Toni Morrison (Journey to Freedom)

Rating:
Summary: The story of one of the greatest living American writers
Review: Toni Morrison received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993 for her writings dealing primarily with the experience of women within the black community. Her first book, "The Bluest Eye" was published in 1970 and she came to national attention with her 1977 novel "Song of Solomon." Morrison won the Pulitzer Prize for her 1987 novel "Beloved." All of her works display a poetic style that is fused with elements of fantasy and myth that give them great power. "Good Fiction," says Morrison, "should be beautiful, and powerful, but it should also work. It should have something in it that enlightens, something in it that opens the door and points the way."

This juvenile biography of Morrison by Amy Robin Jones tells us about the life of one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. Morrison was born Chloe Wofford in the suburbs of Cleveland, so that her experience of racism growing up was that of the more subtle but no less hateful Northern variety. In college Morrison studied the work of William Faulkner and Virginia Woolf, developing her belief that writing should be beautiful and simple. Morrison taught black culture and politics at Howard University before becoming a senior editor at Random House in 1967. Three years later her first novel was published. Eventually, after 20 years as an editor, Morrison returned to teaching becoming a professor at Princeton University.

Students will find it interesting to learn the path Morrison took to becoming a writer. Of course, teachers and parents will need to provide some guidance for young readers who want to read one of Morrison's novels after reading about her life, because they really should not begin with "Beloved," even if it is the best known. Morrison is a writer where going through her works chronologically has greater value than most, so "The Bluest Eye" would be my recommendation. This is another excellent volume in the Journey to Freedom series, which seeks to educate students about the achievements and contributions of noted African Americans. I would also recommend the book on Maya Angelou from this series as well.