John Henry by Jerry Pinkney

John Henry

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lester, Julius. 1994. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. John Henry. New York, NY: Dial Books. ISBN 0803716079

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

American folklore would not be complete without the story of John Henry.  The animals in the forest are present for his birth, and his strength and speed as a grown man are legendary. When John Henry decides it is time to leave home, his father fives him two twenty-pound sledgehammers made of whale bone. On his journeys, John Henry challenges the railroad boss’ steam drill to determine who can hammer faster and longer – the steam drill, or john Henry.  The contest between the steam drill and John Henry proves to be his greatest triumph and teaches those around him that a well-lived life is the best victory of all.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Award winning duo Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney have added to their long list of prodigious children’s books. The story of John Henry is no less stunning than their previous collaborations.

Historically, the 1870s time frame of the story is accurate and conforms to the storyline.  The construction of the railroad was the predominate undertaking during the time that John Henry was purported to be alive.  Pinkney’s watercolor paintings use a natural palate of colors to illustrate the outdoor storyline. His paintings successfully convey a variety of ethnic backgrounds in the paintings without making it a defining part of the storyline.  However, if the reader looks closely, the boss of the railroad is Caucasian and many of the workers are of African American or Oriental descent.  This accurate reflection of the time period creates a sense of authenticity in the storyline.

One of the more interesting elements of the book is Lester’s use of dialect throughout the book.  While the use is not heavy handed, the consistent use of double negatives, informal contractions, and shorten words are readily apparent when reading the book out loud.  The use of this dialect does not seem stereo-typed and the use seems legitimate for the characters and the time frame. Even more so, the use of the dialect creates credibility in the storyline and characters.

The end of the story invites the reader to reflect upon John Henry’s life and how he chose to live it.  He is portrayed as a solid character who desires to live a good life.  His work ethic and physical strength are the foundation of the story and his ability to amicably interact with other people broadens the appeal of John Henry’s unselfish and mindful persona.

Overall, Lester and Pinkney have shared a timeless tale in a manner that all readers will be able to enjoy.  It is important to recognize that the end of the story may upset younger, more sensitive readers.  However, it is an excellent opportunity for adults to open a dialogue with children in regards to the last few pages of the book that propose that “what matters is how well you do your living.”

4.  REVIEW EXCERPTS 

• Caldecott Medal - Nominated 1995
• Boston Globe- Horn Book Awards - Won 1995
• Show Me Readers Award - Nominated 1997
• Golden Sower Award - Won 1997
• Land of Enchantment Book Award - Nominated 1998
• South Carolina ASL Book Award - Nominated 1997

Starred review from Publishers Weekly: "A great American hero comes fully to life in this epic retelling filled with glorious, detailed watercolors...This carefully crafted updating begs to be read aloud for its rich, rhythmic storytelling flow, and the suitably oversize illustrations amplify the text."

Starred review from Booklist: "...the story is told with rhythm and wit, humor and exaggeration, and with a heart-catching immediacy that connects the human and the natural world." 

Review from School Library Journal: "Told with just a trace of dialect, the story moves along briskly toward the climax. Its moral message of the importance of a well-lived life is clearly stated, and the ending is uplifting."

Review from Kirkus: "Pinkney's watercolors walk a smart and lovely line between ephemerality and sheer natural energy."

5.  CONNECTIONS

*Other books by Julius Lester

Uncle Remus.  ISBN 978-0803724518
Tales of Uncle Remus. ISBN 978-0142407202
Day of Tears.  ISBN 978-1423104094

*Other picture books written and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Noah's Ark.  ISBN 978-1587172014

Little Red Riding Hood. ISBN 978-0316013550

The Lion and the Mouse.  ISBN 978-0316013567

Heart and Soul, The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson

Heart and Soul, The Story of American and African Americans

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Nelson, Kadir. 2011. Heart and Soul, The Story of American and African Americans. New York, NY: Balzer + Bray. ISBN 978-0061730740

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This story is intended to be an introduction of the history of African Americans in the United States.  Kadir Nelson uses an anonymous, female narrator to share personalized versions of historic events. Everything from the abolition of slavery and the challenges of reconstruction to Jim Crow laws are covered in this expansive text.  The stories are not limited to political evens and include a section dedicated to African American inventors and innovators.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Award winning illustrator Kadir Nelson has created a stunning collection of short stories that when put together reproduce the history of African Americans in America. While not meant to be all-inclusive, the book does an excellent job of touching upon the important historical events that have shaped the African American experience in the United States.  

Nelsons's use of an anonymous, female narrator serves to gather the individual stories into one cohesive, historical collection.  Over half of the book is filled with Nelson's trademark oil paintings.  While there is far too much text to consider this a picture book, the substantial number of illustrations give the general impression of a book aimed at younger readers. However, the high quality paintings accurately depict many of the historical events and do more than simply support the words as they are truly the heart of the book.  The use of the word "colored" in paintings of women picketing for their right to vote aptly demonstrate the historical time frame of the book as much as, if not more, than the accompanying text. In addition, the paintings indicate the many changes that the African American community experienced over several hundred years; the paintings show children dressed as slaves and, conversely, Martin Luther King dressed in a suit.  These distinct changes in dress, as demonstrated in the paintings, assist the reader in visualizing the changes in the African American population that occurred in the last 200 years. 

This exceptional book accurately reflects the culture of the African American people and the changes that have occurred since being enslaved in the United States. The ever dynamic political changes and the resulting revolutions and altering mindsets that occur as as a result of the political climate flawlessly portray the lives of African Americans throughout the history of the United States.

Overall, the format is visually pleasing and will appeal to young readers and adults.  The use of the narrator produces a flowing story that reads like a fiction book, but in fact, provides many factual details that will educate the reader.

4.  REVIEW EXCERPTS 

• Coretta Scot King Award - Winner 2012
• Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book - Won 2011
• School Library Journal Best Books of the Year - Won 2011
• ALA Notable Books for Children - Won 2012
• California Book Awards - Nominated 2011
• Jane Addams Children's Book Award - Nominated 2012
• Audie Award (for audiobook) - Won 2012

Starred review from Publishers Weekly: "He handles this vast subject with easy grace... jaw-dropping portraits that radiate determination and strength...The images convey strength and integrity as he recounts their contributions, including "the most important idea ever introduced to America by an African American"—Dr. King's nonviolent protest. A tremendous achievement."

Starred review from School Library Journal: "Provocative and powerful, this book offers a much-needed perspective for individuals of all ages seeking to understand America’s past and present."

Starred review from Kirkus: "As with any work by this talented artist, the accompanying illustrations are bold and arresting. The dramatic oil paintings heighten the dignity of this story, whether they are of well-known historical figures, common folk or landscape."

Starred review from Booklist: "... Nelson effectively captures the roles of ordinary people in landmark events..."

Starred review from Horn Book: "A tour de force in the career of an author/artist who continues to outdo himself."

5.  CONNECTIONS

*Other books by Kadir Nelson

Neslon Mandela.  ISBN 978-0061783746
Change Has Come: An Artist Celebrates Our American Spirit. ISBN 1416989552
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball.  ISBN978-0786808328

*Other books that address African American history in the United States

Weatherford, Carole Boston.  Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom.  ISBN 978-0786851751
Levin, Ellen. Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad. ISBN 978-0439777339

Evans, Shane W., Francisco. Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom.  ISBN 978-1596435384

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

Feathers

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Woodson, Jacqueline. 2007. Feathers. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 978-0399239892

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

In the 1970s, an all-African American school enrolls a new student who happens to be light-skined and different than the other students. The students are all to aware of the new student's long blond hair and waste no time in pointing out his differences and nickname him "Jesus Boy."  Frannie is fascinated by the new boy because he knows sign language, but is still hesitant to befriend him.  After the new boy considers entering a physical altercation with the school bully, students begin to see him in a new light. Throughout the book, Frannie questions the presence of "Jesus Boy", how he affects her friends' faith and their out look on life.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Award winning and critically acclaimed author, Jacqueline Woodson focuses this book on the 1970s when desegration was required by law.  Historically, this is an important element because the appearance of a light skin boy would not necessarily give such pause to the other children in a story set in a different time frame.  However, this reaction clearly demonstrates that the setting of the story is in a neighborhood that is composed of predominantly African Americans.  The appearance of a light skinned child is outside of the norm and the children react in a manner that can almost be expected.

It is clear that Frannie has been deeply affected by her mother’s miscarriages and her brother’s deafness.  The inclusion of a disabled African American character creates a genuineness that can not be fabricated. There are no issues with the credibility of the characters and, for the most part, they are not written in a stereotypical or superficial manner.

Interestingly, the issues that the school bully, Trevor, has with the new student, “Jesus Boy” may very well be based on the fact that Trevor is no longer the lightest skinned student in the school.  This depiction of Trevor is indicative of the self-esteem issues that may arise from differences in physical characteristics indicative of racial background.

Some of the underlying meaning may be lost of younger readers, and possibly even older readers. While older readers may grasp that Woodson was attempting promote hope, the younger readers that are drawn to the relatively short, 118 page book will undoubtedly not grasp this idea. Overall, the book was well-written, but it is possible that Jacqueline Woodson’s previous novels have made this book more successful that it deserves.

4.  REVIEW EXCERPTS 

• Newbery Award - Honor 2008
• ALA Notable Books for Children - Winner 2008
• Georgia Children's Book Award - Nominated 2009
• Garden State Teen Book Award - Nominated 2010
• Brooklyn Public Library Mock Newbery - Honor 2008

Starred review from Publishers Weekly: "Woodson's novel skillfully weaves in the music and events surrounding the rising opposition to the Vietnam War, giving this gentle, timeless story depth. She raises important questions about God, racial segregation and issues surrounding the hearing-impaired with a light and thoughtful touch."

Starred review from School Library Journal: "With her usual talent for creating characters who confront, reflect, and grow into their own persons, Woodson creates in Frannie a strong protagonist who thinks for herself and recognizes the value and meaning of family. The story ends with hope and thoughtfulness while speaking to those adolescents who struggle with race, faith, and prejudice. They will appreciate its wisdom and positive connections."

Starred review from Booklist: "There's a lot going on in this small, fast-moving novel that introduces big issues--faith, class, color, prejudice, family, disability, and friendship. Woodson tells her story with immediacy and realism..."

5.  CONNECTIONS

*Other books by Jacqueline Woodson

Beneath a Meth Moon.  ISBN 978-0142423929
After Tupac and D Foster.  ISBN 978-0142413999

Hush.  ISBN 978-0142415511

*Other books that address racial issues experienced by teenagers

Neri, Randy Duburke.  Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty.  ISBN 978-1584302674
Volponi, Paul. Black and White. ISBN 978-0142406922

Jimenez, Francisco. Breaking Through.  ISBN 978-0618342488

*Book Trailer
Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson