The collaborators on Going Back Home (1997) return with a stunning history of African-American music. They begin 500 years ago, on the African continent, chronicle the slave trade, and document the work songs and spirituals of American slaves. The blues, ragtime, jazz, gospel, R&B, rock, funk, rap, and hip hop all come under scrutiny in free-verse poems that incorporate lyrics about and the rhythms of every style. In addition, Igus has added a brief description of each musical movement and a terrific timeline noting highlights of African-American history—both musical and more general information—which roots the whole book in a broader context. Wood’s vibrant paintings are based in historical detail, and resonate with emotion. The color choices, postures of the figures, as well as the expressions on their faces, reflect various aspects of African-American music; the pictures broadcast joy, innovation, and exuberance in the face of systematic oppression. A child hidden in each scene adds a nice piece of personality for readers to interpret. Stylish and lively design pulls it all together into an absorbing, attractive package. (Picture book. 7-9)
Pub Date: April 1, 1998
ISBN: 0-89239-151-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Children's Book Press
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1998
A second grader sees adults making mistakes, and helps one grown-up get it right in this predictable empowerment story, a sequel to Owen Foote, Second Grade Strongman (1996). After persuading overweight friend Joseph to join him for soccer tryouts, Owen has second thoughts: Not only are both of them bad-mouthed by a bully, but the coach, Dave, divides the “Aliens” into two teams according to ability. The members of the B team, including Joseph, rightly wonder if they’ll ever get into a real game. Owen considers quitting; instead, he calls Dave to explain how demoralizing the split is, and also picks up a bully-handling tip from a friendly seventh grader. Though she creates natural-sounding dialogue, and uses language and humor appropriate to her target audience, Greene focuses on Owen’s systematic problem-solving at the expense of plot, character development, even soccer action. By the end, Dave has apologetically reunited the Aliens, the bully is properly chastened, and Joseph turns out to be a natural goalie. With realistic black-and-white drawings to capture some of the action, this is a lightweight, neatly wrapped package of uplift. (Fiction. 7-9)
Pub Date: March 23, 1998
ISBN: 0-395-86143-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1998
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This droll debut by Shortt tells the story of the friendship between baseball's greatest slugger, Babe Ruth, and Issy Archer, the nine-year-old spitball-hurling whiz of the 1923 Yankees. Never were two players closer, but Issy has a secret: She wants to be a dancer. Her lessons cut into her out-of-ballpark time with Babe, and he feels left out. When she reveals her secret (``since you can't live without knowing''), Babe joins her at dance practice, and even performs some fancy footwork for the public. Years later, Issy teaches at a Parisian dance school, Le Corps de Ballet de Babe Ruth. Shortt melds light drama to crisp humor and graces the whole production with caricatures of Yankee greats. Beyond the Ty Cobb and Joe Dugan look-alikes, though, is a breezy story of the staunchness of friendship with all its glories and unintended hurts. (Picture book. 7-9)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1996
ISBN: 1-55209-030-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Firefly
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1996
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