Book: Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black
and White America
and White America
Author: Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Jamey Christoph
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company in Chicago, Illinois
Copyright Date: 2015
Age Range: 4-8
Lexile reading level: 840
This book tells the story of how a young Gordon Parks grew up in the
Midwest and trials that he faced growing up in the early to mid part of
the 20th century as a black man. He is born the youngest of fifteen
children. He was originally born a stillborn but a dip in ice water shocks
his heart to beat. Gordon would go on to become one of the first black
directors in Hollywood; his most famous movie was Shaft in 1971. But
prior to his success as a photographer, writer and director; he was growing
up poor and looking for work. He then bought a camera for $7.50 and this
move changed his life forever. He got a job working for the government in
Washington D.C. and when he got to our nation’s capital, he noticed the
segregation all throughout the city and decided to photograph the injustice
that he witnessed.
Midwest and trials that he faced growing up in the early to mid part of
the 20th century as a black man. He is born the youngest of fifteen
children. He was originally born a stillborn but a dip in ice water shocks
his heart to beat. Gordon would go on to become one of the first black
directors in Hollywood; his most famous movie was Shaft in 1971. But
prior to his success as a photographer, writer and director; he was growing
up poor and looking for work. He then bought a camera for $7.50 and this
move changed his life forever. He got a job working for the government in
Washington D.C. and when he got to our nation’s capital, he noticed the
segregation all throughout the city and decided to photograph the injustice
that he witnessed.
Gordon Parks is shown prejudice against his race at a very early age
when his teacher tells the class, “You’ll all wind up porters and waiters.”
The sad part of the story is that the next page says that Gordon did eventually
go to take jobs as a waiter and porter because those were some of the only jobs
offered to African Americans during that time in America. This book offers a very
limited view on Gordon’s early life. The story quickly moves to Gordon as a young
man looking for work.
when his teacher tells the class, “You’ll all wind up porters and waiters.”
The sad part of the story is that the next page says that Gordon did eventually
go to take jobs as a waiter and porter because those were some of the only jobs
offered to African Americans during that time in America. This book offers a very
limited view on Gordon’s early life. The story quickly moves to Gordon as a young
man looking for work.
Gordon Parks’ boss tries to focus his attention to Ella Watson, a cleaning
lady in the government building. Ella is supporting her family on her low
wage and Gordon soon takes a series of photos of Ella and her family. Most
famously, he took the picture entitled American Gothic with Ella holding a
mop and broom. This photograph is a reimagining of Grant Wood’s American
Gothic painting. Gordon’s picture states in his version that this lone woman is
supporting her family with her tools that she has, a broom and a mop.
lady in the government building. Ella is supporting her family on her low
wage and Gordon soon takes a series of photos of Ella and her family. Most
famously, he took the picture entitled American Gothic with Ella holding a
mop and broom. This photograph is a reimagining of Grant Wood’s American
Gothic painting. Gordon’s picture states in his version that this lone woman is
supporting her family with her tools that she has, a broom and a mop.
I am grateful to the author of this book to offer the story of Gordon Parks
to young children. I had seen Gordon Parks’ movies Shaft and Leadbelly when
I was a teenager several years ago but I had never looked into the director of
those films. This book tells children how important the image of injustice is to
showcase and present to the public. This title should be offered in a collection
because it is a different look at an American life that is not typically talked about
to young children.
to young children. I had seen Gordon Parks’ movies Shaft and Leadbelly when
I was a teenager several years ago but I had never looked into the director of
those films. This book tells children how important the image of injustice is to
showcase and present to the public. This title should be offered in a collection
because it is a different look at an American life that is not typically talked about
to young children.
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