H Is for Harlem
by
Dinah Johnson
illustrated by
April Harrison
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Hachette Book Group
Imprint
Christy Ottaviano Books
ISBN
9780316322379
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
None
This richly informative and gorgeously illustrated book celebrates Harlem’s vibrant traditions, past and present.
A is for Apollo Theatre
L is for Liberation Bookstore
U is for Uptown
Discover the Harlem icons that have defined generations of American culture. Harlem is full of remarkable treasures, including museums, performance spaces, community centers, and more—all of which come to life in this lavish celebration of Harlem as an epicenter of African American history and a vibrant neighborhood that continues to shape our world. At once a love letter and a rich alphabetical archive, H Is for Harlem highlights communities and traditions that connect our past and present.
Author’s note. Full-color illustrations done in mixed media/collage.
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
None
Details
Format
Page Count
48
Trim Size
12" x 10"
Dewey
974.7
AR
0: points 0
Genre
Nonfic
Scholastic Reading Counts
0
JLG Release
Dec 2022
Book Genres
Picture Book
Topics
African Americans. New York State history. Harlem, New York City. English language alphabet. Music. US history and culture. Neighborhoods and communities. Urban and city life.
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Cover Art
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Praise & Reviews
Praise & Reviews
School Library Journal
School Library Journal
Library Journal
K-Gr 4-The cultural riches of Harlem are innumerable-its museums, community centers, performance spaces, restaurants, and bookstores are all icons of Black experience in the U.S. Harlem's triumphs, past and present, unfold in this alphabetic exploration and explosion of major landmarks, people, sports, and the arts, leaving no doubt that Harlem's impact on the American ethos reverberates far beyond 125th Street. Johnson describes the locale as being called the "mecca of Black America, a place where African American culture is living and breathing, shining and indestructible." Whether focused on a person, a place, or something more abstract like kinfolk, each entry weaves in just the right amount of information to build a broader understanding of what Harlem was and is. Johnson keenly incorporates more minor letter-specific highlights when the opportunity arises, broadening the work's informational scope. The text is illuminated with patchwork illustrations that play with texture, scale, and perspective in quilt-like dissonance. Harrison's artistic hand oscillates between naivete and realism, and the complexity of her illustrations will have young readers poring over the details. She brings an uptown cool vibe to even small grace notes, like the hand-lettering of street signs, the slant of the awnings and marquees, and the colors of the buildings, as diverse as the residents themselves in this historic village-within-a-city. VERDICT An ode to the beating heart of African American culture with remarkable depth and breadth. This title is a celebration of Harlem's vibrancy, dynamism, and significance.-Sarah Simpson?(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Grades 2-6
City Elementary
For Grades 2-6
Urban situations and plot lines featuring ethnically and culturally diverse characters give these books a unique city flavor and feel. Young urban readers will find familiar images, and readers who are not from the city will enjoy exploring life from a new perspective. The 12 books you'll receive in this category will ensure that urban adventures are available all year long.
12 books per Year
$254.88 per Year
Interests
Diversity,Fiction,Positive Messages
Grades 2-6
City Elementary
12 books per Year
$254.88 per Year
