Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 7-12. As in Latino Voices [BKL O 1 94], these titles in the fine Writers of America series provide insights into the cultures and experiences of American minorities through an exploration of their literary traditions. Each book begins with an interesting introduction that explains dominant themes, provides information about the authors and their works, and links the selections. Selections by such writers as W.E.B. Du Bois, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and Ralph Ellison are included in African-American Voices, and traditional chants, speeches, stories, and poetry are among the 30 works in American Indian Voices. Given the current interest in multicultural education, these collections will be valuable additions not only to school and public libraries, but to classroom collections as well. Source notes and a bibliography are provided in each volume. --Chris Sherman
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 UpThis anthology is divided into four sectionsbeliefs, traditions, change, and survivaleach of which is prefaced with an introduction explaining what its broad theme means. Although many recent books on Native cultural history take this approach, Harvey addresses the topics through Indian voices rather than through anthropology. Roughly chronological, the sections on ``beliefs'' and ``traditions'' contain more historical voices, while ``change'' and ``survival'' focus on contemporary writers. But those categories are by no means exclusive; indeed, the arrangements of modern poetry, speeches, prayers, short stories, and autobiographical essays within each chapter convey the timelessness of Native beliefs and traditions as well as the fluidity of change and survival. The 38 selections contain some surprises, such as Buddy Red Bow's lyrics to his rock-and-roll song, ``Black Hills Dreamer,'' and Jack Forbes's satirical piece on who is eligible to play in an all-Indian basketball tournament (``Only Approved Indians Can Play: Made in USA''), as well as contributions from some familiar names (Black Elk, Louise Erdrich, N. Scott Momaday). Black-and-white reproductions of the paintings of Native artists are unobtrusively scattered throughout. Sources for each of the poems and prose pieces are given. A succinct book that will make a fine addition to most collections.Lisa Mitten, University of Pittsburgh, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
A sampling of Native-American stories, speeches, poetry, and songs contains some exceptional selections from authors such as Louise Erdrich, N. Scott Momaday, and many lesser-known creators. However, the writers are not introduced adequately or uniformly; the artwork is poorly reproduced in black and white; and despite its division into four specific sections -- 'Beliefs,' 'Traditions,' 'Change,' and 'Survival ' -- the volume lacks focus. Bib., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
