Heart and Soul

Mindful Muslim Reader recommendations childrens books Heart and Soul the story of America and African Americans
Synopsis
Heart and Soul is about the men, women, and children who toiled in the hot sun picking cotton for their masters; it's about the America ripped in two by Jim Crow laws; it's about the brothers and sisters of all colors who rallied against those who would dare bar a child from an education. It's a story of discrimination and broken promises, determination, and triumphs. This inspiring book demonstrates that in striving for freedom and equal rights, African Americans help our country on the journey toward its promise of liberty and justice—the true heart and soul of our nation.
  • Virtue
    VIRTUE
    Is this the way I want my child to think and act?
    Ratings are based on how much a book extols Islamic morality and espouses classical ideals.
  • Language
    LANGUAGE
    Is this the way I want my child to speak?
    Ratings are based on a book's vocabulary, cadence, and overall eloquence suited to age level.
  • Story
    STORY
    Does this story resonate with my child?
    Ratings are based on the integrity of plot structure, the depth of characters, the palpability of the book's conflict and resolution, and the lure of its setting.
  • Beauty
    BEAUTY
    Does this book develop my child's ability to recognize beauty?
    Ratings are based on aesthetics, linguistic beauty, poignancy, and how well a book embodies ihsan—harmonizing excellence.
VIEW FLAGS
Mindful Muslim Review

“You have to know where you come from so you can move forward.” Kadir Nelson uses the voice of an elder to pass down the history of three generations of a family, creating a compelling narrative for young readers, and earning our Gold Star. His poignant portraits and double-page spreads draw readers into a comprehensive introduction of the history of America and African Americans. Starting with the early days of America through the civil rights movement, this book gently touches upon the hardships and triumphs found in small moments, significant events, and turning points in our history, showing how our present is inextricably linked to our past—a very important lesson for our children. This book provides an excellent starting point for a more in-depth study of key historical events and figures and can strengthen a child’s understanding of related historical fiction pieces. Note: Debbie Allen’s narration of the audiobook is excellent as it brings the historical account to life.

Ages: ,
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Published: 2011
Page Count: 112
ISBN13: 9780061730795
*This review applies only to ISBN number noted above.

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