One More River to Cross: The Story of Twelve Black Americans - Hardcover

Biographies of eight men and four women who struggled against racial prejudice and other obstacles to distinguish themselves. The line-up includes Crispus Attucks, escaped slave and ``the first American to die in the cause of American Revolution,'' who ``had already declared his own independence''; Madam C. J. Walker, the first female self-made millionaire in this country; Ronald McNair, an astronaut who died aboard the Challenger; and Eddie Robinson of Grambling State University, the winningest football coach, pro or collegiate, in history. As usual, Haskins writes in a clear, deliberate way, smoothly integrating biographical facts, lessons received from parents and grandparents, and the significance of his subjects' achievements. He doesn't gloss over their imperfections--Malcolm X's criminal record, Matthew Henson's Eskimo offspring--but does present these men and women as models of courage and dignity. Some (Ralph Bunche, Charles Drew, Marian Anderson, Fannie Lou Hamer, Shirley Chisholm) should already be well represented in most biography collections, but Romare Bearden or Eddie Robinson may be less familiar. Haskins draws his information from printed sources and has appended a good, if largely adult-level, bibliography. A serviceable collection. Illustrations and index not seen. (Biography. 11-14) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

In some ways, these dozen notables couldn't represent more diverse lives and more varied times, yet most of the figures have several commonalities: overcoming poverty and discrimination, avid self-education, drive to find a special niche. Haskins's subjects include Revolutionary patriot Crispus Attucks, co-discoverer of the North Pole Matthew Henson and Madam C. J. Walker, whose black hair preparations made her "the first American woman to earn a million dollars." Also profiled are scientists Charles Drew (the isolator of blood plasma) and Ron McNair (an astronaut who perished in the Challenger disaster); social and political activists Ralph Bunche, Fannie Lou Hamer, Shirley Chisholm and Malcolm X; and arts figures Romare Bearden and Marian Anderson. Each vignette manages to capture the individual's unique characteristics, particularly regarding his or her uphill battle: e.g., how Henson reacted to the disappointment of being left out of the glory, why Malcolm's adopted last name was X. Spiritedly informative. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.