Books in Legendary African Americans series

Author Silvia Anne Sheafer relates the entertaining life and career of this legend of soul music, from her childhood in Detroit, through her struggles with personal heartache and racial prejudice, to her continued success as a major force in the music industry. Crowned the "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin has won fifteen Grammy Awards, and has also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Author Catherine Reef paints a rich and memorable portrait of the first African American to earn his living as a writer. "I know why the caged bird sings," wrote Paul Laurence Dunbar in "Sympathy," one of his best-loved poems. Born in 1872 to former slaves, Dunbar touched the nation with poetry that portrayed the sorrows and the joys of African-American life. Dunbar's work spoke directly to the hearts of his readers, and his legacy inspired the generation of African-American poets who followed.

Sorting myth from truth in this amazing tale of courage and heroism, Anne Schraff breathes new life into the story of the most famous “conductor” on the Underground Railroad. “I grew up like a neglected weed—ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it. Now I’ve been free, I know what a dreadful condition slavery is.” Harriet Tubman ran away from slavery in 1849, walking one hundred miles to freedom in the North. For the next sixteen years, Tubman risked her newfound freedom—and her life—to help about three hundred other slaves escape. During the Civil War, Tubman worked as a nurse and a scout for the Union army, and in her later years, she joined the struggle for the education of her people and for women’s rights.

George Washington Carver spent his life asking questions and looking for the answers. He gained a reputation as the farmers' best friend: He taught farmers about crop rotationtelling them to grow peanuts and sweet potatoes to "rest" their soil between cotton crops. And what could they do with all those peanuts? Carver developed more than three hundred peanut-based productsfrom milk to printers inkand more than a hundred ways to use sweet potatoes. Barbara Kramer selects the correct anecdotes and quotes to bring "The Peanut Man" to life.

At a time in history when many doors were closed to African Americans, Marian Anderson, with the power of her magnificent voice, triumphed over racial barriers. Andrea Broadwater's spirited profile breathes new life into Anderson's inspiring story. During a career that spanned four decades, this quiet, proud woman lifted herself out of poverty and obscurity to become a world-famous singer.

Sorting myth from truth in this amazing tale of courage and heroism, Anne Schraff breathes new life into the story of the most famous “conductor” on the Underground Railroad. “I grew up like a neglected weed—ignorant of liberty, having no experience of it. Now I’ve been free, I know what a dreadful condition slavery is.” Harriet Tubman ran away from slavery in 1849, walking one hundred miles to freedom in the North. For the next sixteen years, Tubman risked her newfound freedom—and her life—to help about three hundred other slaves escape. During the Civil War, Tubman worked as a nurse and a scout for the Union army, and in her later years, she joined the struggle for the education of her people and for women’s rights.

An interesting look at the life and career of this talented tennis legend, Arthur Ashe was the first African-American male ever to play professional tennis, and would go on to win thirty-three tournaments. A teacher, author, and activist, as well as a tennis star, Ashe continued to be politically and socially active until he died of AIDS-related pneumonia.