Plot Summary
The history of America from the 1500s to the present day is told through the eyes of an African American "Everywoman." Using information gathered from various members of his own family, Nelson takes the reader on a tragic, but inspiring, journey through the struggles and achievements of America and African Americans.
Critical Analysis
"Have you ever used an ironing board? Sat in a folding chair? Used a dustpan? Ridden in a convertible or on a horse saddle? Read an almanac? Used a fountain pen that did not require dipping it into an inkwell? Sat at a traffic light? Seen a gas mask? Used a golf tee? ... Most people don't know that all of these things were invented by or improved by black folks." Nelson brings interesting facts and historical figures and events in vivid color through the pages of Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans.
Nelson brings American history to life through the eyes of his grandmother, who remains unnamed throughout the story. You can hear his thought process for this book at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0VzAL3WnGY. He talks about the time he spent in researching photographs so that his paintings would be authentic for the time period. In the author's note, Nelson describes how he interviewed the oldest members of his family and brought their recollections together as if the narrator is telling about her family. In addition to his interviews, the bibliography cites 28 resources as further research. Nelson includes a timeline which spans historical events from 1565 to 2009. Nelson spent countless hours to ensure the authenticity of Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans.
Nelson is known for his quality illustrations. His first illustration is of his grandmother at age 10 or 11 in her white Easter dress. The story is narrated in its entirety by her in a very colloquial and charming style with several "chiles" and "honeys" thrown in. Her hair is pulled tight and tied with a large white bow in the back. Nelson's second illustration is his rendition of The Baptism of Pocahontas by John Gadsby. An elderly black man with plaited hair is looking at the painting wondering why Indians and white men are shown in a painting depicting America's history; however, there is not one black person anywhere in the scene. Other illustrations show men in the dress of the Colonial War period. Enslaved persons on a ship appear to be clad in nothing but a chain around their necks. The men have shaved heads and the women are wearing their hair in a short afro. There are far too many illustrations to describe each one individually.
Skin tones throughout the book range from very dark to very light. Most of the illustrations are labeled to explain the time period or event depicted. Very few of the illustrations are of famous people in history: the majority of the portraits are common folks experiencing the events of that time period. However, the recognizable historical figures include: George Washington, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Booker T. Washington, Joe Louis Barrow, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson, and Rosa Parks. For the most part, the dress for the black men and women is business casual to semi-formal. Men are in dress shirts with dress pants or suits and the women are in dresses. Those in the armed forces are shown in the uniforms appropriate for the time period. Although the illustrations don't depict it, the text stated that, in the modern era, the younger generation started wearing their hair longer and their clothes became louder and more colorful. The background for the illustrations are varied, from the middle of a corn field to inside Southern Woolworth's Café. Regardless of the person or the setting, the look in the eyes of these men, women, boys, and girls is one of determination to make a better life for their people and hope for a brighter future for America.
Nelson included an index if the reader wished to easily find a particular person or event. Each chapter could be read separately if the reader so chose. Words such as "abolitionist," "suh," "underground railroad," "Negro," "Freedmen," "Buffalo Soldiers," "Tuskegee Airmen," "Klansmen," "Civil War," "Reconstruction," and "Jim Crow laws" point to the culture and time period of Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans. Music for the African American culture included big bands, jazz, electric guitars, and loud drums with singers such as James Brown and Sam Cooke. Spirituals were sung in the early history of African Americans for the purpose of lifting each other's spirits and to pass secret messages to each other through song.
Nelson has packed Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans with over 400 years of historical data. Yet, at no time does the reader feel overwhelmed with all of this information. The use of the narrator makes the readers feel as if they are on a private tour through the hallowed and harrowing halls of history. Nelson doesn't spare the details of the lynchings, burnings, and beatings endured by the African American people and even some white people who tried to help them. The reader is compelled with the overwhelming desire to help the black man escape the immoralities of the Jim Crow laws. Readers also wanted to cheer when, in the first round of the boxing match, Louis Barrow KO'd the "supreme" German fighter who Hitler knew would show the world that African Americans were an inferior race.
Many people fought to make America a better place. According to Nelson, one of the most powerful and influential men of the civil rights movement was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His weapons of choice were peaceful protests and words of inspiration. Although an assassin's bullet stopped him from seeing the world of which he dreamed, his legacy still lives on today. Readers can be inspired by these brave men and women who overcame enormous obstacles and achieved greatness. Regardless of the color of one's skin, the lack of wealth, or oppression one faces, anything is possible for those who dare to dream.
Awards and Honors
Inspiring Work of Nonfiction United States
Coretta Scott King Book Award, 2012 Honor Book Illustrator United States
Coretta Scott King Book Award, 2012 Winner Author United States
Jane Addams Children's Book Award, 2012 Honor Book Older Children United
States
Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 2012 Recommended
Book United States
School Library Journal's Battle of the Kids' Books, 2012 Nominee United States
Society of Illustrators Original Art Award, 2011 Silver Medal United States
Review Excerpts
"This intimate narrative makes the stories accessible to young readers and powerfully conveys how personal this history feels for many African-Americans." — Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 2011
"With such a broad time frame, there is a lot to fit into 108 pages, but Nelson effectively captures the roles of ordinary people in landmark events ("We called ourselves the Freedom Riders") while presenting famous leaders who changed the world, from Frederick Douglass and Rosa Parks to Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and, finally, President Barack Obama." — Booklist, August 2011
"Provocative and powerful, this book offers a much-needed perspective for individuals of all ages seeking to understand America's past and present.'" — School Library Journal, September 2011
Other Books Written and Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Nelson Mandela
We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Lead Her People to Freedom
Visit his website for more information: http://kadirnelson.com/
Book Connections
The Rise & Fall Of Jim Crow: The African-American Struggle Against
Discrimination, 1865-1954 by Richard Wormser
Discrimination, 1865-1954 by Richard Wormser
A Dream of Freedom: The Civil Rights Movement from 1954 to 1968 by Diane
McWhorter
McWhorter
Freedom's Children: Young Civil Rights Activists Tell Their Own Stories by Ellen
Levine
Levine
Connection Activities
- Listen to Dr. Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream [Sound Recording]: Original Address from the March on Washington, August 1963. New York: 20th Century Fox Records, [1968-9]. Have the students draw a picture of their dream world.
- Separate the class into groups to discuss the various Jim Crow laws and answer the following questions. What would it have been like to live under the Jim Crow laws? Why were these laws created? What is you opinion of the laws? Have each group present their ideas to the class. For information on the Jim Crow laws visit http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/what.htm.
This was a well written review. I might add its title to my required reading list for GED class.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I like the fact that you included the author's development of "Everywoman's" view and that you mentioned some of the contributions that African Americans have made in society. It was very well researched and written. Thank you, Rebecca!
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