Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jamey Christoph. Great for older students, this handsomely illustrated picture book introduces readers to the versatile and influential Gordon Parks. Weatherford begins her elegant and concise account of Parks' life at the most logical place: the moment he is born. It is a dramatic birth because he arrives stillborn and needs ice water to shock his heart to beat (and I love Christoph's emotional illustration--Parks' mother shedding a tear of relief and joy as she holds her newborn child). The author effectively uses the present tense to bring to immediacy to her telling, showing how Parks encounters loves life on the prairie, encounters a racist white teacher, and works odd jobs. Parks' life changes when he buys a camera for $7.50 at age 25; the financially troubled man finds success taking fashion photos and portraits. Christoph does an excellent job recreating these photographs with his drawings. Parks becomes an activist as a photographer using his work to show racial inequality and struggle in America. Weatherford beautifully then shows how Parks focuses on Ella Watson, a cleaning lady who, along with her family, becomes the subject of some of his most famous shots. Informative back matter, including some examples of his photographs including his iconic "American Gothic," reveals more information about Parks who would go on to write novels, direct movies, and compose music and poetry. A first-rate book about a fascinating individual.
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