Pathfinders

Starred review from November 14, 2016
In an immersive series of brief, chronological biographies, Bolden (Capital Days) highlights 16 pioneering African-American men and women, beginning with Venture Smith—the son of a West African prince who was sold into slavery, freed himself and his family, and fought during the Revolutionary War—and concluding with mathematician and NASA researcher Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson. Detailed descriptions and sidebars offer rich portraits of each person’s life and era, and period illustrations and photographs lend further depth to figures who will likely be unfamiliar to many readers, including soprano Sissieretta Jones, banker Maggie Lena Walker, and WWI combat pilot Eugene Bullard. While recognizing these individuals’ accomplishments, Bolden makes it clear that countless other innovative and brave black citizens blazed trails alongside them. Ages 10–14. Agent: Jennifer Lyons, Jennifer Lyons Literary.

Starred review from November 1, 2016
In 16 minibiographies, Bolden tells the stories of little-known African-Americans who "had big, bold dreams. Pursued passions. Caught up with their callings." A good portion of American history is related through historical sketches arranged chronologically. The volume opens with the story of Venture Smith. Captured from his West African village and transported by slaver to America, Smith grew up in bondage, but he eventually bought his and his family's freedom and built a house, a boatyard, and a farm in the village of Haddam Neck, Connecticut. The pageant of fascinating historical characters continues with a magician, a physician, a female Civil War spy, a pioneer, a concert singer, a race car driver, a mathematician, a cartoonist, and others. The colorful volume uses photographs, advertisements, fliers, theater posters, engravings, and cartoons to great effect, each well captioned and complemented by sidebars that add historical context. An epilogue points out the changes in America since Venture Smith arrived, including the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, and the Brown v. Board of Education case that struck down government-sanctioned segregation in schools. A full-page color photograph of dancer Misty Copeland concludes the volume, representing the "new odysseys...in the offing." A lively volume and an excellent approach to U.S. history. (glossary, source notes, bibliography, image credits, acknowledgments, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

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Starred review from November 1, 2016

Gr 5-8-The lives of 16 fascinating and innovative black men and women are given due recognition in this masterly work. Bolden makes use of a variety of features to convey information in an accessible yet deeply enlightening manner. For instance, sidebars titled "In His/Her Time" provide historical context without burdening the main text with lengthy exposition. With a variety of subjects in different fields, from a magician to a mathematician, a bank founder to a race car driver, there is plenty of fresh report material within these pages. The clean layout and the smart design make for a book that is not only expertly researched but attractive as well. (Each chapter receives its own color palette, visually linking the content within that section together.) VERDICT Teachers and librarians seeking to further develop their history and biography collections will be thrilled with this fine offering.-Erinn Black Salge, Saint Peter's Prep, Jersey City, NJ

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2016
Grades 5-8 This collective biography presents a great deal of information on a variety of people and discusses them with insight and well-chosen details. The subjects are 16 African Americans whose names are unfamiliar to most readers today. Arranged chronologically, these include eighteenth-century magician Richard Potter, Civil War spy Mary Bowser, Colorado pioneer Clara Brown, bank founder Maggie Lena Walker, WWI aviator Eugene Bullard, and cartoonist Jackie Ormes. The first double-page spread of each chapter includes a large illustration (usually a portrait) and an opening paragraph or two in relatively large type. On the pages that follow, the blocks of smaller-print text may look a bit intimidating to kids, although the generous use of white space, color, and pictures within the layout gives an inviting look to the pages overall. Illustrations include many sepia-toned archival photos as well as more colorful drawings, paintings, and prints such as engravings and posters. A well-researched book introducing a varied group of African Americans who excelled in their own, individual ways.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)