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bookgurl488's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
He gave a voice to segregation and I am truly grateful. He also challenged what it means to give everyone equal rights through the constitution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Racism
jaij7's review against another edition
5.0
Ever read a book and just know that the subject was meant for you? I loved reading this book about Gordon Parks and felt moved by his photographs and life story.
carolynaugustyn's review against another edition
3.0
Important topic and well told, but I think it could have used another 5 or so pages to flesh the story out just a touch more. The writing and art were both delightful and I would have liked some more of his life. I felt like the book ended rather abruptly.
lofimichelleeo's review against another edition
3.0
Gordon Parks was an amazing photographer. This is a simple but beautifully illustrated introduction to him and his work.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the illustrations in this picture book bio. I also enjoyed the topic. Gordon Parks was not a person I was familiar with so I appreciated getting to know him a little. The text was kept simple and that was okay. There is a section at the end that fills in a little more, but I think a serious gap is leaving out what the name "American Gothic" meant. I also noticed a conflict between the text and back matter. In the story, he is 15 when his mother dies and goes to live with his sister in Minneapolis. In the back matter he is 14 and goes to live with his sister in St. Paul. I checked at the Gordon Parker museum in his biography there and the back matter was correct.
The illustrations and topic make this one worth the read, but I wish that the mistakes weren't there and that things were explained just a little more for younger readers. Resources would be helpful too.
The illustrations and topic make this one worth the read, but I wish that the mistakes weren't there and that things were explained just a little more for younger readers. Resources would be helpful too.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
When Gordon Parks was growing up, his white teachers told him he'd never be more than a waiter or porter, but Parks changed the world with his photographs showing black America and the rampant racism going on. This is an interesting look at an artist that many kids will not be familiar with. Back matter includes some of Parks's photos.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
3.0
Brief biography of photographer Gordon Parks, who was self-taught and did portraits in Chicago before working for the Farm Security Administration documenting social conditions in America; he exposes racism, is famous for the "American Gothic"-style photo of a black "charwoman" (cleaning lady) with her mop and broom in front of an American flag. Then he worked for LIFE magazine and Vogue; he was also the first African-American to write and direct a feature film (The Learning Tree), wrote novels and poetry, and composed music, none of which I had ever heard about before. The illustrations are browns and purples, sepiatoned, look very 1940s, stylized and yet sketchy too. Detailed author's note but no sources or bibliography included.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
The author does a good job portraying Park's youth and how he was driven to pick up a camera.
stephb413's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful images, text, and story. The line "You don't have to hear her story to know her prayer" in reference to Park's American Gothic portrait of Ms. Ella Watson's captured image will remain in with me.
erine's review against another edition
4.0
The illustrations are beautiful, and the text gives you just the smallest taste of a fascinating man's life.