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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
marahlynn13's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book, which tells the life of Josephine Baker through verse. Baker was an extraordinary performer as well as a civil rights activist, and this book paints a beautiful portrait of her beginnings in poverty, her rise to fame and her works of activism. I think this book will inspire and engage many students and I would love to include it in my classroom library.
hfjeld's review
Fascinating story of Josephine Baker and her eventful life. Great read aloud.
maejorlybookish's review
5.0
This book did, for me, exactly what I want a (children's) biography to do: make me want more information! I thought this was a great starting point, especially for younger readers, or for those with very little knowledge about the subject (this includes me; I knew nothing about Josephine Baker before picking this up). Lyrical writing, quick to read (but still informative and fun; you are not simply skimming and missing that good information), loooovely illustrations. I am enamored by Christian Robinson lately. Such great art. I took the time to look up some of the posters and publicity photos of Josephine, and was delighted when I compared them to Robinson's illustrations. This book is well-researched and it shows.
I was both delighted for Josephine's success and saddened by her circumstances, and the means which she took to rise to the top. I would've liked to know more about her Rainbow Tribe, but, with the rest of the more interesting facts about her life, it's more of a headline, and not much else. We learn the children's names, and that she raised them in their native religions, and that's basically it. Her desire to provide lavish gifts for them, and then throwing herself into poverty, kind of broke my heart.
Aghhhhh. I just loved this little taste of her life. I would definitely pick up a lengthier biography on Josephine Baker in the future.
The only thing that was jarring to me was the inclusion of the word "rape," which may lead to an interesting discussion with the child reading. It gave me momentary pause, because I wondered how I would explain what rape is to a young child reading this book. The narrative leaves everything very open for discussion, so this could be a good opportunity to talk about some of the harsher realities of prejudice, fear, slavery, and hatred in America, in whatever way you are comfortable doing. I appreciate that this biography didn't dance around this, as it's pretty uncommon in my reading experience with children's books.
I was both delighted for Josephine's success and saddened by her circumstances, and the means which she took to rise to the top. I would've liked to know more about her Rainbow Tribe, but, with the rest of the more interesting facts about her life, it's more of a headline, and not much else. We learn the children's names, and that she raised them in their native religions, and that's basically it. Her desire to provide lavish gifts for them, and then throwing herself into poverty, kind of broke my heart.
Aghhhhh. I just loved this little taste of her life. I would definitely pick up a lengthier biography on Josephine Baker in the future.
The only thing that was jarring to me was the inclusion of the word "rape," which may lead to an interesting discussion with the child reading. It gave me momentary pause, because I wondered how I would explain what rape is to a young child reading this book. The narrative leaves everything very open for discussion, so this could be a good opportunity to talk about some of the harsher realities of prejudice, fear, slavery, and hatred in America, in whatever way you are comfortable doing. I appreciate that this biography didn't dance around this, as it's pretty uncommon in my reading experience with children's books.
janeneal's review
5.0
Absolutely loved this book! I knew very little of Josephine Baker and this was greatly informative but written very stylistically. I had no idea she had helped out in the Red Cross and spied during WWII. The illustrations were perfect with the writing and Josephine herself.
(I'm really, REALLY hoping this book sparks a gorgeous biopic of her in the near future...)
(I'm really, REALLY hoping this book sparks a gorgeous biopic of her in the near future...)
olswanger's review
5.0
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker is a middle-grade biography of Josephine Baker, the African-American dancer who made it big in Paris in the 1920’s when this country was too racist to accept a "colored" super-star. Patricia Hruby Powell's Josephine, told in blank verse, is a wild dance, like Josephine’s life. And the author, who has been a solo concert dancer throughout the Americas and Europe, seems to be the right person to tell the story.
In 1925 Josephine Baker was catapulted to fame and fortune when she danced the Charleston in Paris. She came from the poorest of the poor to become the richest woman in the world, doing what she loved—dancing and singing. She had ideals and followed them fearlessly and tirelessly throughout her life. She worked for the French Resistance during WWII, civil rights in the U.S., and adopted twelve children of various races whom she called her Rainbow Tribe.
In France, everyone knows about Josephine Baker. It's time that more people in America know about Josephine: her wit and style, her early work in U.S. civil rights, and her belief that all people—no matter their race or religion—should live together in peace. Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker is a perfect resource for both Black History Month and Poetry Month.
In 1925 Josephine Baker was catapulted to fame and fortune when she danced the Charleston in Paris. She came from the poorest of the poor to become the richest woman in the world, doing what she loved—dancing and singing. She had ideals and followed them fearlessly and tirelessly throughout her life. She worked for the French Resistance during WWII, civil rights in the U.S., and adopted twelve children of various races whom she called her Rainbow Tribe.
In France, everyone knows about Josephine Baker. It's time that more people in America know about Josephine: her wit and style, her early work in U.S. civil rights, and her belief that all people—no matter their race or religion—should live together in peace. Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker is a perfect resource for both Black History Month and Poetry Month.
coty_aj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
A trailblazer with a beautiful life
cokimberly's review
4.0
Middle grade biography of Josephine Baker. I loved the rhythm of the words here, perfect for the bio of a singer and dancer. The illustrations fit well too, but it's the sound of the words that make it such a pleasure to read.