Journalist Ida B. Wells faces the greatest challenge of her life as a tireless crusader for justice and civil rights.In 1863, when Ida B. Wells was not yet two years old, the Emancipation Proclamation
Journalist Ida B. Wells faces the greatest challenge of her life as a tireless crusader for justice and civil rights.
In 1863, when Ida B. Wells was not yet two years old, the Emancipation Proclamation freed her from the bond of slavery. Blessed with a strong will, an eager mind, and a deep belief in America?s promise of ?freedom and justice for all,? young Ida held her family together, defied society?s conventions, and used her position as a journalist to speak against injustice. But Ida?s greatest challenge arose after one of her friends was lynched. How could one headstrong young woman help free America from the looming ?shadow of lawlessness??
Author Philip Dray tells the inspirational story of Ida B. Wells and her lifelong commitment to end injustice. Award-winning illustrator Stephen Alcorn?s remarkable illustrations recreate the tensions that threatened to upend a nation while paying tribute to a courageous American hero.
?Alcorn?s ink-and-watercolor illustrations have a fluid quality, conveying both action within the story and movement from one scene to the next. The use of warm colors and fanciful elements help to mute the harsh realities of lynching and segregation, while still maintaining a respectful tone. Appended with notes on Well?s later life, a time line, and bibliography, this makes a good choice for middle-grade readers studying the early period of the civil rights movement.?
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?An excellent picture-book biography? Alcorn?s inventive, imaginative artwork softens the violence without minimizing it.?
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?Alcorn?s striking, symbol-infused hand-colored prints on creamy vellum get star billing? Author notes, a timeline and more enhance this age-appropriate introduction to difficult issues and the woman who educated the world about them.?
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?In this stirring tribute to an African-American journalist? Adding strong notes of reverence to the narrative, Alcorn?s big cubist paintings center on Wells? Capped by a well-chosen list of additional resources at several levels, this handsomely packaged introduction to one of the most important progenitors of the Civil Rights Movement is just the ticket for young readers not yet ready to tackle the Fradins? definitive profile.?
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