Status
Available
Publication
Harry N. Abrams (2021), 48 pages
Library's review
Art and protest meld perfectly in the life of a 20th-century artist.
Born into a family of Jewish artisans in early-20th-century Lithuania, Ben Shahn wanted to draw, but there was no money for paper. Instead, he sketched in the margins of his book of Bible stories. After his father, a labor
This life of an artist with a social conscience makes itself heard. (Yiddish glossary, author's note, illustrator's note, timeline, select bibliography, source notes) (Picture book/biography. 7-10)
-Kirkus Review
Born into a family of Jewish artisans in early-20th-century Lithuania, Ben Shahn wanted to draw, but there was no money for paper. Instead, he sketched in the margins of his book of Bible stories. After his father, a labor
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activist, was exiled to Siberia, the family eventually made their way to Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Shahn was teased in school because of his accent but won the bullies over with his drawings. His teachers encouraged his talent. Having to quit school to work, Shahn was able to apprentice to a lithographer and attend art school. There, his teachers told him that “pictures should be beautiful—not real life.” Shahn thought otherwise. He went on to paint 23 pictures of the Sacco-Vanzetti trial and worked for the FDR administration photographing the American “outsiders” who needed relief and painting murals for a new village for garment workers. Despite threats from the FBI during the McCarthy era, Shahn continued to paint protesters and peace lovers. Levinson’s strong narrative is supported by emotive, brilliantly vibrant paintings in gouache, acrylic, pencil, chalk, and linoleum block prints. One triptych offers powerful images of the Shahns immigrating to NYC; it’s followed by scenes of the neighborhood with its jumble of new streets and foods. Well-researched and -sourced, this is a valuable addition to the canon of artist biographies. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 42.4% of actual size.)This life of an artist with a social conscience makes itself heard. (Yiddish glossary, author's note, illustrator's note, timeline, select bibliography, source notes) (Picture book/biography. 7-10)
-Kirkus Review
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Awards
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (Nonfiction — 2021)
Sydney Taylor Book Award (Notable Book — Picture Book — 2022)
National Jewish Book Award (Finalist — Children's Picture Book — 2021)
Golden Kite Award (Honor — 2022)
Rhode Island Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2023)
Jane Addams Children's Book Award (Finalist — 2022)
Kids' Book Choice Awards (Finalist — 2022)
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal (Winner — 2022)
CCBC Choices (The Arts — 2022)
New York Public Library Best Books: For Kids (Nonfiction — 2021)
Notable Children's Book (2022)
Nerdy Book Award (Nonfiction Picture Books — 2021)
Penn GSE's Best Books for Young Readers (Selection — Picture Books — 2021)
Evanston Public Library 101 Great Books for Kids (Nonfiction Picture Books — 2021)
Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List (Grades K-2 — 2022)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Kids (Informational Books for Younger Readers — 2021)
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
1419741306 / 9781419741302
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