Module 12: Nelson Mandela

Summary

In this picture book biography entitled, Nelson Mandela, by Kadir Nelson, we get a glimpse into the life of Nelson Mandela and his struggles for racial justice and equality in apartheid South Africa. The book begins with a young Rolihlahla playing in the fields of South Africa, but when Rolihlahla goes to school, his teacher would not say his real name and ended up calling him Nelson instead. Nelson continued his education and eventually became a lawyer who defended the rights of poor and powerless. Eventually, the South African government instituted a policy of segregation called apartheid. Nelson organized and fought back against this unjust policy which landed Nelson in jail for decades while doing hard labor while in prison. As time passed, the government changed, apartheid ended and nelson was set free after twenty-seven years in prison. He was then elected president of South Africa. At the end of the book, the author gives a summary of Nelson Mandela's life.

Reference

 Nelson, K., & Rago, M. (2013). Nelson Mandela. New York, NY: Katherine Tegen Books. 

Impressions

The book provides a very brief look at the struggles and life of Nelson Mandela from when he was a child until he became president of South Africa. The illustrations are very large and take up both pages which provides for a very intimate feel with story. I would have liked if the book gave a bit more information on his presidency and his death since the book was published well after his death in 2013. For the pacing of the book, it probably made sense to end the book right when he is elected president as it ends on a high and positive note, but as a reader, I was thinking, "What happens next?" It reminds me of how the struggle for social, economic, and racial justice does not end with the election of an official to office, but it requires sustained awareness, organization, and resistance to all forms of oppression and inequality. After an election, it is easy to relax and forget about the issues and challenges that still continue to plague our society, but in this book, Nelson Mandela did not give up his fight after the government decided to enact apartheid, which signals to the reader that the struggle continues as long as there are oppressed and exploited people in the world.

Professional Review

Bush, E. (2013). Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson (review). Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 66(7), 347-348. The Johns Hopkins University Press. Retrieved December 8, 2016, from Project MUSE database.

Library Uses

This book could be used for a display of those who fought for social and racial justice around the globe.