Black History Heroes: Chadwick Boseman: King of Wakanda: A Hero On and Off the Screen

by Chris Singleton, Ryan G. Van Cleave (Editor), Adriana Pérez Perales (Illustrator)

Overview

Chadwick Boseman, King of Wakanda, A Hero On and Off the Screen, shows the power of grit, perseverance, and character in a dynamic biography for kids.

★ “This empowering and engaging middle grade biography series about Black changemakers gets off to a strong start.....Strongly recommended for juvenile nonfiction collections.”—School Library Journal, starred review

★ “The book beautifully chronicles Boseman's struggles and triumphs….Readers will be enraptured with this magnificent tribute to the life of Chadwick Boseman, who was a true hero that anyone could look up to.”—Booklist, starred review

2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book Winner

From Howard University to the red carpet at the Academy Awards, from James Brown to the Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman was a talented and multi-award-winning actor and performer. Prior to his death from colon cancer in 2020, Boseman's rise to fame might have seemed overnight to some, but decades of hard work and dedication to his craft brought him to the highest levels an actor can achieve.

An inspiration to millions, the life of Chadwick Boseman is indeed proof that Black history matters.

Black History Heroes shares the lives and inspirations of black men and women who changed the world, yesterday, today, and for tomorrow. Written by acclaimed, former pro-baseball player, inspirational speaker, and author Chris Singleton

​

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781638191773
Publisher:	Bushel & Peck Books
Publication date:	05/07/2024
Series:	Black History Heroes , #1
Pages:	104
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)
Lexile:	1070L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 10 Years

About the Author

Chris Singleton is an inspirational speaker and former professional baseball player. He travels the country sharing a message of unity and love to more than 50,000 students annually. Chris’s speech on overcoming hate with love has been seen or shared millions of times and has led to him being featured on Lifetime, ESPN E:60, USA Today, CNN, and Fox News. Chris is a proud father to his three children, CJ, Caden, and Carter, and a proud husband to his high school sweetheart, Mariana. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina.

Editorial Reviews

STARRED REVIEW  This empowering and engaging middle grade biography series about Black changemakers gets off to a strong start. The first releases center Black Panther actor and activist Chadwick Boseman and Dr. Mae Jemison, the first Black female astronaut to go to space. Boseman and Jemison excelled in so many areas—sports, the arts, and STEM to name a few—that children are bound to be interested in and inspired by their stories. The authors expertly weave quotes from the subjects with biographical information, creating an engaging and conversational narrative. Short chapters move the text along quickly. Resources follow each chapter, which include a glossary of terms and concepts, reflection questions, and world events happening at various points in the person’s history. These sometimes seem extraneous, but the other elements will help readers process and make connections to the text. End notes include a master glossary, time line, and selected bibliography. Black-and-white, comic-style illustrations infuse the dynamic text with even more life.VERDICT Strongly recommended for juvenile nonfiction collections.

STARRED REVIEW  This biography in the Black History Heroes series (2 titles) offers an in-depth view into the life of Chadwick oseman, the beloved actor best known for playing Black Panther. Boseman initially dreamed of being a professional basketball star but encountered a turning point when he wrote and performed a play honoring a high-school friend who was killed. The book beautifully chronicles Boseman's struggles and triumphs throughout his college and acting career, from the stage to the big screen. Boseman's dedication, kindness, and talent shine throughout this introspective and simply written account, which also highlights many of the Black icons whom Boseman portrayed (James Brown, Jackie Robinson, and Thurgood Marshall). Singleton thoughtfully discusses the impact of Boseman's philanthropy, his fight for justice throughout his life, and his secret battle with cancer. Each chapter includes quotes from Boseman, "Words to Know," questions to spark deeper thinking, and more. Readers will be enraptured with this magnificent tribute to the life of Chadwick Boseman, who was a true hero that anyone could look up to.

From the Publisher