From School Library Journal
Grade 7-10ATracing the achievements of innovators from the 18th century to the present, Sullivan presents a range of creative people, and places each story within the context of the struggle for equal rights and opportunities. While some of the 25 entries are standards (Benjamin Banneker), others are less well-known (David Nelson Crosthwait, Jr., Jane Cooke Wright). Unfortunately, this title focuses primarily on men; only three women are included. On many levels, however, it succeeds. In each biographical sketch, sidebars highlight specific parts of the inventor's story, often expanding on the inventions or relating a personal anecdote. Definitions appear in the margins, enabling readers to grasp the often technical nature of these innnovations. Black-and-white photos and illustrations supplement the text. A worthy companion to Jim Haskins's Outward Dreams (Walker, 1991) and Robert C. Hayden's Nine African-American Inventors (21st Century Bks., 1992).ACarol Fazioli, Cardinal Hayes Library, Manhattan College, NYCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 5^-8. Although some of these inventors have had individual books written about them (Benjamin Banneker) and others have been included in other collective biographies (especially Madame C. J. Walker), there is enough variety and range to make this a worthwhile purchase. It is also a particularly engaging book to read; Sullivan highlights those aspects of the subjects' lives that will interest readers the most and writes about them with insight. The book is attractive, too, with lots of historical engravings and photographs. Among the people profiled in the two-or three-page spreads are Garrett Morgan, who invented the gas mask; Dr. Charles Drew, who did pioneering research in blood donation; and John Moon, who developed floppy disks. Chronology; notes; bibliography. Ilene Cooper
From Kirkus Reviews
Although this summary account of 25 inventors (plus mentions of several more) effectively conveys the inspirational message that racially motivated obstacles can be overcome given sufficient talent and determination, it is still a marginal entrylacking focus and with background material of uneven qualityin an increasingly well-populated field. After opening with broad and unsupported claims that African Americans developed the fountain pen, cellular phone, toilet, typewriter, and several other familiar items, Sullivan offers a gallery of inventors in chronological order, beginning with Benjamin Banneker, including George Washington Carver and Madame C.J. Walker, and closing with eight who are still livingnone born after 1946. Each gets three to six pages of anecdotes and sometimes unenlightening descriptions of inventions (Granville T. Woods ``developed several devices that led to the automatic air brake''; working with lasers, Earl D. Shaw ``successfully discovered how to tune the wavelength by turning a knob''), an occasional patent drawing, and random passages co-opted as sidebars. Three people, including two of the three women here, are scientists but not credited with any specific inventions. A chronology that cuts off at 1983, a thin bibliography, and endnotes citing a mix of primary material and sources such as Reader's Digest and a 1996 calendar, comprise the back matter. Those seeking information on this subject will be better served by books such as Louis Haber's Black Pioneers of Science and Invention (1991) or individual biographies. (index, not seen) (Biography. 10-12) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Review
"Wiley Publishers offers two from its Black Stars series that are sure to keep children's thinking caps operating during the heat. Each offers finely crafted short biographies of some well-known and some almost-unheard-of giants in their fields."—Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
Wiley Publishers offers two from its Black Stars series that are sure to keep children's thinking caps operating during the heat. Each offers finely crafted short biographies of some well-known and some almost-unheard-of giants in their fields.
Book Description
Meet the black inventors who lived their dreams—from the early years to modern times
Benjamin Banneker
Andrew Jackson Beard
George E. Carruthers, Ph.D.
George Washington Carver
Michael Croslin, Ph.D.
David Nelson Crosthwait Jr.
Charles Richard Drew, M.D.
Meredith Gourdine, Ph.D.
Claude Harvard
Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D.
Frederick McKinley Jones
Percy Lavon Julian, Ph.D.
Ernest Everett Just, Ph.D.
Lewis Howard Latimer
Jan Earnst Matzeliger
Elijah McCoy
Benjamin Montgomery
John P. Moon
Garrett Augustus Morgan
Norbert Rillieux
Earl D. Shaw, Ph.D.
Madame C. J. Walker
Daniel Hale Williams, M.D.
Granville T. Woods
Jane Cooke Wright, M.D.
For more than three centuries, African American inventors have been coming up with ingenious ideas. In fact, it is impossible to really know American history without also learning about the contributions of black discoverers. This collection brings their stories to life.
In every era, black inventors have made people's lives safer, more comfortable, more convenient, and more profitable. This inspiring, comprehensive collection shines history's spotlight on these courageous inventors and discoverers. One by one, they persevered, despite prejudice and obstacles to education and training. These stories show you how: Benjamin Montgomery, born a slave, invented a propeller that improved steamboat navigation. Jan Earnst Matzeliger, the son of a Dutch engineer, invented a machine that revolutionized the shoe manufacturing industry. Madame C. J. Walker, born two years after the Civil War emancipated her parents, invented a product that helped make her a millionaire. Dr. George E. Carruthers, an astrophysicist, invented the lunar surface ultraviolet camera/spectrograph for Apollo 16. Dr. Jane Cooke Wright, a third-generation physician and pioneer in the field of cancer research discovered a method for testing which drugs to use to fight specific cancers. Dr. Wright became the first woman elected president of the New York Cancer Society and the first African American woman to serve as dean of a medical college.
This outstanding collection brings to light these and dozens of other exciting and surprising tales of inventors and discoverers who lived their dreams.
Card catalog description
Profiles the lives of twenty-five African American inventors who made significant scientific contributions from the eighteenth century to modern times.
From the Inside Flap
Black ??? Stars African American Inventors For more than three centuries, African American inventors have been coming up with ingenious ideas. In fact, it is impossible to really know American history without also learning about the contributions of black discoverers. This collection brings their stories to life. In every era, black inventors have made people’s lives safer, more comfortable, more convenient, and more profitable. This inspiring, comprehensive collection shines history’s spotlight on these courageous inventors and discoverers. One by one, they persevered, despite prejudice and obstacles to education and training. These stories show you how: Benjamin Montgomery, born a slave, invented a propeller that improved steamboat navigation. Jan Earnst Matzeliger, the son of a Dutch engineer, invented a machine that revolutionized the shoe manufacturing industry. Madame C. J. Walker, born two years after the Civil War emancipated her parents, invented a product that helped make her a millionaire. Dr. George E. Carruthers, an astrophysicist, invented the lunar surface ultraviolet camera/spectrograph for Apollo 16. Dr. Jane Cooke Wright, a third-generation physician and pioneer in the field of cancer research, discovered a method for testing which drugs to use to fight specific cancers. Dr. Wright became the first woman elected president of the New York Cancer Society and the first African American woman to serve as dean of a medical college. This outstanding collection brings to light these and dozens of other exciting and surprising tales of inventors and discoverers who lived their dreams.
From the Back Cover
Meet the black inventors who lived their dreams—from the early years to modern times
Benjamin Banneker
Andrew Jackson Beard
George E. Carruthers, Ph.D.
George Washington Carver
Michael Croslin, Ph.D.
David Nelson Crosthwait Jr.
Charles Richard Drew, M.D.
Meredith Gourdine, Ph.D.
Claude Harvard
Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D.
Frederick McKinley Jones
Percy Lavon Julian, Ph.D.
Ernest Everett Just, Ph.D.
Lewis Howard Latimer
Jan Earnst Matzeliger
Elijah McCoy
Benjamin Montgomery
John P. Moon
Garrett Augustus Morgan
Norbert Rillieux
Earl D. Shaw, Ph.D.
Madame C. J. Walker
Daniel Hale Williams, M.D.
Granville T. Woods
Jane Cooke Wright, M.D.
For more than three centuries, African American inventors have been coming up with ingenious ideas. In fact, it is impossible to really know American history without also learning about the contributions of black discoverers. This collection brings their stories to life.
In every era, black inventors have made people's lives safer, more comfortable, more convenient, and more profitable. This inspiring, comprehensive collection shines history's spotlight on these courageous inventors and discoverers. One by one, they persevered, despite prejudice and obstacles to education and training. These stories show you how: Benjamin Montgomery, born a slave, invented a propeller that improved steamboat navigation. Jan Earnst Matzeliger, the son of a Dutch engineer, invented a machine that revolutionized the shoe manufacturing industry. Madame C. J. Walker, born two years after the Civil War emancipated her parents, invented a product that helped make her a millionaire. Dr. George E. Carruthers, an astrophysicist, invented the lunar surface ultraviolet camera/spectrograph for Apollo 16. Dr. Jane Cooke Wright, a third-generation physician and pioneer in the field of cancer research discovered a method for testing which drugs to use to fight specific cancers. Dr. Wright became the first woman elected president of the New York Cancer Society and the first African American woman to serve as dean of a medical college.
This outstanding collection brings to light these and dozens of other exciting and surprising tales of inventors and discoverers who lived their dreams.
About the Author
OTHA RICHARD SULLIVAN, Ed.D., is a former science teacher and is currently a middle school guidance counselor. As head of Detroit's program to infuse African American history into the public school curriculum, he instructs teachers on how to incorporate African American scientific history into their classes.
JIM HASKINS has written more than ninety books for young readers, including African American Entrepreneurs (Wiley); his collaboration with Rosa Parks on her autobiography, Rosa Parks: My Story; and Black Eagles: African Americans in Aviation. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Washington Post Children's Book Guild Award for the body of his work and the Coretta Scott King Book Award.
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