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 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."
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 978-0061783746Change Has Come: An Artist Celebrates Our American Spirit. ISBN 1416989552
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. ISBN978-0786808328
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 978-1596435384Levin, Ellen. Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad. ISBN 978-0439777339