Important Black Americans in Arts and Culture: ISBN 978-1-6782-0282-8 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0283-5
Important Black Americans in Business and Commerce: ISBN 978-1-6782-0284-2 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0285-9
Important Black Americans in Civil Rights and Politics: ISBN 978-1-6782-0286-6 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0287-3
Important Black Americans in Science and Invention: ISBN 978-1-6782-0288-0 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0289-7
Important Black Americans in Sports: ISBN 978-1-6782-0290-3 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0291-0
Booklist, January 1, 2023
Each volume in the Black Americans of Distinction series profiles five notable African Americans who have succeeded in a specific area. The books feature introductions that situate their topics within history and Black culture while also outlining obstacles and types of discrimination African Americans faced (and, in some situations, continue to deal with today). Subsequent chapters each run about 10 pages and address subjects individually, covering each person's childhood, education, career path, major accomplishments, and legacy. Pages are filled with photos, offset quotes, and sidebars. One theme running predominantly throughout the series is the significance of Black role models and mentors. In Arts and Culture, both Beyoncé and Amanda Gorman identify Maya Angelou as having had a huge impact on their lives. Angelou is also cited by Oprah Winfrey in her profile from Business and Commerce. In Civil Rights and Politics, Stacey Abrams includes Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth along with Fannie Lou Hamer as inspirations for her activism toward securing secure voting rights. Astronaut Mae Jemison, featured in Science and Invention, professes her admiration and friendship with Nichelle Nichols, the actress who played Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek. All the profiles are engaging and include fresh insights; each volume ends with extensive chapter notes and suggestions for further research. Current through early 2022, these accessible biographies shine a light on the achievements of Black Americans.
— Kathleen McBroom
Important Black Americans in Arts and Culture: ISBN 978-1-6782-0282-8 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0283-5
Important Black Americans in Business and Commerce: ISBN 978-1-6782-0284-2 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0285-9
Important Black Americans in Civil Rights and Politics: ISBN 978-1-6782-0286-6 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0287-3
Important Black Americans in Science and Invention: ISBN 978-1-6782-0288-0 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0289-7
Important Black Americans in Sports: ISBN 978-1-6782-0290-3 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0291-0
WASHYARG, May 1, 2023
This 5-book series presents biographies of important black Americans in these career groups: civil rights and politics, arts and culture, business and commerce, & science and invention. Each book starts with an introduction about that career area and the history of black Americans in that field–including some of the most famous ones. Each chapter presents a concise biography of how that black American impacted their topic area. Each book concludes with source notes, additional resources, an index, picture credits and author info. Also included are colorful photos and relevant sidebars with statistics and quotes about the different careers. The colorful layout and short chapters are appealing and will keep teens reading. These books are an important resource for all students and would be a welcome addition to any secondary library—even if the price is a bit much.
Recommended Age: Middle School, Junior High, High School
Sherri Ashlock, Nelson Middle School
Important Black Americans in Arts and Culture: ISBN 978-1-6782-0282-8 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0283-5
Important Black Americans in Business and Commerce: ISBN 978-1-6782-0284-2 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0285-9
Important Black Americans in Civil Rights and Politics: ISBN 978-1-6782-0286-6 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0287-3
Important Black Americans in Science and Invention: ISBN 978-1-6782-0288-0 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0289-7
Important Black Americans in Sports: ISBN 978-1-6782-0290-3 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0291-0
PA School Librarian Association, February 2, 2024
Judging from the sequence of chapters in two of the books, the authors present information in chronological order with in-depth explanation of the history and distinguished professionals attached to these fields. Interesting textboxes highlight special events or pertinent people. This series is an updated, worthy series focusing on well-known and lesser-known Black Americans. Includes Other Sources and index.
THOUGHTS: I read the Business and Commerce and Sports titles and found valuable information suitable for the middle-grade researcher.