Skip to main content

The Legendary Miss Lena Horne

By


The Legendary Miss Lena Horne
By Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
Atheneum Books For Young Readers, 2017. Biography.

“You have to be taught to be second class; you’re not born that way.” Lena Horne lived this statement. Growing up as a young member of the NAACP, taking on civil rights issues as she worked in the entertainment industry, she fought not only for herself but for those who would follow. Starting out in the chorus line to help feed her family during the Depression, she soon advanced and became one of the first black vocalists to front an all-white band. Even though she was the lead, she was banned from the bandstand between numbers and had to sleep on the bus because she was refused food and lodging with the rest of the band. But she didn’t let that stop her. Her good looks and powerful voice opened the doors to a Hollywood career, but she was forced to wear make up to darken her skin so she would not be mistaken as white while screen. When she performed for troops during WWII, she made a point to perform for black troops like the Tuskegee Airman, even paying for the cost to perform for them, so they were not denied entertainment like other soldiers. Because she fought for civil rights, she was blacklisted from Hollywood during the McCarthy Era, but she became an international star touring nightclubs around the world.

An inspiring picture book biography describing what determination can accomplish. The Author Note at the back tells how Lena Horn influenced the author and includes further recommended readings, listening, and viewings of Lena Horne.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: The House with Nobody in It

By
  The House with Nobody in It By Jon Klassen Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2026. Board Book.  The House with Nobody in It may very well be your child's first ghost story. The simple story begins with the narrator explaining to readers that this house used to have someone in it, but there is now nobody there. Toddlers and preschoolers will love contradicting this statement as they peek through the house that the board book forms, as the ghost is clearly visible throughout the story.  This unique and imaginative board book is the perfect thing to read during Halloween season! The book itself plays into the experience, with cutouts and clever turns that make it especially interactive. The illustrations are superb, simple but well crafted, adding to the story's theme as a whole. This will likely be a book that gets many repeat reads!
Post a Comment
Read more

Display: Teddy's Top Picks

By Suzanne
  Bear in the Air Written by Susan Meyers Illustrated by Amy Bates New York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010. Picture book. When a teddy bear is lost by the child who loves him, the bear begins an adventurous journey to get back home again. -- Editor Blanket and Bear, A Remarkable Pair Written by L.J.R. Kelly Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2013. Picture book. When a boy loses his beloved blanket and bear, they travel a great distance to make their way back to him. -- Editor A Bear to Share Written by Jessica Alba, Nora Weinstein, and Kelly Patricof  Illustrated by Alicia Mas New York, NY : Baby2Baby/Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2021. Picture book. Tiana loves her teddy bear, Bach. She doesn't mind that he's a little worn and somewhat torn. So when her mother suggests she make room for a new bear, Tiana can't believe her ears! Will Tiana have to lose the one bear she really loves? Or will she find room in her heart for t...
Post a Comment
Read more

De la hora del cuento: La letra "E"

By
  Cuentos Mi perro solo hable español Por Andrea Cáceres Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2023. Libro ilustrado. "Cuando Aurora llegó a los Estados Unidos, aprendió a hablar inglés, pero Nena, su spaniel, no. Por eso, cuando pasea a Nena, Aurora les explica a sus nuevos amigos que su mascota solo habla español ..." --Editor Cuentitos Colores Por Joel Sartore Washington, DC : National Geographic Partners, LLC, 2025. Libro ilustrado. "El National Geographic Photo Ark es una iniciativa plurianual para concienciar y encontrar soluciones a algunos de los problemas más urgentes que afectan a la vida silvestre y sus hábitats. El proyecto busca documentar todas las especies que viven en zoológicos y santuarios de vida silvestre del mundo, inspirar acciones a través de la educación y ayudar a salvar la vida silvestre apoyando iniciativas de conservación sobre el terreno." --Editor Otros libros sobre la letra "E" Papá Monstruo y el bosque de las emocion...
Post a Comment
Read more