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Summary: A beautiful compilation of African American folklore!
Review: "Her Stories" is a delightful collection of nineteen stories from African American culture, retold by award-winning author Virginia Hamilton. The stories are divided into five categories: Her Animal Tales, Her Fairy Tales, Her Supernatural, Her Folkways and Legends, and Her True Tales. Each story focuses on a female, African American protagonist, and is about 3-4 pages in length. Hamilton's writing is vivid and colorful, yet remains simple enough that younger readers should have no trouble. The stories would also be great to read aloud. While Hamilton has translated the tales into contemporary language for easier understanding, she leaves a few conventions from Creole, Gullah, and other forms of speech that are best read aloud for full effect.The book is also a great study in African American literary and oral tradition, and is suitable for adults as well as children. Each story is followed by commentary from the author, providing the history of the tale, how it reflects African American heritage, explanation of any unusual aspects of the story, and any additional points of interest. Some of the stories are based in history, and others are entirely ficitonal. Some bear likenesses to more familiar tales as well - "Catskinella" is an alternative form of the popular Cinderella story, and "Little Girl and Buh Rabby," comes from the tradition of Brer Rabbit stories. "Her Stories" is also beautifully illustrated, bringing out the best in each tale. At the end of the book Hamilton has included some reflections on her own childhood, and how her mother influenced her decision to compile stories about strong African American women. This book is perfect for anyone, young or old and of any culture, interested in reading traditional folklore.
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Summary: This is a great book for pre teens.
Review: Although I am an adult, I really enjoyed this book. As Cammy and Elodie are learning to deal with the death of their cousin, Patty Ann, two new cousins come into the picture. Cammy starts to feel betrayed because Elodie likes to be around Jahnina and Gigi. Cammy envy's Jahnina and wishes that she could be more like her with her city ways and computer skills. While Cammy is dealing with her cousins she also starts to wish that her divorced mom and dad will get back together. All of a sudden, Cammy becomes angered when she realizes that Jahnina is not her cousin but her father's second daughter through an afair with another woman. Cammy eventually accepts her sister and realizes that adults are not human and they make mistakes. She also redeems her relationship with her mourning aunt (Patty Ann's mother) who helps her to realize that everyone is not perfect.
Rating:
Summary: This is a great book for pre teens.
Review: Although I am an adult, I really enjoyed this book. As Cammy and Elodie are learning to deal with the death of their cousin, Patty Ann, two new cousins come into the picture. Cammy starts to feel betrayed because Elodie likes to be around Jahnina and Gigi. Cammy envy's Jahnina and wishes that she could be more like her with her city ways and computer skills. While Cammy is dealing with her cousins she also starts to wish that her divorced mom and dad will get back together. All of a sudden, Cammy becomes angered when she realizes that Jahnina is not her cousin but her father's second daughter through an afair with another woman. Cammy eventually accepts her sister and realizes that adults are not human and they make mistakes. She also redeems her relationship with her mourning aunt (Patty Ann's mother) who helps her to realize that everyone is not perfect.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful collection for any girl OR boy
Review: Here is another fantastic anthology from Virginia Hamilton, the award-winning author of "House of Dies Drear" and "The People Could Fly". This volume, also featuring the wonderful illustrations of Leo & Diane Dillon, is an eye-opener for those only familiar with European folktales. Hamilton's book is divided into five sections: (1) Her Animal Tales, (2) Her Fairy Tales, (3) Her Supernatural, (4) Her Folkways and Legends, and (5) Her True Tales. Each section contains an average of four stories, accompanied by informative and entertaining background historical data. Young readers will love the author's prose and the illustrators' beautiful paintings. Older readers and parents will gain a greater appreciation for a culture that has been too long ignored. These stories are as valid and fanciful as any of their more familiar European counterparts. The book ends with a list of valuable resources where one can find other examples of African-American folklore.
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Summary: Untitled
Review: I don't care if you're African American or Caucasian, 6, 16, or 60; if you are female, you should read this book. Not only are the folktales, fairy tales, and true tales here wonderfully spun, but the illustrations are so masterfully rendered that they will take your breath away too. Stories like these are the foundation of culture. All too often we overlook them as low brow and common when what we should be doing is revering them for the treasure that they are. When you are finished reading "Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales" you should buy a copy for someone you know.
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Summary: Every Girl Should Own This Book!
Review: I don't care if you're African American or Caucasian, 6, 16, or 60; if you are female, you should read this book. Not only are the folktales, fairy tales, and true tales here wonderfully spun, but the illustrations are so masterfully rendered that they will take your breath away too. Stories like these are the foundation of culture. All too often we overlook them as low brow and common when what we should be doing is revering them for the treasure that they are. When you are finished reading "Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales" you should buy a copy for someone you know.
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Summary: second cousins
Review: I gave this book a five star because i thought it was a real good book it was about these two girls who meet their second cousins when they wher going to Cammy dads house cause Cammy dad said that she could come over any time so they left the siwmming pool to go over there when they got there Cammy showed her all the rooms in the house but saved the best for last when they got to that room Cammy said here's my room and opened the door and found two girls in the beds so Cammy asked what are you doing here but the two girls got smart.So Cammy asked them whats their names is they said GiGi and Fractal then one girl got up and start dancing around Cammy started to get mad so she said come on El and they left.When they got home their mom said your second cousins are coming over for dinner and Cammy knew who her mom was talking about after that they got real close to each other.Yes i would recommend this good book to people.
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Summary: second cousins
Review: I had the pleasure of buying the book "Herstories" from the author herself. It is a "Must Have" book if you've read any of her earlier books. Ms. Hamilton told me that many of the stories in this book came handed down to her. As you may already know, Virginia Hamilton died on February 19, 2002. "Herstories" is the perfet gift for those who want to keep her memories alive. The art work that Leo and Diane Dillon bring to the pages of "Herstories" is like nothing that you've ever seen in a childrens book - they make the stories come alive on the pages! Readers note: Please note that spell-check was not avalible to me as I was writing this review!
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Summary: in memory of Virginia Hamilton
Review: I had the pleasure of buying the book "Herstories" from the author herself. It is a "Must Have" book if you've read any of her earlier books. Ms. Hamilton told me that many of the stories in this book came handed down to her. As you may already know, Virginia Hamilton died on February 19, 2002. "Herstories" is the perfet gift for those who want to keep her memories alive. The art work that Leo and Diane Dillon bring to the pages of "Herstories" is like nothing that you've ever seen in a childrens book - they make the stories come alive on the pages! Readers note: Please note that spell-check was not avalible to me as I was writing this review!
Rating:
Summary: Untitled
Review: I read this book for a book report, and because i could not choose another one i could not stop reading it. Because I was forced to read this book I now have the knoledge and misfortune of this pathetically boring story. The steriotypical characters hurried through the story full of excuses. 1 star for one very boring book.
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