Nadine Buccilli Spano, Youth Services Librarian at Locust Valley Public Library in New York has been kind enough to share her review on the The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem's Greatest Bookstore by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson. Enjoy!
The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore.
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson illustrated by R. Gregory Christie.
Bibliographic citation:
Publisher:Carolrhoda Books ©2015
32 pages
ISBN 9780761339434
Age recommendation: Grade 1-4
Format: Hardcover
Awards/Selection lists: N/A
Annotation: Relates the story of the National Memorial African Bookstore, founded in Harlem by Louis Michaux in 1939, as seen from the perspective of Louis Michaux Jr., who met famous men like Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X while helping there.
Review: : “Don’t get took! Read a book!” Lewis Henri Michaux had a passion and a love for books. He called it his “itch” and he scratched it by spreading the power of words by opening the National Memorial African Bookstore in Harlem during the Civil Rights Movement. Just around the corner from the famous Apollo Theater, the bookstore drew some of the most famous people of the time such as Muhammad Ali, Louis Armstrong, and Malcolm X. Lewis Jr. worked for his dad in the bookshop and was a witness to hardships he faced getting a bank loan, and making his bookstore a success despite the turbulent times. . Michaux Sr. provided the black community of Harlem with the power of words and the freedom to learn. A great addition to all collections and especially important as a Black History Month selection. Recommended for grades 1-5.
-Nadine Buccilli Spano
The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore.
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson illustrated by R. Gregory Christie.
Bibliographic citation:
Publisher:Carolrhoda Books ©2015
32 pages
ISBN 9780761339434
Age recommendation: Grade 1-4
Format: Hardcover
Awards/Selection lists: N/A
Annotation: Relates the story of the National Memorial African Bookstore, founded in Harlem by Louis Michaux in 1939, as seen from the perspective of Louis Michaux Jr., who met famous men like Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X while helping there.
Review: : “Don’t get took! Read a book!” Lewis Henri Michaux had a passion and a love for books. He called it his “itch” and he scratched it by spreading the power of words by opening the National Memorial African Bookstore in Harlem during the Civil Rights Movement. Just around the corner from the famous Apollo Theater, the bookstore drew some of the most famous people of the time such as Muhammad Ali, Louis Armstrong, and Malcolm X. Lewis Jr. worked for his dad in the bookshop and was a witness to hardships he faced getting a bank loan, and making his bookstore a success despite the turbulent times. . Michaux Sr. provided the black community of Harlem with the power of words and the freedom to learn. A great addition to all collections and especially important as a Black History Month selection. Recommended for grades 1-5.
-Nadine Buccilli Spano