FICTION

African American Literature

by Stephen CURRIE
112p. (Lucent Library of Black History Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Gale/Lucent. 2011. PLB $33.45. ISBN 978-1-4205-0383-8. LC 2011003923.
COPY ISBN
Gr 6 Up—Beginning with the oral tradition brought to America by enslaved Africans, this text navigates through the centuries, providing readers with a succinct, but comprehensive, overview of the progression of the African American literary tradition. It pays tribute to those who are well known, but also includes those who are less familiar. What is more exciting is its inclusion of young adult writers such as Virginia Hamilton and Mildred Taylor. Color and black-and-white illustrations and photos appear throughout. This is a book for readers who know little or nothing about the field, but it is also for those who need a brief review.—Carol Jones Collins, Hanover Park High School, East Hanover, NJ
Currie's survey begins with "The Oral Tradition and the First Black Writers: 1600–1800" then continues through the Civil War and Reconstruction, Harlem Renaissance, civil rights era, and up to contemporary times. Particular attention is given to historical, social, and political contexts and challenges faced by the writers. The text is dense but informative. Illustrations and photographs break up the pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
Reviewed by Carol Jones Collins , Feb 01, 2012

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