HEART AND SOUL: THE STORY OF AMERICA AND AFRICAN AMERICANS by Kadir Nelson

Bibliography
Nelson, Kadir. 2011. Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780061730740

Plot Summary
African American history ranging from 1565, the time when Africans first step onto North American soil, to present day, with the election of Barack Obama as the first African American U.S. president, is presented in this twelve chapter book written in a narrative style told from the point of view of a grandmother recounting her family’s role in history. Beautiful oil paintings of historic people and moments complete the story. A timeline, bibliography, and index are also included.

Critical Analysis
This history book is a wonderful resource about African American history for ages starting around eight. The text and beautiful oil paintings throughout the book are accurate. The illustrations show historical figures, such as Martin Luther King Jr.; moments, such as slaves on a slave ship to America; symbols, like the burning cross used for intimidation; events, like the march on Washington; occupations, such as a Tuskegee pilot; and everyday people throughout history, like the sharecropper. The illustrations of known historical people look just like the real life person. The ones of everyday people show the varying skin tones, hair textures and colors, and facial features that can be found in African Americans all over the United States. The paintings evoke feelings of pride, sadness, strength, unity, and love.

The pictures can stand on their own in any renowned gallery of art. There is no doubt that Kadir Nelson is an accomplished artist. What is also evident is his frank storytelling of a history that is hard to talk about and share with others. His historical facts are true, such as the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War I and II, the Civil Rights Movement, etc. The text is so intriguing because the facts are not sugar coated. It explores the harshness of slavery and how being treated unequally can destroy a person. Nelson does not paint a picture of all Caucasians being evil and wanting all African Americans to be subservient. Nelson paints a balanced picture showing the good and bad of all people. For example, slavery was profitable to the north and south. There were many people who did not want it abolished, but there were enough people who did. Nelson explains these delicate issues in a balanced, fair, and well-researched manner.

There are times in the text where the adult reader is aware of explanations of why certain historical events occurred. I feel that these explanations are presented through careful research. Also, it is natural for these explanations to occur because the history presented in the text is told from the point of view of an elderly relative recounting her family’s history. For example, Nelson states that World War II sparked the civil rights movement. This may not be found on a timeline marked with a precise date. Nor is it a hard-core fact. However, research, personal accounts, and exploration of the time period is why many accept this statement to be true. Children may not pick up on this distinction. Therefore, adults may want to show children how to recognize these explanations and how to do their own research to decide for themselves whether they agree with the author or not.

The book reads easily. One can read it straight through because the narrator is telling the story of her people to a young relative. The narrator has a laid-back southern dialect that may ring true to some readers that carries the recounting of historical events along smoothly. Everything is recounted in chronological order. Readers may also use the book as a resource for research. There is a timeline and index to aid in this.

I personally like this book and plan on sharing it with my oldest child, who is eight. I had no idea how to teach her about our people’s history properly, but I think this book and some discussion will do the trick. Also, the paintings are so beautiful! I find myself flipping through the pages just to look at them. This is the first time I’ve seen such art in one place that truly shows the beauty, hardship, and victory of my people.

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

•  Coretta Scott King Book Award, 2012 - Illustrator Honor Book
• Coretta Scott King Book Award, 2012 - Author Winner
• Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 2012 - Recommended Book
• School Library Journal's Battle of the Kids' Books, 2012 – Nominee
• Booklist: " . . . powerful, accessible history which will find wide circulation in both schools and public libraries."
• Kirkus Reviews: "This intimate narrative makes the stories accessible to young readers and powerfully conveys how personal this history feels for many African-Americans."
• The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: " . . . it’s the powerful imagery that ultimately makes this essential to the American History collection."
• VOYA: "The topics are not new, but pulling them all together in one comprehensive historical stream feels fresh and helps the past come alive. History has never been taught so clearly. This would be an excellent book to share with teens who think they are not interested in history. Gazing at the stunning pictures and reading about the fascinating historical details written in such a straightforward yet powerful manner should cure anyone of historical apathy."

Connections

• Check out a few of these websites dealing with African American History:

          University of Illinois Board of Trustees. “African American History For Kids."
          http://urbanext.illinois.edu/bhm/historyforkids.html
          PBS Kids. “African American World.” http://pbskids.org/aaworld/index.html
          Time Inc. “Black History Month.”
          http://www.timeforkids.com/minisite/black-history-month

• Interested in Kadir Nelson’s art? There is more on his website http://www.kadirnelson.com/.
• Other award winning books written and/or illustrated by Kadir Nelson include:

          Jordan, Deloris. Salt in his Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream. ISBN
          0689833717
          Nelson, Kadir. We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. ISBN
          9780786808328
          Shange, Ntozake. Ellington was not a Street. ISBN 0689828845