ALA Booklist

In informal, conversational style, this lively collective biography tells of 10 extraordinary black women. From Sojourner Truth to Shirley Chisholm, this is also a view of African American history through individual lives. The chapter on Rosa Parks is excellent, showing her not as a sweet, innocent, tired little thing but as a strong political activist and NAACP member who knew exactly what her refusal meant. There are also some lesser-known heroes who fought against racism and sexism for the right to be heard. There's no criticism of any of them, no mistakes; the tone is inspirational. Pinkney includes a long bibliography, but no source notes. Stephen Alcorn's allegorical oil portraits are dramatic and beautiful, with swirling, rhythmic curves that connect the bending sharecropper with the rolling earth and shining light. The immediacy of the text and the spacious design of the large volume make this a natural for reading aloud.

Horn Book

Including "the tried-and-true sheroes of human equality" (Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks), Pinkney states her intention "to introduce some of those... whose praises have not been sung loudly enough." In her passion to reveal the strength of these ten remarkable women, Pinkney rises to moments of linguistic power. Alcorn's extraordinary bold tableaux consistently declare their own individuality as well as that of their subjects. Bib.

Kirkus Reviews

This exciting collective biography features ten important women in the historic struggle to win freedom and civil rights. Pinkney ( Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra , 1998, etc.) tells the well-known stories of Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Rosa Parks. Other women such as Biddy Mason and Dorothy Irene Height are in the history books but are less familiar. They span the 18th and 19th centuries, from Sojourner Truth, born into slavery circa 1797, to Shirley Chisholm, born in 1924 and living today. Each story contains essential demographic and biographical information written in an accessible, informal style, which provides a vivid picture of the women's lives, their personalities, backgrounds, and the actions that made them memorable. Many of the women also had to fight against prejudice toward women in addition to their causes. Some did not live to see the results of their struggle, but successful or not, all were courageous leaders who paved the way for a more democratic and inclusive America. The introduction gives the reader a glimpse into Pinkney's own life and her rationale for the selection of biographies. A bibliography for further reading lists what are probably her research sources, but are not identified as such and quotations within the chapters are not footnoted in any way. Another quibble is a small mistake in the biography of Dorothy Irene Height as to the two degrees she received in four years. Both were in educational psychology, but Pinkney lists the bachelor's as in social work. However, these flaws do not compromise the value of the book. Alcorn's ( Langston Hughes , not reviewed, etc.) paintings, oil on canvas, are as magnificent as his figures and add much to this handsome volume. Vibrant colors, rhythmic lines, and collage-like compositions are allegorical in design and convey the essence of each woman and her work. A truly inspiring collection for personal as well as institutional libraries. (Biography. 8-12)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Pinkney (Silent Thunder) presents eloquent portraits of 10 intrepid African-American activists for the causes of abolition, women's rights and civil rights. Exploring these individuals' childhoods as well as their accomplishments as adults, the author smoothly distills biographical information so as to hold the attention of young readers. Her selection of subjects includes the prominent (Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Shirley Chisholm) as well as such lesser-knowns as Fannie Lou Hamer, an indefatigable campaigner for African-Americans' right to vote. Pinkney's writing is spiced with colloquialisms (""""She didn't shy back for nobody,"""" she says of Sojourner Truth) and useful imagery (describing this same crusader's delivery of her renowned """"Ain't I a woman?"""" speech, the author notes, """"She was the only black woman in the place, and when she stepped to the pulpit, some folks looked at her like she was a stain on their purest linens""""). Featuring creatively skewed perspective and proportion, Alcorn's (I, Too, Sing America) oil paintings offer allegorical interpretations of his subjects' lives. Ages 8-up. (Sept.)

School Library Journal (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Gr 4-7-Engaging text and glorious art are combined in this collection of sketches celebrating the contributions of 10 women who moved forward the cause of civil rights in America. Following a preface that describes her own family roots in the civil rights movement and their influence on her, Pinkney presents her heroines chronologically, from Sojourner Truth to Shirley Chisholm, in verbal portraits that capture the subjects' spirit and personalities amid biographical highlights. Blending straightforward narrative with a lively storytelling style, the author balances the hardships and racial injustice that these women faced against their faith, strength of character, and determination. They include Harriet Tubman, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Rosa Parks, as well as Biddy Mason, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Ella Josephine Baker, Dorothy Irene Height, and Fannie Lou Hamer. The book includes many quotes, incidents, and details that lead readers down their personal paths to historical recognition. However, it is Alcorn's vibrant, inspired oil paintings that make this book a standout. A full-page stylized portrait appears opposite the first page of each story; it is filled with symbolic details that are elucidated in the text. A brilliant example is a larger-than-life Harriet Tubman balanced on one knee over a railroad track with arms diagonally outstretched, bridgelike, as tiny travelers make their way up the steep height toward the freedom star. Smaller paintings appear within the stories, carrying the message further. Line, color, and canvas texture give the pictures depth and dynamism, vastly enriching the reading experience. This excellent collection is a must for every library.-Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.