W. E. B. Du Bois

November 1, 2008
In 1845, 14-year-old Anna is placed with Shakers while her father regains his financial footing. Initially resentful of the restrictive ways of this industrious religious community, she comes to appreciate their kindness, isolationist attitude and pacifism. When her father finally sends for her, she finds he is manufacturing munitions for the Mexican War —upon which discovery Henry David Thoreau conveniently plays a walk-on role in Anna 's recognition of the moral dilemma of wars. Thus are morality issues and historic details often added in a heavy-handed manner that detracts from the presentation. Because for most of the story Anna sees the Shakers from an outsider 's simplified point of view, readers never get the opportunity to find out what may have motivated this vibrant, unusual group or Anna 's eventual decision about her own future. Many characters remain flat and predictable. Curiously, the authors even chose to create fictional Shaker songs rather than to use well-documented real ones. However, because books about the Shaker community are rare, this may be a useful purchase in spite of its regrettably banal flavor. (Historical fiction. 12 & up)

(COPYRIGHT (2008) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

January 1, 2009
Gr 7 Up-The author covers her subject's life, which spanned 95 years, from Reconstruction to the modern Civil Rights Movement. Bolden includes Du Bois's childhood in Massachusetts, where he faced little racial discrimination, and his years at Fisk University, Harvard, and the University of Berlin. This balanced, lively account records his many contributions as a teacher, speaker, Civil Rights activist, sociologist, writer, and cofounder of several organizations, including the NAACP, as well as his failings. His extensive travels are noted, as is his fascination with the Communist governments of China and Russia. His personal life is mentioned, but not extensively. After dedicating his life to ending racism, he finally openly embraced Communism and moved to Ghana, where he spent the last years of his life."Ann Nored, Wilson Central High School, Lebanon, TN"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2009
Grades 7-10 In a foreword, Bolden acknowledges mixed feelings toward Du Bois, sometimes worshipful, occasionally annoyed and perplexed, but always astonished, and this biography explains why. Starting with birth, boyhood, and early influences, and tracking his early academic life and early writings, Bolden chronicles the complexity of Du Bois life. Sheplaces his disagreements with Booker T. Washington in context, recounts his indefatigable crusade against racism, and delineates his involvement with Communism and Pan-Africanism. An annoyed Bolden describes Du Bois rather dismissiverelationships with his wife and daughter, information not always covered in other biographies. Black-and-white reproductions of photographs and documents appear chronologically within the narrative, and back matter includes sources, bibliography, and index.Readable and informative.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2009
With punchy, colorful prose and a colloquial tone, Bolden brings readers face to face with "this man of intellect and soul." The text concisely details Du Bois's long (ninety-five years) and productive life, delving into his views and foibles. What sets this biography apart is the author's inventively intimate approach, which helps readers connect with Du Bois on a more personal level. Bib., ind.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

March 1, 2009
With punchy, colorful prose and a colloquial tone, Bolden brings readers face to face with "this titanic talent in a small body, this David challenging Goliaths, this dreamer and realist and sometimes elitist, this man of intellect and soul." W. E. B. Du Bois lived a long (ninety-five years) and productive life -- writing thousands of articles and dozens of books (including The Souls of Black Folk), teaching at a handful of universities, launching multiple magazines (Crisis), creating or co-founding several organizations (NAACP), giving speeches worldwide. It's a profusion of activity that Bolden details concisely and sets in historical context. She delves into Du Bois's views on black Americans' ever-present "double-consciousness" and the brick wall of the "color line," as well as his disputes with Booker T. Washington and Marcus Garvey. Bolden doesn't skip over his foibles, pointing out Du Bois's blind eye to the evils of European colonialism in Africa (which he ultimately acknowledged); his distaste for the Harlem Renaissance because of what he saw as negative depictions of blacks; his numerous extramarital affairs; and his condescension toward the uncultured working class. But what really sets this biography apart is Bolden's inventively intimate approach, which helps readers connect with Du Bois on a more personal level. An index, a bibliography, and source notes are included.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 1, 2008
In 1845, 14-year-old Anna is placed with Shakers while her father regains his financial footing. Initially resentful of the restrictive ways of this industrious religious community, she comes to appreciate their kindness, isolationist attitude and pacifism. When her father finally sends for her, she finds he is manufacturing munitions for the Mexican War —upon which discovery Henry David Thoreau conveniently plays a walk-on role in Anna's recognition of the moral dilemma of wars. Thus are morality issues and historic details often added in a heavy-handed manner that detracts from the presentation. Because for most of the story Anna sees the Shakers from an outsider's simplified point of view, readers never get the opportunity to find out what may have motivated this vibrant, unusual group or Anna's eventual decision about her own future. Many characters remain flat and predictable. Curiously, the authors even chose to create fictional Shaker songs rather than to use well-documented real ones. However, because books about the Shaker community are rare, this may be a useful purchase in spite of its regrettably banal flavor. (Historical fiction. 12 & up)

(COPYRIGHT (2008) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)