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

~ Charles Sullivan (Author)

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.

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.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (October 10, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810931702
• ISBN-13: 978-0810931701
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,834,612 in Books (See Bestsellers 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 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)

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 Great Works, January 31, 2008

By	taslade1 "Tee" (CA) - See all my reviews

Poetry,Songs,and Other writing by over 27 authors such as
James Baldwin, Benjamin Banneker, Imamu Amiri Baaka, Arna Bontemps, Gwedolyn Brooks Margaret Danner, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B Du Bois, Boby Dylan, Mari Evans. Lorraine Hansberry, France E.W. Harper, Robert Hayden, Julia Ward Howe, Langston Hughes, Thomas Jefferson, James Weldon Johnson, Absalom Jones, Martin Luther King, Jr. Abraham Lincoln, Dudley Randall, Harry S Truman, Mark Twain, Margaret Walker, Booker T. Washingto, Phillis Wheatley, Walter Whitman and others.

Paintings, Drawings, Photographs, and other works of Art by over 30 people
a wondeful for children and adults alike.