Book Review: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton

THE REMARKABLE STORY OF GEORGE MOSES HORTON POET by Don Tate tells the inspiring story of the first southern African-American man to become a published author.

George Moses Horton grew up as a slave working on a farm in North Carolina. After learning to read he began to compose poetry. Although his slave owner refused to set him free, he was able to write and sell his poetry professionally until he was emancipated during the Civil War.

Tate’s attractive illustrations include verses that flow across many pages bringing Horton’s words alive for readers.

Librarians will find this picture book to be an excellent addition to their biography collection. Combine it with other author biographies in a library display. Or, include it in a collection of biographies related to slavery.

Learn more about the author at http://dontate.com/.

Published by Peachtree Publishers on September 1, 2015. Review copy courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Serafina and the Black Cloak

SERAFINA AND THE BLACK CLOAK by Robert Beatty is a spooky fantasy sure to capture the imagination of middle grade readers.

Set in 1899, Serafina and her adoptive father live in the basement of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. When children staying at the estate begin to disappear, Serafina attempts to solve the mystery of their disappearance and ultimately discovers a connection to her own unusual origin.

From the first few pages, readers will be curious about Serafina’s past and speculate about her peculiar appearance and talents. Beatty’s masterful balance of suspenseful situations involving the man with the black cloak and sweet encounters between Serafina and Braeden make this fantasy appealing to a wide range of readers.

Librarians will find an audience for this book with children who enjoy fast-paced suspense, historical mystery, and spooky fantasy. However lovers of historical fiction, magical creature characters, and friendship stories will also find the book appealing.

To learn more about the author, go to http://robert-beatty.com/.

Published by Disney-Hyperion on July 14, 2015.