Madam C.J. Walker: Self-Made Millionaire (Great African Americans Series) - Hardcover

Grade 3-4-- The lives of entrepreneur Madam C. J. Walker and writer Zora Neale Hurston are told in abbreviated form, which gives the basic facts of both women's lives while omitting much of their personality and tenacity. The print is large, open, and easy to read, and the black-and-white photographs and soft pencil sketches extend the texts. Brief glossaries have admirably clear definitions, and the one-page indexes are adequate. Since there are no other biographies of these notables for this age group, they are reasonable acquisitions. However, teachers or librarians may wish to give some verbal background as an introduction. Certainly in Hurston's case, telling one of her stories would say just as much as this biography does about the salty nature of the woman. --Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

One of seven new entries, all by the McKissacks, in the ``Great African Americans'' series. The text here is condensed almost to outline form and delivered in short, easily read but often choppy sentences. Still, the McKissacks are reliable researchers who manage to pack a substantial amount of information into their brief account, deftly setting this 19th- century entrepreneur in the society of her time and providing all the proper accoutrements of nonfiction, including historical photos to supplement Bryant's serviceable drawings. Workmanlike and sure to be useful. Glossary; index. (Biography. 7-12) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.