From School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up--This biography is about a little-known figure in African-American history. Born to an ex-slave mother and a white immigrant father from Ireland, Maggie Lena Walker began life in Richmond, Virginia, in 1867, at a tremendous disadvantage. She endured poverty and the murder of her stepfather, acquired an education, became a teacher, and achieved prominence in the fight against racial intolerance. Walker is best remembered as the founder and administrative head of the oldest continuously operated black bank in America. Branch and Rice do a creditable job of capturing Walker's eventful life. Yet, the text is curiously flat, giving only a bare-bones outline and failing to provide a fleshed-out look at this remarkable African-American woman. Still, this is a book worth considering because of its important topic. Black-and-white photos are scattered throughout.
Carol Jones Collins, Montclair Kimberley Academy,
Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
