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Russell Freedman: Immigrant Kids
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From: Kathleen Horning <bogus_at_does.not.exist.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 17:33:11 -0600
Judy, thanks for your insightful comments about the character of Freedman's books from "Immigrant Kids" on. I, too, remember being struck by this book when it first came out. At the time, it looked so different from other books being published for children.
I looked up Russell Freedman's Newbery acceptance speech (for "Lincoln: A Photobiography") in the July/August 1988 Horn Book magazine and noted that, in the accompanying biographical essay by Frank J. Dempsey, he writes about "Immigrant Kids," saying that it was inspired by a photography exhibit at the New York Historical Society called "Street Kids: 186477." Freedman was quoted as saying, "I was deeply moved and impressed by this show and by the poignant expressions on the faces of these children, most of whom had never had their picture taken before."
K.T. Horning, CCBC
Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education University of Wisconsin-Madison Room 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 N. Park St Madison, WI 53706 Telephone: 608&3720 FAX: 608&2I33 ccbcinfo at mail.soemadison.wisc.edu www.soemadison.wisc.edu/ccbc/
I too am delighted that he has been recognized in this way. In lots of ways I feel that from the early 80's he set a new standard for humane and involving information books for young people. The first I noticed was Immigrant Kids (1980) published by Dutton. In a brilliant selection of contemporary photos extended with an interesting, sympathetic text he documented their life at home, at schools and at play usually on the streets.
I've used this endlessly at presentations for Social Studies teachers as an example of a great child centred book on a universal topic. And it is still just as effective today!
**********************************************************************
Judy Brooker
Reference Librarian (Curriculum information advice/support)
Wellington Service Centre
School Services
National Library of New Zealand
Received on Mon 30 Mar 1998 05:33:11 PM CST
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 17:33:11 -0600
Judy, thanks for your insightful comments about the character of Freedman's books from "Immigrant Kids" on. I, too, remember being struck by this book when it first came out. At the time, it looked so different from other books being published for children.
I looked up Russell Freedman's Newbery acceptance speech (for "Lincoln: A Photobiography") in the July/August 1988 Horn Book magazine and noted that, in the accompanying biographical essay by Frank J. Dempsey, he writes about "Immigrant Kids," saying that it was inspired by a photography exhibit at the New York Historical Society called "Street Kids: 186477." Freedman was quoted as saying, "I was deeply moved and impressed by this show and by the poignant expressions on the faces of these children, most of whom had never had their picture taken before."
K.T. Horning, CCBC
Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education University of Wisconsin-Madison Room 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 N. Park St Madison, WI 53706 Telephone: 608&3720 FAX: 608&2I33 ccbcinfo at mail.soemadison.wisc.edu www.soemadison.wisc.edu/ccbc/
I too am delighted that he has been recognized in this way. In lots of ways I feel that from the early 80's he set a new standard for humane and involving information books for young people. The first I noticed was Immigrant Kids (1980) published by Dutton. In a brilliant selection of contemporary photos extended with an interesting, sympathetic text he documented their life at home, at schools and at play usually on the streets.
I've used this endlessly at presentations for Social Studies teachers as an example of a great child centred book on a universal topic. And it is still just as effective today!
**********************************************************************
Judy Brooker
Reference Librarian (Curriculum information advice/support)
Wellington Service Centre
School Services
National Library of New Zealand
Received on Mon 30 Mar 1998 05:33:11 PM CST
