Nelson Mandela (The First Names Series)

by Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl, Nicole Miles (Illustrator)

Overview

Now in paperback, meet the South African activist and president who fought for what was right!

Before he was the first Black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela (1918–2013) was a boy with a traditional Thembu upbringing. He went on to study law and become involved with African nationalist politics. The government had established an apartheid (a system of segregation that privileged white people), and Mandela worked to overthrow this system. He was arrested, accused of treason, and thrown in jail. When he was released, Mandela negotiated an end to the apartheid and was elected president. Though he was a controversial figure at the time, he is now seen as an iconic advocate for democracy and social justice. Inspiring and informational, Nelson Mandela tells the story of one of the greatest politicians and revolutionaries. It includes a timeline, glossary, and index.

First Names is a highly illustrated nonfiction series that puts readers on a first-name basis with some of the most incredible people in history and of today!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419749629
Publisher:	Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	03/29/2022
Series:	Abrams First Names Series
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.62(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Nansubuga Isdahl was born to Ugandan parents in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After receiving a master’s degree in diplomacy, she began working in international development in East and Southern Africa. She currently works as a technical writer and editor for international organizations as well as a children’s book author. She lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband and daughter.

Table of Contents

Introduction-Nelson Arrives at the Great Place 1

1 Nelson Is Named 5

2 Nelson Gets Some Boots 24

3 Nelson Heads for the City 36

4 Nelson Joins the Fight 50

5 Nelson Stirs Things Up 64

6 Nelson Goes on Trial 78

7 Nelson Undercover 96

8 Nelson Makes His Plea 106

9 Nelson Casts His First Vote 126

Epilogue 144

Pronunciation Guide 146

Timeline 148

Glossary 152

Notes 154

Bibliography 154

Index 155

Editorial Reviews

**STARRED REVIEW**
"With black-and-white line drawings and a layout that incorporates traditional text with touches of comics, this biography is engrossing. . .This extensively researched and passionately told biography is an incredible resource."

—Kirkus Reviews

"While he is lauded as a hero, Mandela is also humanized, his mistakes given as much space as his accomplishments. . .The illustrations are sure to grab and maintain reader interest and enhance accessibility." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

12/01/2021

Gr 4–7—His real first name was Rolihlahla, meaning "tree-shaker" or "troublemaker." When seven-year-old Rolihlahla Mandela went to a British-style school, his teacher gave him the "proper" English name of Nelson to replace his "inferior" African name. This detailed biography covers his entire life, taking time to explore the myriad events that led to his being the face of the anti-apartheid movement. While he is lauded as a hero, Mandela is also humanized, his mistakes given as much space as his accomplishments. The book is heavily illustrated with comics-like figures that portray events and offer additional information and humorous asides. The illustrations are sure to grab and maintain reader interest and enhance accessibility. They also effectively drive home the realities of the horrible working, living, and prison conditions Mandela and others endured. Frequent sidebars and text boxes offer diagrams or outlines and efficiently explain difficult concepts like the racial divisions in South Africa, apartheid, and civil disobedience. One potential area of confusion is direct quotes: while some readers may believe comments in the word bubbles are quotations, the vast majority are not. A note on the copyright page indicates that direct quotes are italicized, but neither that nor the italics are sufficiently highlighted.A pronunciation guide, time line, glossary, quote attributions, and bibliography constitute the back matter. Recommend to fans of Penguin Workshop's "Who Was?" series who want something a little more challenging. VERDICT This engaging and comprehensive biography is recommended for general purchase.—Elizabeth Lovsin, Deerfield P.L., IL

School Library Journal

★ 2021-07-14
A middle-grade biography of Nelson Mandela brings this globally inspiring leader to life for young readers.

With black-and-white line drawings and a layout that incorporates traditional text with touches of comics, this biography is engrossing. It opens in 1930, as 12-year-old Mandela is sent to the residence of the acting king of the Thembu people, a brush with royalty that would lay the groundwork for his life’s journey. The narrative includes context about the history of colonization of South Africa and the racial structure of the society, allowing readers to gain an understanding of Mandela’s life. Much of the book centers on Mandela’s early life: his adoption into the royal family upon his father’s sickness, learning the great narratives of South African history that countered what he was taught in school, and experiencing Xhosa rites of passage. Isdahl describes how Mandela was affected by the demoralizing pass laws designed to ensure a steady supply of cheap workers for White farmers, as well as other racially oppressive rules and laws pervasive during that time. Readers learn how, in the 1940s, Mandela joined the fight against apartheid, putting his talents and legal skills to work for the African National Congress. The harsh conditions that led to Mandela’s struggle are made clear, making his long-delayed victory all the sweeter.

This extensively researched and passionately told biography is an incredible resource. (pronunciation guide, timeline, glossary, notes, bibliography, index) (Biography. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews