Story of the Negro

Story of the Negro chronicles African-American history from ancient African civilizations through the mid-20th century. The groundbreaking 1948 children's book earned Arna Bontemps the distinction of being the first African-American author to receive a Newbery Honor. The text traces major historical events including the Atlantic slave trade, American slavery, the Haitian Slave Revolt, and the Underground Railroad. Key figures like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and W.E.B. Du Bois are featured throughout the narrative, which incorporates Langston Hughes's poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers." The book is structured in five sections that move chronologically from ancient African civilizations through the Civil Rights era. Bontemps wrote the book to fill gaps in standard historical education, including information he wished he had learned in his own schooling. Through its comprehensive historical account, Story of the Negro presents themes of resilience, the ongoing struggle for equality, and the importance of understanding African-American contributions to world history.

Readers value this 1948 children's history book for presenting Black history in an accessible, narrative style. Many note it fills gaps in standard history education, particularly around African civilizations and Black achievements. Readers appreciate: - Clear chronological organization - Focus on cultural contributions beyond slavery - Inclusion of African kingdoms and civilizations - Age-appropriate handling of difficult topics Common criticisms: - Dated language and terminology from its era - Some oversimplification of complex events - Limited coverage of women's roles Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (6 ratings) One teacher reviewer noted: "My students connected with the storytelling approach more than traditional textbooks." Another reader commented: "The section on African kingdoms opened my eyes to history I never learned in school." The book won the Jane Addams Children's Book Award in 1956 and remains in use in some schools despite its age.

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🔷 First published in 1948, "Story of the Negro" was one of the earliest comprehensive children's books about Black history written by an African American author 🔷 The book's author, Arna Bontemps, was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance and worked as a librarian at Fisk University while writing this groundbreaking work 🔷 Langston Hughes' poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" featured in the book was written when Hughes was just 17 years old, inspired by a train ride to Mexico 🔷 The book earned a Newbery Honor in 1949, making Bontemps the first African American writer to receive this prestigious children's literature recognition 🔷 Raymond Lufkin, who illustrated the book, was known for his work in both children's literature and advertising, bringing a distinctive style that helped make complex historical concepts more accessible to young readers