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Brave. Black. First.

Book Resume

for Brave. Black. First.: 50+ African American Women Who Changed the World by Cheryl Willis Hudson and Erin K. Robinson

Professional book information and credentials for Brave. Black. First..

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  • Kirkus:
  • Ages 8 - 12
  • TeachingBooks:*
  • Grades 5-8
  • Word Count:
  • 18,566
  • Lexile Level:
  • 1270L
  • ATOS Reading Level:
  • 8.9
  • Cultural Experience:
  • African American
  • Women / Girls
  • Genre:
  • Biography
  • Nonfiction
  • Year Published:
  • 2020

The following 4 subject headings were determined by the U.S. Library of Congress and the Book Industry Study Group (BISAC) to reveal themes from the content of this book (Brave. Black. First.).

The following unabridged reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers. Reviews may be used for educational purposes consistent with the fair use doctrine in your jurisdiction, and may not be reproduced or repurposed without permission from the rights holders.

Note: This section may include reviews for related titles (e.g., same author, series, or related edition).

From Kirkus

December 1, 2019
Accompanied by Robinson's brightly textured illustrations, Hudson's text highlights trailblazing African American women from the 1700s until the present day. Including women from all industries and spheres of activity--theater to mathematics to tennis--everyone here has made her mark. The illustrations evoke a reverence for these women and capture iconic poses, such as Zora Neale Hurston in her fur-trimmed coat and feathered cap and Angela Davis with a raised fist. Each one-page biography includes a famous, inspiring quote from its subject as epigraph. "Women know how to get things done," for instance, introduces civil rights activist Dorothy Irene Height. Alongside familiar figures are names likely new to many readers: sculptor Augusta Fells Savage, fashion designer Ann Lowe, and Union Army nurse Susie King Taylor, for instance. Although the book does include a few members of the lesbian, bisexual, and queer community, such as Sheryl Swoopes, there is an absence of transgender women, many of whom have achieved historic firsts in the 20th and 21st centuries. It is disappointing to see the omission of such pivotal figures, who have often stood side by side with cisgender black women to advance the rights and freedoms of African Americans. The backmatter provides additional facts about each woman along with information on artifacts at the National Museum of African American History and Culture and at the National Portrait Gallery. A beautifully illustrated testament to the continuing excellence and legacy of African American women. (Collective biography. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2019) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Brave. Black. First. was recognized by committees of professional librarians and educators for the following book awards and distinctions.

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This Book Resume for Brave. Black. First. is compiled from TeachingBooks, a library of professional resources about children's and young adult books. This page may be shared for educational purposes and must include copyright information. Reviews are made available under license from their respective rights holders and publishers.

*Grade levels are determined by certified librarians utilizing editorial reviews and additional materials. Relevant age ranges vary depending on the learner, the setting, and the intended purpose of a book.

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