A portrait of a person is not just a picture but a rendering of a life. In this collection of twenty biographical essays, noted author Tonya Bolden and Ansel Pitcairn merge the visual with the analytical and paint a true rendering of these outstanding lives. The heroes range from historical to contemporary figures, from Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. Du Bois to Martin Luther King, Jr., and Gwendolyn Brooks. They represent diverse fields of endeavor, from law to athletics, science, and more. A book to inspire and teach, this is as striking as it is important....

Coretta Scott King–Honor Winner Tonya Bolden focuses her critical eye on Martin Luther King, Jr.

In the tradition of her award-winning book Maritcha, Tonya Bolden brings words and pictures together to tell the life story of one of America’s greatest figures: Martin Luther King, Jr.—or M.L.K. Central to the story is King’s belief that agape—the selfless love for one’s neighbor—is the rope that binds all peoples together. This philosophy came forward in his sermons, in his daily practice, and especially in his support of nonviolent protests.

More than 80 photographs of M.L.K. preaching, leading marches, being arrested, and overcoming the violence and prejudice around him are juxtaposed with images of his wife and family, of his fellow protestors, and of other leaders of the day. A tribute to a great human being, M.L.K. will surely inspire young readers. ...

Muhammad Ali is one of the world’s best-known figures, and this incredible biography delves into precisely why. From his unlikely beginnings as a skinny, young Cassius Clay learning to box at a local gym to becoming the heavyweight champion of the world at the famous “Rumble in the Jungle,” where even the skies let loose with rain right after his victory, Ali has captivated the world. Tonya Bolden’s careful research and elegant telling, paired with R. Gregory Christie’s incredible paintings, make this a book that will inform and inspire readers of all ages.


From the Hardcover edition....

FDR’S New Deal, which followed the 1929 stock market crash, was a hugely influential moment in the history of the United States, encompassing everything from the arts to finance, labor to legislation, and some think it helped bring the country out of the Great Depression. Here, Tonya Bolden, writing in her trademark accessible style, creates a portrait of a time that changed American history both then and now.

FDR’s First 100 Days and how the United States was changed by it then are closely examined, especially now. The 2009 financial situation is eerily mirrored by that of the late 1920s, and this is a perfect book to help teens understand history and its lasting impact on current events.


From the Hardcover edition....

FDR’S New Deal, which followed the 1929 stock market crash, was a hugely influential moment in the history of the United States, encompassing everything from the arts to finance, labor to legislation, and some think it helped bring the country out of the Great Depression. Here, Tonya Bolden, writing in her trademark accessible style, creates a portrait of a time that changed American history both then and now.

FDR’s First 100 Days and how the United States was changed by it then are closely examined, especially now. The 2009 financial situation is eerily mirrored by that of the late 1920s, and this is a perfect book to help teens understand history and its lasting impact on current events....

A portrait of a person is not just a picture but a rendering of a life. In this collection of twenty biographical essays, noted author Tonya Bolden and Ansel Pitcairn merge the visual with the analytical and paint a true rendering of these outstanding lives. The heroes range from historical to contemporary figures, from Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. Du Bois to Martin Luther King, Jr., and Gwendolyn Brooks. They represent diverse fields of endeavor, from law to athletics, science, and more. A book to inspire and teach, this is as striking as it is important....