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: Faker

By
Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Umami

By
  Umami By Jacob Grant New York: Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2024. Picture Book. Umami is a little penguin who is sick of eating the same thing everyday, cold fish --ugh! She becomes determined to find new foods and flavors, so Umami begins a journey across the sea in search of something different to eat. She reaches a place with a plethora of delicious options, and tries bitter, sweet, sour, and foods with umami (just like her name!) among others. Umami decides to bring all these delicious new flavors back for the other penguins to try in a feast. But, will the other penguins enjoy this new experience?  Filled with charm and humor, Umami is a diverse romp through a universal experience --am I willing to try something new? What will it be like? The idea of trying new foods and flavors make it especially relatable, and the appealing illustrations will have many readers ready to hop out on a culinary adventure. A humorous and sweet ending, caps off this delig...
Post a Comment
Read more

Five Faves: Easy Readers of 2024

By
Hello world! I know you have been anticipating the release of this list all year... my favorite easy readers! Whether they're funny or sweet, these titles are all great for kids taking their first steps for reading. So without further ado...here are my five favorite easy readers of 2024. Lone Wolf Goes to School Written by Kiah Thomas Illustrated by K-Fai Steele New York: Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, 2024. Easy Reader.  Lone wolf would spend all of his time alone if he could. Unfortunately, he has to go to school with the "snotty" kids, and even when he leaves school there's people at the beach, on the mountains, and at the movie theater. What's a wolf to do? Invite them all to a party at his house and then leave so that all the places he wants to be are empty, of course! If you're looking for a moralistic read-aloud that will teach the virtues of making friends so that you aren't lonely, you should definitely look elsewhere. However, if you're loo...
Post a Comment
Read more