Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne
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“A powerful story.” –The Horn Book “A worthy addition to children’s biography collections.” –Booklist “A solid treatment of an important but little-known figure, and it may prompt kids to think about the role and composition of a free press.” –BCCB “Cline-Ransome tells [Ethel Payne’s] story with economy and drive. ‘Somebody had to do the fighting, ‘ she quotes Payne saying, ‘somebody had to speak up.’” –Publishers Weekly Renowned author Lesa Cline-Ransome and celebrated illustrator John Parra unite to tell the inspiring story of Ethel Payne, a groundbreaking African American journalist known as the First Lady of the Black Press. “I’ve had a box seat on history.” Ethel Payne always had an ear for stories. Seeking truth, justice, and equality, Ethel followed stories from her school newspaper in Chicago to Japan during World War II. It even led her to the White House briefing room, where she broke barriers as the only black female journalist. Ethel wasn’t afraid to ask the tough questions of presidents, elected officials, or anyone else in charge, earning her the title, “First Lady of the Black Press.” Fearless and determined, Ethel Payne shined a light on the darkest moments in history, and her ear for stories sought answers to the questions that mattered most in the fight for Civil Rights.
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The Creatives Behind the Book
Lesa Cline-Ransome is the author of many books for children, including My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle & Journey to Alvin Ailey, which was an ALA Notable Book, an IRA Notable Book for a Global Society, and an NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended title for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children; Satchel Paige, an ALA Notable Book and a Top 10 Sports Book for Youth; and Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass, which The New York Times Book Review called, “visceral, intimate, and plainly told, this story is sure to move young children, and also motivate them to read more.” Her books were all illustrated by her husband, James E. Ransome. A graduate of the Pratt Institute, she holds a master’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from NYU. She lives with her family in upstate New York. Visit her at LesaClineRansome.com.
John Parra is an award winning illustrator of many books for young readers, including Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Monica Brown, named a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book, and Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans by Phil Bildner, which won the SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration. His other awards include the ALA Pura Belpré Honors, and the Christopher’s Award. Additionally his books have appeared on Bank Street’s and Smithsonian Magazine’s: Best Children’s Books of the Year lists. In 2015 John was invited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to present a special event about his work and career in art and illustration. Today his work can be seen at the U.S. Post Office on six new Forever Stamps titled: Delicioso, with art images celebrating Latino food cuisine. John’s most recent book, Hey Wall: A Story of Art and Community, with author Susan Verde, was released this past Fall 2018.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9781481462891
- Publication Date
- January 14, 2020
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster-Paula Wiseman Books
- Page Count
- 48
- Reading Age
- 4 - 8 years
- Lib. of Congress (LCCN)
- 2019006401
- Lexile® Level
- NC1080L
- Est. Fountas & Pinnell Level
- ~Z
- ATOS® Book Level
- 5.9
- Accelerated Reader® Points
- 0.5
- Accelerated Reader Quiz
- 507737
- Accelerated Reader Interest Level
- LG
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