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Children's LiteratureIn mini-biographical format, Haskins captures twenty-seven African heroes who determined the course of their various countries. The heroes are from ancient times through the modern era, with an accent on civil rights and individuals who stand for protection from exploitation of any group. Biographies are grouped chronologically: "Heroes of Ancient and Medieval Africa," "Heroes of the Struggle Against European Incursion," and "Heroes of the Twentieth Century." Readers learn of Piankhy, a Nubian king in 744 BC who resisted Egyptian domination and whose story came to light recently when a stone slab recounting his victory was discovered. Also included is Mansa Musa who unified a huge Mali empire. The middle section profiles Queen Nizingha, Mosheh, Cetewayo, and Bambaata, among others. The final section of thirteen profiles includes Selassie, Kenyatta, Nkrumah, Biko, Mandala, and others, including two women, Constance Cummings-John and Albertina Sisulu. The profiles are densely written, with references to political movements explained, acronyms written out and explained, and with vocabulary appropriate to the age group. Each profile would provide report writers with facts and chronology and some discussion of the person's legacy either to his or her country—or to the wider world, as in the cases of Kofi Annan and Mansa Musa. Photos depict the subject when available, with artifacts standing in for some of the subjects in the early chapter. Strangely, a marketplace photo stands in for one of Cummings-John who died in 2000 and surely had some photo extant. But taken as a whole, Haskins presents African heroes—who may be unknown by this age group—in a way that explains their placein history. He ends with a ringing call for others who can help make the nations of Africa truly independent and self-sustaining. Further reading, internet sites, and a comprehensive index are included. 2005, John Wiley, Ages 11 to 16.
—Susan Hepler, Ph.D.