Black Jack: The Ballad of Jack Johnson - Charles R. Smith Jr. - Shane W. Evans

Black Jack: The Ballad of Jack Johnson by Charles R. Smith Jr. illus by Shane W. Evans

Smith tells the story of Jack Johnson the first Black Heavyweight champion of the world in verse.

Before Jack Johnson becomes the champion, he's a regular guy. Smith does a very good job of letting the reader know who Jack Johnson is outside of the ring. Jack Johnson the boxer was determined to get the opportunity to prove he was the best in the ring.

"But what Jack wanted most was to be a great man, so he challenged the times. But it was Jack who was challenged when he faced the color line."

At the time fighting was segregated but that didn't stop Johnson.

"So Jack chased the champ, from fight to fight, challenging Jim Jeffries to prove his might."

I was really looking forward to reading Black Jack. My expectation build up kept me from enjoying this one has much as I would've liked. I am a fan of Evan's style, Olu's Dream was one of my favorite picture books last year. In the case of a Jack Johnson biography, I would've liked more realistic illustrations of the fighter.

Though Black Jack wasn't for me, I think young readers will really enjoy it. There is a lot of movement in Smith's lyrical and visual text. Evan's draws Johnson in such a way that he comes across as smooth and strong. He appears larger than life, which is very appropriate for this biography. Smith includes additional information about Jack Johnson once the ballad is over

Smith and Evans talking about Black Jack @ publishers weekly

They Called Themselves the kkk - Susan Campbell Bartoletti

They Called Themselves the kkk by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

What's inside of this book, is as powerful as the cover image. The small print on the hood is "The birth of an American terrorist group" Someone with no knowledge of the klan could read this and easily understand its history. Someone who familiar with the klan could read this and appreciate the work and detail Baritoletti has put into her latest release.

Bartoletti follows a precise, timeline beginning in the Spring of 1865. In doing the upheaval America was quickly established. When the Civil War ended and Blacks were freed (air quotes) many Southren White people were scared their way of life would change. This lead six Confederate officers from Puaski, Tennessee to form a club that would soon become the kkk

Bartoletti unmasks the klan and the men behind it, from their secret codes, names and rankings. She also makes the reader wonder what would've happened if Abraham Lincoln wasn't assassinated.

"After Lincoln's death, Johnson took the oath of office. He began to reconstruct the Southern states on his own, without the help of Congress, which was not in session. Right away, he began to pardon Confederate soldiers and other supporters of the Confederate army."

The artwork is part photographs, part illustrations. On page 56 there is a photograph of man in a klans robe from the Reconstruction. On page 57 there is a photograph of W.E.B Du Bois. The art alone will give anyone much to think about.

This is one of the best non fiction books of the year. Bartoletti has not missed a thing. Her Civil Rights timeline, (6pgs), quotes cites (6pgs) and Bibliography and Source Notes (7pgs) are all very impressive and appreciated.

I didn't do this book justice, so please check out the except