Paul Robeson

by Eloise Greenfield, George Ford (Illustrator)

Overview

Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor - American Library Association (ALA)

An updated and redesigned edition of an award-winning biography of Paul Robeson, who overcame racial discrimination to become an international entertainer and civil rights activist. Includes a new introduction and afterword by the author, focusing on Robeson's legacy.

Paul Robeson, born in 1898 and the son of a pastor, learned from his father to love written and spoken words, to be proud of being black, and to stand up for what he believed was right. These were the things that guided Paul throughout his life.

After achieving academic and athletic success in school, Paul gained fame as a singer and an actor. His talent and his deep, rich voice won him fans and admirers worldwide. But as he traveled the globe for performances, Robeson became disturbed by the poverty and injustices he saw. In the 1940s and 1950s he began speaking out and fighting for freedom. Such activism was not tolerated, and Robeson came to be considered an enemy by the United States government.

With dignity and a dynamic spirit, Paul Robeson-athlete, actor, singer, and civil rights activist-stayed true to himself and took a stand for his beliefs. A new generation of readers will soon be introduced to this courageous man.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781600602627
Publisher:	Lee & Low Books
Publication date:	04/01/2009
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.25(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	810L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

Eloise Greenfield is a celebrated poet and the author of more than forty books of fiction, poetry and biography for children, including the Coretta Scott King Award winner Africa Dream, The Coretta Scott King Award Honor books Mary McLeod Bethune and Childtimes: A Three Generation Memoir, co-written with her mother. Greenfield is the recipient of the Hope S. Dean Award from the Foundation for Children's Literature, and the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. She has received the Hurston/Wright Foundation's North Star Award for Lifetime Achievement, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Moonstone Celebration of Black Writing, and has an Honorary Doctor of Education Degree from Wheelock College in Boston. Greenfield has also been inducted into the International Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent. She lives in Washington, D.C.

George Ford is an award-winning artist who has illustrated dozens of children's books, including several by noted authors such as Nikki Grimes, Eloise Greenfield, Nikki Giovanni, and Robert Coles. In 1974, he was the recipient of the first Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for Ray Charles. A lifelong jazz enthusiast, Ford lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife.

Editorial Reviews

"This book offers a fully developed portrayal of [Paul Robeson]." — School Library Journal

"This thoughtful biography of [Paul Robeson's] life and work has a timely appeal and provides an engaging introduction to a bygone era in American history. The text is accompanied by stark black-and-white illustrations that provide a graceful balance." — The Bloomsbury Review

"This book for children on Paul Robeson does a fine job . . . in summarizing the main accomplishments of Robeson's life. He excelled in sports, academics, acting, and singing. He had wanted to become a lawyer but was prevented from doing so because of racism. The book doesn't shrink from addressing some of the hard facts of Robeson's life. . . Recommended." — Rhapsody in Books Blog

"Robeson's life story is well told and expertly contextualized. Greenfield explores the many difficult issues—racism, blacklisting, death of loved ones—faced by this remarkable man. Robeson's great strengths and artistic expression are also examined. The black-and-white acrylic illustrations are subtle and beautifully shaded." — The Horn Book

Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor - American Library Association (ALA)

Best Children's Books of the Year Outstanding - Bank Street College of Education
Jane Addams Children's Book Award - Jane Addams Peace Association

From the Publisher

Gr 2-5

The legendary activist, singer, and actor receives a fitting update to Greenfield's stirring 1975 biography (HarperCollins, o.p.). From his father's escape from slavery to Robeson's rise in celebrity and stature, the purposeful text highlights the monumental influences on this man's multifaceted life. Robeson's outcry against racism abroad and his subsequent struggle under McCarthyism reveal the tumultuous conditions during the Civil Rights Movement. Succinct phrases depict the public's faltering opinion of Robeson's controversial beliefs and his perseverance in the face of adversity. Vibrant, monochromatic acrylic illustrations from the original edition use shading and depth to convey tremendous emotion. Powerful movements and vivid expressions enhance the narrative. Against a rich, cream background, fluid lines convey a bold intensity. An updated afterword describes the activist's numerous posthumous accolades, including his Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. This book offers a fully developed portrayal of the man.-Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

School Library Journal