School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up-A well-organized and attractive book. It begins with a look at the creative arts in ancient Africa, and then traces the development of filmmaking, music, writing, and the visual arts from their beginnings here in America to the present time. Excellent-quality fine-art reproductions appear throughout. What sets this book apart, however, is the scope and variety of the full-color and black-and-white archival photographs. Black pioneers in various fields are singled out and accorded the recognition they deserve; artists working today are given recognition also, but in such a way as to show the debt they owe to those who went before them and who frequently paid a heavy price for being black and creative. This treatment makes the subject accessible to a wide range of readers.-Carol Jones Collins, Montclair Kimberley Academy, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
An overview of African-American creativity in several fields focuses heavily on popular music, jazz, and film with some attention given to art and literature. Possibly attempting to appeal to the widest audience, the book -- unfortunately -- barely mentions the black classical tradition in music. Numerous black-and-white and color photographs provide interest. Bib., ind. From HORN BOOK 1994, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.