Josephine

Written by Patricia Hruby Powell · Illustrated by Christian Robinson

From poverty to stardom, Josephine Baker's journey defies the odds.

5.5/7 Bookroo expert·3.9/5 Goodreads · 4,555 ratings

104 pages· 3,874 words· Est. 30 min read-aloud

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Discover the incredible journey of Josephine Baker, a performer who rose from the slums of St. Louis to international fame. Her story, told through vibrant verse and illustrations, captures her fight for civil rights and her triumph over adversity. What challenges did she face, and how did she become a symbol of hope and change? This inspiring tale of struggle and success invites young readers to explore the life of a true legend.

From the publisher

In exuberant verse and stirring pictures, Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson create an extraordinary portrait for young people of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world. Meticulously researched by both author and artist, Josephine’s powerful story of struggle and triumph is an inspiration and a spectacle, just like the legend herself.

Awards

Coretta Scott King Honor (2015)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2014)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2015)

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 104
Words: 3,874
Reading age: 7–10
Audience: Juvenile Reader
Lexile: 790L

Themes & topics

Books about Coretta Scott King Award Winners Books about dance Books about history Books about World War II Books about war

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.5

out of 7

5.5

“The illustrations in this book are amazing! This book has such a unique feel through the text and pictures. It's separated into different time periods and sections of Josephine's life. A few notes on the content--this book is about civil rights and has a few things that might be better suited for older children. It mentions gambling halls and shots of whiskey and how white people beat, murdered, and burned black men.”

B is for Bookworm

Trusted reviewer

For readers who can't stop at one