Throughout her life, Mary McLeod Bethune worked tirelessly to increase women's opportunities, from education to the military to the right to vote. Learn about how her activism led her to the White House as a consultant for several presidents. Additional features include detailed captions and sidebars, critical-thinking questions, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research. - (Child's World)

Horn Book Guide Reviews

These biographies of notable African Americans from the past and present may help readers obtain a basic appreciation for each figure, but they provide incomplete portraits. Professional accomplishments are noted, while personal lives are virtually ignored. The brief, prosaic texts are livened by abundant historical reproductions and photographs in both black and white and color. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind. Copyright 2001 Horn Book Guide Reviews

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 3-6-These books place their subjects in the context of our country's history. Jones covers Bethune's life, the Civil Rights Movement, the role of women in American society, and educational reform. The history of ragtime is an important part of Scott Joplin's story. March on Washington discusses the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King Jr.'s important role. While all three books will serve as introductions to their subjects, they may leave readers with some unanswered questions. Bethune reads more like a list of accomplishments than a fully developed biography. Scott Joplin has some eye-catching photographs but several are not identified. In March, it's mentioned that the first black labor union was the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters without an explanation, and it jumps from a discussion of the NAACP to CORE in less than 100 words. These informative but dry titles include lots of inviting period photographs and reproductions.-Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 5–7—To say "Lincoln freed the slaves" is too simplistic to be real history. Students should learn the actual reasons for his actions. Black Americans have withstood horrific conditions throughout American history and these books speak to their heartbreaking struggles and considerable triumphs. The writing is approachable and the texts are evenhanded. Period photos, drawings, and maps are generous. Historical illustrations are devastating at times, such as a boy drinking out of a "colored" water fountain or a poster advertising enslaved people for sale. Photos of archival documents such as the Emancipation Proclamation are included. Back matter includes a "Think About It" box, with questions for further thought about the subject at hand. This series was clearly painstakingly researched, but one quibble is there are no source notes. VERDICT This is true Black American history everyone should know about. Highly recommended for schools and public libraries.