This outline of the accomplishments of the distinguished African-American astronomer and mathematician focuses on the landmark publication of his first almanac and an eloquent 1791 letter to Thomas Jefferson. Banneker protested ``the almost general prejudice and prepossession which is so previlent [sic] in the world against those of my complexion'' and criticized Jefferson for holding slaves, detained ``by fraud and violence,'' despite his claim, in the Declaration of Independence, that ``all men are created equal.'' The letter and Jefferson's reply were printed in Banneker's popular second almanac. Compared to the gracefully phrased excerpts of Banneker's and Jefferson's letters (Why not append the entire texts?), Andrea Pinkney's (Seven Candles for Kwanzaa, 1993, etc.) determinedly simple narrative seems choppy. Still, the text is serviceable; and Brian Pinkney's glowing paint-and-scratchboard illustrations vibrate with dignity and purpose. (Book-of-the-Month Club featured selection) (Biography/Picture book. 5-10)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1994
ISBN: 0-15-200417-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1994
The McKissacks tell the story of the first African-Americans in America in an addition to the Milestone Books series. Unfortunately, they take a straightforward story and make it confusing. They try to let young readers know that some of the black settlers were actually indentured servants, capable of earning freedom and owning property and slaves themselves. The most interesting story is of one Anthony Johnson, a servant who earns his freedom, marries, owns land, and eventually wins a lawsuit that returns his escaped black “servant” to him. Investigation into the Web sites provided by the authors makes it clear that Johnson owned a slave, not a “servant.” At times, the authors awkwardly address the reader directly—on the subject of slavery, for instance: “Reading about it too can be equally as stressful.” Or “remember, slaves were not slaves simply because they were Africans.” In other places, the vocabulary is too challenging for the intended audience. There are many stories in this volume that would make interesting history for the young reader; too bad they are sloppily combined into one choppy offering. (timeline, Web sites) (Nonfiction. 7-10)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-689-86149-4
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2003
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Writing in blank verse for no discernible reason, Borden profiles John Harrison, monomaniacal inventor of a “chronometer” that revolutionized navigation at sea. It’s a grand tale of lifelong dedication and justice delayed but done at last (there was a huge public award involved)—but it’s just been told for the same audience in Kathryn Lasky’s distinguished Man Who Made Time Travel, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (p. 535). Hawkes’s illustrations are broad, colorful, and sometimes comic, whereas Blegvad’s are more delicate, depicting harbor scenes, ornate clocks, and small figures in 18th-century dress, in a medley of fine-lined ink drawings and muted color. It’s a story worth telling, but because the two renditions cover largely the same territory, consider this one worthy, but not essential. (afterword) (Picture book/biography. 7-9)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-689-84216-3
Page Count: 48
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2003
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