Title: Nelson Mandela
Author: Kadir Nelson
# Of Pages: 40
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: January 2nd, 2013
Source: Library
Level: Children’s (Pre-School - 4th Grade)
Rating: 4 Hearts
Synopsis
(From Goodreads)
One day when Nelson Mandela was nine years old, his father
died and he was sent from his village to a school far away from home, to
another part of South Africa. In Johannesburg, the country's capital, Mandela
saw fellow Africans who were poor and powerless. He decided then that he would
work to protect them. When the government began to keep people apart based on
the color of their skin, Mandela spoke out against the law and vowed to fight
hard in order to make his country a place that belonged to all South Africans.
Kadir Nelson tells the story of Mandela, a global icon, in
poignant verse and glorious illustrations. It is the story of a young boy's
determination to change South Africa and of the struggles of a man who
eventually became the president of his country by believing in equality for
people of all colors. Readers will be inspired by Mandela's triumph and his
lifelong quest to create a more just world.
My Verdict
I know I don't usually review children's books on here but since this one was told in verse, I made an exception =)
The biography of Nelson Mandela and his role in Apartheid is
brought to life by author and illustrator, Kadir Nelson, through free verse and
beautiful paintings that are rich in color and large in scale. A fellow blogger
reviewed this book and when I heard it was told in verse I knew I absolutely
HAD to read it!
It’s very unique to have a biography written in free verse
but I think it worked really well and will help to keep kids interested. This
book is a great resource for kids to learn about an important time in history
but also one that I think they will thoroughly enjoy reading as well.
“Nelson stood proudly
with the wind at his
back
and spoke to a
colorful sea of people.
‘We must forget our
terrible past
and build a better
future for South Africa,
Let us continue to
fight for justice
and walk the last
mile to freedom.’ "
