Outspoken: Paul Robeson, Ahead of His Time

Praise

[Robeson’s] strength of character as an “unbending truth teller and troublemaker” comes through clearly in the illustrations as well as the words; in montages of images, many based on contemporary photographs, Velasquez poses him heroically, whether in charismatic performance, speaking out defiantly against racism and social injustice, or, finally, broken down by poor health.
—Booklist (starred review)

In comprehensive first-person free verse and oil portraiture, Boston Weatherford and Velasquez reverently draw the life of multifaceted performer, athlete, and activist Paul Robeson.
—Publishers Weekly

Informative, insightful, and comprehensive, this book will be a valuable addition to reference shelves, classrooms, and anywhere older elementary children are drawn to learning more about legendary American changemakers. This inspiring volume leaves nothing out.
—Kirkus Reviews

Weatherford takes big risks with this book and the payoff, I hope, will be immense. . . For all that this title required a lot of Weatherford, this may be the best work I’ve seen from Velasquez as well. . . When Robeson asks at the end, ‘What will history write of me?’ this book is the answer. A title for adults could do no better. . . This book gets it right. When kids pick up this book, they’ll meet all the facets of the man on the page and be able to make up their own minds about him. What they won’t do after reading this book is forget him. If you are looking for a complex biography written for kids, step this way. Consider Outspoken Paul Robeson, Ahead of his Time: A One-Man Show. You’ll get no better education than by reading this book.
—A Fuse #8 Production