Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans

Written by Kadir Nelson

Narrated by Debbie Allen

The story of America and African Americans is a story of hope and inspiration and unwavering courage. Kadir Nelson's award-winning Heart and Soul is about the men, women, and children who toiled in the hot sun picking cotton; 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.

Kadir Nelson's Heart and Soul—the winner of numerous awards, including the Coretta Scott King Author Award and Illustrator Honor, and the recipient of five starred reviews—is told through the unique point of view and intimate voice of a one-hundred-year-old African-American female narrator.

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Sep 27, 2011
• ISBN: 9780062125255

Kadir Nelson

Kadir Nelson is a two-time Caldecott Honor recipient. Among his other awards are an NAACP Image Award, and the 2009 and 2014 Coretta Scott King Author Award. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and The New Yorker. He lives in Los Angeles, CA. www.kadirnelson.com Twitter: @kadirnelson Instagram:@kadirnelson

Reviews for Heart and Soul

[sassy_seshat_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was disappointed in this book because is reinforces the same slavery to freedom narrative that children hear every year in school. It is beautifully illustrated but it is not groundbreaking in it's story-telling. I wish other stories were told, he left out key "radical" figures and generally told only the story that supports the American narrative. This book could have remained unwritten and Nelson could have donated the drawings to an updated or abridged version of John Hope Franklin's "From Slavery to Freedom."

[zoes_human · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Middle Grade Nonfiction - US History Grades: 6 - 8Ages: 11 - 13Lexile Measure: 1050LDRA Level: 60Themes: African American, African American history, Civil Rights movement, equality & justice & fairness, prejudice & discrimination, slavery & Underground Railroad & abolition, tolerance & acceptance, racismThe art in this book is incredible. I don't know enough about art to accurately classify it, but it is realistic and beautiful - which was mentally awkward when looking at gorgeously rendered paintings of horrible things. For me, this dissonance enhanced the emotional experience of the book by contrasting the two disparate feelings. Heart and Soul includes tough topics to speak about to the young. The author strikes an excellent balance between not diminishing how terrible much of the history is yet not presenting young minds with detailed facts that may be too brutal for them to process just yet. In addition to examining slavery and civil rights, the book addresses the Great Migration, the many inventions of African Americans, black cowboys, the Harlem Renaissance, etc. There is, frankly and disappointingly, more Black history in this book than I was ever taught in public school. While it doesn't cover anything in depth, it provides an excellent overview and numerous names for further research by curious minds.

[christianr_899499 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Spectacular history of African Americans in the US. Told in a deeply personal way yet still accessible and concise. Gorgeous illustrations.

[whisper1_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The lush, exquisite illustrations of Kadir Nelson with the accompanying background of the journey of Black Americans from Colonial times through the Civil Rights movement and beyond is a must read book for anyone interested in American History and the most important accomplishments of Black Americans.Never an easy journey, I came away with the reinforcement that we can never repay what needs to be paid.

[mad.river.librarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book should be required reading for all students, grades 6 and up. Kadir Nelson is unequivocally at the top of his game, bringing to life the vividness, the starkness, the rawness, the struggles, and the strengths of African Americans in American history. Told through the narrative drawl of a grandmother speaking to a "chile", Nelson weaves a deeply personal history into our shared history, making what is once singular and unique, pervasive and universal. His artwork is gorgeous, drawing out a richness and poignancy from well-known historical figures such as Harriet Tubman and Jackie Robinson as well as from the anonymous faces of slaves and sharecroppers with equal dignity and pride.

What absolutely astounds me is that the dull textbooks of American history are considered required reading and books such as this, a multiple Coretta Scout King Award winner, are left to gather dust on library shelves. This, quite frankly, isn't a book most students are going to pick up and read for pleasure. It is, however, a book they will likely devour and undoubtedly remember if and when an insightful teacher adds it to their curriculum.

Not to be missed. Highly recommended.

[turrean_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully told and illustrated.

[backus2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Can you recall the story of America AND the African Americans? Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson conveys a breathtaking and concise truth about America as we know it through the eyes of an African American nameless grandmother. This historical fiction book would be a great text to use in any classroom from fourth grade and up. It captures topics all the way from the colonial days up to Obama’s presidency through themes such as hardships, slavery, equality, acceptance, racism etc. Through the beautiful images and words portrayed, this book mesmerized me from page one until the very last word; this book is an inspiration to all.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A handsomely illustrated, concise chronicle of African American history narrated in the voice of an "Everywoman."

[jenj5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

AAPLD Blog Entry:
Imagine: You’re standing in the Capitol Building in Washington D. C., looking at the paintings depicting the forming and history of our nation, the United States. After a few moments, you start looking quickly from picture to picture as you begin to notice not one person in those paintings looks like you or the people in your family – not one of them is black. Now, you know black Africans have been part of our history – there was a whole war that happened in part to end their enslavement. So where are they? What part did African Americans play in the history of the U.S.? Kadir Nelson brings us the answers in this lusciously illustrated volume that shows black Africans have been part of America since the very beginning. Using some of his own family stories, Nelson starts with colonization and takes us all the way through Martin Luther King, Jr.’s epic “I Have a Dream” speech showing how African Americans have been, and continue to be, a vital part of America.

The illustrations are amazing, the text is very good. This is an important book that fills in some gaps in the history of the U.S. I think it would be a good choice for parents to read aloud (at bedtime or whenever) and discuss with grade school age kids. Backmatter includes an author's note, bibliography, timeline and index.

[michelleannlib · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The voice of this story was breathtaking. Seriously amazing, paired with Kadir Nelson's amazing artwork. Wow. I'm grading it down one star because this book should have a marvelous cover, and it does not.

[jessgonzz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I ejoyed reading this book but most of all I enjoyed looking at the great art work pictures it has. The paintings are really eye catching. Also the author does a good job explaing historical events in a modern way.

[tamarasmith_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very good book. You don't have to read front back to get the information. It's more of a chapter book and each chapter has beautful illustrations. Very realistic paintngs of different historic events. The c hapters are a bit lengthy so I woul reccomend this for maybe 4-6 graders. It's a great book to read to students I don't see kids reading this on their own.

[dbcollin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heart and Soul is reflective look into the history of African Americans in the United States. It sheds light on the hardships as well as celebrates the achievments of black people. Afro-Americans are an integral part of U.S. history and this book tells the story.

[alyson_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great story, great subject and amazing illustrations from Kadir Nelson.

[mccabe1030 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When I first began to complete a picture walk of the book, I thought that the illustrations were from various art works from various artists. I think this is because the first few were of a photograph in a frame and a gentlemen looking at a painting in a museum. I could feel the strength and determination from the paintings as I turned each page. Each face looked more real just by glancing at the facial expressions on each person displayed. The lighting Mr. Nelson used on each painting also helps to move the reader to another section. The text depicts the history of African Americans from the time of the Declaration of Independence to Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. A powerful story of the struggles and triumphs that once race of Americans went through to earn them the right to be called African-Americans.

[ander23_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heart and soul is in many stories put together to create an exceptional book about African American history. The story of America and African Americans is a story of hope and inspiration and unwavering courage. However, this is not a normal history book in any way. First of all, this book has the most beautiful pictures. The detail in these pictures is unreal. 4.5 stars.

[ginarentz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Not sure if I can choose the writing over the artwork. Both are compelling and a must read and own by all teachers and schools!! Love love love

[nbmars · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story, told in the voice of an African-American elder female teaching the young, begins with the admission of why American history has been a difficult subject for blacks to address:"Most folks my age and complexion don’t speak much about the past. Sometimes it’s just too hard to talk about - nothing we like to share with you young folk. No parent wants to tell a child that he was once a slave and made to do another man’s bidding. Or that she had to swallow her pride and take what she was given, even though she knew it wasn’t fair. Our story is chock-full of things like this. Things that might make you cringe, or feel angry. But there are also parts that will make you proud, or even laugh a little. You gotta take the good with the bad, I guess. You have to know where you come from so you can move forward.”The book begins with the establishment of American colonies, and ends with the election of Barak Obama as president. Nelson covers most of the important landmarks adding explanation and analysis in simple but penetrating terms, including explanations of how the Founding Fathers felt about slavery and how and why it was defended by the South. He mentions blacks who made significant contributions to politics and culture, and he talks about how blacks were treated even when they joined whites to fight for freedom and democracy in world wars. He gives just enough information on people and events to show that there is more to American history than is covered in the usual white history books, and to whet the reader’s appetite for more. And Nelson’s pictures, are, as always, inspirational.Evaluation: This well-written book also includes a timeline, bibliography, and index. It recently won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Children's category and the Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults. Highly recommended for ages 9 and up.

[shazzerwise_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As posted on Outside of a Dog:It's a rare conundrum when I find myself wondering, which award should this book win? Newbery or Caldecott? The question came up with Brian Selznick's visionary The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which eventually went on to win a Caldecott medal. I asked it again with Selznick's latest, Wonderstruck (though I don't think Caldecott lightning will strike twice. Hugo's medal was a departure for the award, a statement, and I don't see it happening again). And then I come to Kadir Nelson's Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans. It's a beautiful work, in words and pictures, and I simply can't decide where it belongs more. It's possible we might have our first double winner or honor since 1982 (when A Visit to William Blake's Inn won the Newbery medal and a Caldecott honor). It would be only the second book to be awarded by both committees.Nelson's second time up to bat as an author (the first being the Coretta Scott King illustrator honor book, We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball), Heart and Soul recounts the history of the African Americans in America, told by a nameless grandmother figure. She tells the history as it relates to her family, mostly straightforwardly, but every once a while, in a voice that lets you know she's speaking just to you. The story begins around the Revolution and continues on through the signing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964. Through the pages, the narrator speaks of Slavery and Reconstruction, of Women's Rights and African American inventors and finally of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the movement of peaceful demonstration.I said before that Heart and Soul is a beautiful work, and it is. Stunning, really. Nelson's paintings are full of light and darkness, of texture and depth. They cover famous faces and made up faces, but each face is full of truth and beauty. Every page is worthy of being framed and mounted, and I can't imagine the Caldecott committee looking at this book and not wanting to reward it. As for Newbery, non-fiction is rarely given the medal, but often on the radar. Nelson's text is spare and to the point. By giving us a human narrator, he is acknowledging that this is not a complete history. All people have gaps and blind spots. It allows Nelson to be more subjective with his history. Not that he gets anything wrong, not to my knowledge, but it is a somewhat one-sided history. But such was Nelson's way with words, that I wanted more of them. I was disappointed that the history ended in 1964, though an Epilogue does give us a summing up of the succeeding years, up to the election of Barack Obama in 2008.That Heart and Soul deserves some shiny medal stickers is a no-brainer. It's definitely in the running not only for the Newbery Award and the Caldecott Medal, but the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and the Sibert Medal, which goes to the best "informational" book of the year, an award won by We Are the Ship in 2009. Frankly, I don't care how and what it wins, only that it is rewarded. It's easily one of my favorite books of the year.

[abbylibrarian_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Hmmm. This book. It's true that there's nothing quite like it and for that it is valuable. It's also true that Kadir Nelson is an artistic genius and the book's well worth paging through for the art alone. I guess it comes down to whether you approach the book as nonfiction (and if you don't approach it as nonfiction, how do you approach it?). To boil down hundreds of years of history into 100 pages is no small feat and it's led to some oversimplifications that I feel are misleading. With detailed source notes, I think I could get on board, but those aren't provided (however, a bibliography is provided). I can see this as a valuable supplementary resource, but, though the tone is conversational and kid-friendly, kids are going to need scaffolding or else they're going to come away confused about some issues.

[chloepalmer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Balzar + Bay, 2011. $19.99. Ages 9 and up.A far cry from the typical American history text book, Kadir Nelson captures the spirit of African Americans and their rich legacy with Heart and Soul. Told from the unique perspective of an old, black woman, each chapter thoroughly examines a different era in American history from the thirteen original colonies to Civil Rights, including unfamiliar topics such as Buffalo Soldiers and black innovations. Nelson’s chops as an artist manifest in the vivid, occasionally heart-breaking illustrations of famous African Americans and the moments in time that depict not only a race of people, but our history as a nation. Heart and Soul serves as a testament to the men and women that history often ignores. By presenting a rarely seen perception of famous events throughout time, Nelson subtly encourages the reader to re-evaluate their own beliefs while providing an entertaining and compelling story. –Chloe Palmer