talks about Morrison's life and career, culminating in her winning of the Nobel Prize. Best of all is his discussion of each of her novels, from The Bluest Eye to Jazz; he makes you want to read them and helps you to understand their themes and literary expression. His chapter on Beloved shows that, while Morrison did extensive research on the history of slavery, her story reaches far beyond documentation; she imagines the complicated lives of ordinary people, "these anonymous people called slaves." There are well-captioned photographs throughout and a brief bibliography and chronology; but, unfortunately, there are no source notes for the many wonderful quotes by and about this amazing writer. Hazel Rochman

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Library Binding: 103 pages
• Publisher: Chelsea House Publications (August 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791018776
• ISBN-13: 978-0791018774
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,691,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Douglas Century is the author of "Barney Ross: The Life of a Jewish Fighter" and "Street Kingdom: Five Years Inside of the Franklin Avenue Posse." He has coauthored several best-sellers, including "Takedown: The Fall of the Last Mafia Empire," with Rick Cowan, which was a Finalist for the Edgar Award - Best Fact Crime, and "If Not Now, When?" with Colonel Jack Jacobs (Retired), Recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.


Century's books have been featured and reviewed in many leading publications, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Wall Street Journal, Parade Magazine and Publisher's Weekly. They have received coverage on The Today Show, National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" and "This American Life," among many other radio and television programs.


Douglas Century is currently at work on a work of narrative nonfiction and an original screenplay adaptation of "Street Kingdom." He is a contributing editor at Tablet Magazine: A New Read on Jewish Life.