Friday, September 26, 2008

Ida B. Wells: Let The Truth Be Told Walter Dean Myers Bonnie Christensen



Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told - Myers, Walter Dean, Christensen, Bonnie- Myers and Christensen have collaborated to create a great biography about Ida B. Wells. Myers begins with Ida's birth in 1862 in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Picture book biographies come across as chopping to me when the author doesn't transition well through the different stages of life and tries to fit in too much information. Myers does not have this problem. He gives us a clear sense of Ida at every stage in her life. Christensen muted illustrations are a perfect fit. I love the detail to Ida B. Wells face. As Ida grows older the face changes are subtle, allowing us to see five year old Ida in 50 year old Ida.
A few things we learn about Ida B. Wells
Yellow fever killed for parents and brother
She sued the railroad for forcing her to sit in the smoking car
Organized one of the first economic boycotts
Spoke out against lynching
Created the first voting organization for black women in the state of Illinois
There is a timeline included in the back and behind that the words of Ida B. Wells. Before reading this all I knew about Ida B. Wells is she traveled the country to speak out against lynching. Now I have a better idea of who Ida B. Wells was and how much she contributed to this country.
Also reviewed at Black Threads in Kid Lit http://blackthreadsinkidslit.blogspot.com/2008/07/ida-b-wells-let-truth-be-told-by-walter.html
Ida B. Wells Let the truth be told -Comes out October 28

1 comment:

Barrie said...

There's a link to you on today's Class of 2k8 blog!
http://classof2k8.blogspot.com/