Monday, April 3, 2017

Black History in its Own Words by Ron Wimberly



Angela Davis, Saul Williams, Laverne Cox.  Dave Chappelle, Spike Lee, Arturo Schomburg.  Shirley Chisholm.  Serena Williams.  Cheryl Dunye.  Ice T.  Katherine Johnson.  Jimi Hendrix.

bell hooks.

Each of these luminaries, along with twenty-six others, some more famous, some less, are featured in this handsome volume which takes a less-is-more approach, text-wise, and combines with a slick handmade aesthetic to make a book that is hard not to pick up and virtually unputdownable until it is over, too soon for this reader who would like to see at least five hundred more additions.  

Each two-page spread features a grey scale portrait of its subject, and includes a short quote within its brightly colored frame.  The adjacent page provides one or two simple and usually intriguing statements describing the subject and usually cites the source of the quote.  Intended for older teens, this title will be sure to engage many who profess they do not like to read.  Perfect for teachers and librarians seeking an entry point to discuss the citing of sources. --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Wimberly, Ron.  Black History in its Own Words.  Portland: Image Comics, 2017.  Print.


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