01/15/2024
Born in Mississippi just a few months shy of the Emancipation Proclamation, suffragist Ida B. Wells (1862–1931) experiences what is “not a perfect freedom”—growing up in a Black family denied the right to vote. After Wells’s father is fired for voting even after the 15th Amendment makes it legal, Johnson writes, Wells follows her parents’ example and “always tried to do the right thing.” She becomes a teacher to care for her surviving siblings after their parents’ deaths, decries the evils of lynching via newspaper articles, and organizes the alpha Suffrage Club, which sought to secure Black women the vote. Traveling to Washington, D.C., for a 1913 march to demand the right to vote for women, and relegated to the rear of the parade, Wells boldly winds her way to the front of the crowd, “marching, marching, marching for the vote.” Jordan’s stylized oil on cloth artwork gives a handmade feel to this account of one woman’s courageous acts. An author’s note concludes. Ages 5–9. (Jan.)
Praise for Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote: "[Ida B. Wells] is featured in this picture-book biography for another one of her passionate causes: women’s suffrage. Jordan’s colorful oil paintings set decisive scenes. Johnson’s thoughtful, short descriptions emphasize Wells' character with refrains like 'That was a bold thing to do.' Johnson details more of Ida’s courage as she takes a prominent place among the marchers to represent Black women, too. Concluding photos, an author’s note, and a time line add historical context to Ida B. Wells’ multifaceted fight for civil rights." —Booklist
"A tribute to a tireless African American journalist and crusader for social justice…. The bold stare Wells directs out from the climactic final scene challenges viewers to realize that when it comes to gender and racial equality, there’s still work to be done. Young activists in search of role models will find much to admire in this tough, courageous woman."—Kirkus Reviews
"Johnson writes with the conviction of Ida B. Wells and her inherent beliefs about right and wrong…. Johnson is careful to lay the groundwork for her subject’s many fine moments…. Until her name is as familiar as Abraham Lincoln’s, we can’t have too many books about Wells."—School Library Journal
"Traveling to Washington, D.C., for a 1913 march to demand the right to vote for women, and relegated to the rear of the parade, Wells boldly winds her way to the front of the crowd, 'marching, marching, marching for the vote.' Jordan’s stylized oil on cloth artwork gives a handmade feel to this account of one woman’s courageous acts."—Publishers Weekly
"Johnson’s compelling text tells the inspirational true story of a Black suffragist who fought injustice all her life…. Jordan’s skillfully crafted oil on cloth illustrations effectively capture the historical era in which Wells lived and the determination she showed regardless of the challenge. The detailed back matter—including an author’s note, a timeline, photographs, and source notes—offers young readers ample resources for learning more about a person and history that all young people should know."
—The Horn Book
Praise for H Is for Harlem: A Kirkus Best Book of the Year A School Library Journal Best of the Year A Horn Book Fanfare TitleAn Amazon Best Book of the Month A Nerdy Book Club Best of the Year Selection A Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Book of the Year An ALSC Notable Book for Children A NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Selection A Junior Library Guild Selection * "Historically rich…. Harrison’s stunning, colorful, highly textured illustrations complement and expand upon Johnson’s textual snapshots, which offer just enough detail to encourage children to deepen their knowledge of Harlem. This is a beautiful and welcome celebration of Black joy. A gem that whets the appetite to learn more about a city where art is as alive as the people who live there." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review * "Sumptuous and necessary…Harrison’s mixed-media illustrations are meant to be savored for their layers of detail. Light seems to shine through these stunning, vibrant pages. Would that the English alphabet had more than 26 letters so that H Is for Harlem could have been longer." —Booklist, starred review * "An ode to the beating heart of African American culture with remarkable depth and breadth. This title is a celebration of Harlem’s vibrancy, dynamism, and significance." —School Library Journal, starred review * "Harrison’s arresting mixed-media illustrations render the abundant cast of important figures and myriad, unique surroundings in lifelike shades, lush textures, and generous dimensions, showing, as Johnson writes, that 'Harlem is a place like no other in the world.'" —Publishers Weekly, starred review * "Engaging and beautiful.... What a splendid way to learn the alphabet!"—Horn Book, starred review
12/01/2023
Gr 2–4—Johnson writes with the conviction of Ida B. Wells and her inherent beliefs about right and wrong. From a very young age, Wells took over as head of household, teaching to earn money for her orphaned siblings before becoming a writer who would publish wherever and however she could to get her opinions out, even buying an interest in a news journal she wrote for. After necessarily telescoped coverage of Wells in her other roles, and how often she did the "right" thing or the "bold" thing in the name of sticking to her beliefs, the book centers on the suffragettes who marched for the women's vote in Washington, D.C. in 1913; they were from all over the country, united by their goal, but another ugly division had appeared: the white suffragettes only cared about the vote for white women. Despite this, Wells joined the march and others like it, always going with what was right in the long term. Johnson is careful to lay the groundwork for her subject's many fine moments. Jordan's illustrations, electing for a rough folk-art look over anything like realism in the faces and bodies of the marchers, make this seem out of a dream until the moment when Wells serenely takes her place at the front of the line. Back matter invites readers to learn more through the resources listed, and also includes a time line of Wells's life. VERDICT Until her name is as familiar as Abraham Lincoln's, we can't have too many books about Wells; pair this with Michelle Duster's extraordinary Ida B. Wells, Voice of Truth.—Kimberly Olson Fakih
2023-10-05
A tribute to a tireless African American journalist and crusader for social justice.
Presenting her subject as a woman who learned the importance of doing “the right thing” from her parents and tallying her achievements up to the eve of World War I, Johnson mentions her anti-lynching campaign in passing but really focuses on her women’s suffrage work—and in particular her defiance of the racist stance taken by Alice Paul and the all-white National American Woman Suffrage Association. Quoting Paul’s “despicable” assertion that the planned Washington, D.C., march of 1913 “must have a white procession, or a Negro procession, or no procession at all,” the author heatedly comments that the Association “did not care about African American, Asian American, or Mexican American women. They were not concerned about Indigenous women, whose ancestors were the first to live on this land.” Nonetheless, once the march began, Wells stepped out of the crowd of spectators and “did the brave and bold and truthful thing” by joining her state’s contingent uninvited. The bold stare Wells directs out from the climactic final scene challenges viewers to realize that when it comes to gender and racial equality, there’s still work to be done.
Young activists in search of role models will find much to admire in this tough, courageous woman. (photos, timeline, source lists) (Picture-book biography. 6-9)
