Ellington Was Not A Street by Ntozake Shange and Kadir Nelson

Shange, N. - author, & Nelson, K. - illustrator (2004). Ellington Was Not A Street. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN-10: 0689828845.

Annotation

Illustrated picture book of the poem “Mood Indigo” by Ntozake Shange.

My thoughts

The book is about historical greats in the black community, told through a child’s (Duke Ellington’s daughter) eyes with “Mood Indigo” providing text. Mood Indigo is a historical poem by Ntozake Shange and was inspired by many different activists and musicians of the Harlem Renaissance. The poet notes these individuals and the back of the book provides biographical information. Paul Robeson, William Edward Burghardt DuBois, Ray Barretto, Earlington Carl “Sonny Til” Tilhgman, Dizzy Dillespie, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Virgil “Honey Bear” Akins, the Clovers, and of course Duke Ellington make appearances at her house and are all included in the book.

What really stands out for me are the beautiful oil illustrations. These are incredible double page paintings that really capture the time. One of the most interesting pictures was the "family photo" at the end. I found this to be a very powerful statement because it shows that it really takes several different types of people to make change and take a stand against society. Each personality comes through Kadir Nelson’s rendering of person’s expression. Very impressive.

Favorite Quotes:

“I listened in the company of men

politics as necessary as collards

music even in our dreams.”

“our doors opened lie our daddy’s arms

held us safe & loved”

Curricular connections

History- African American history- the Harlem Renaissance- 20^th cent Black history- grade 3-8- These men are some of the greatest black heroes of the early twentieth century to past day America. The book includes a helpful biographical section in the back with pictures of the featured men. The book can be used to introduce some of these men. It can also be used in an English class to introduce different poets and forms of poetry.

Lesson Plan

See 'Lesson Plan' page

Reading level/ Interest Age

Grade 3-8

Reviews and Awards

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner

Author website: No found website.

Ilustrator website: www.kadirnelson.com/

Media: Oil paints

Genre: juvenile picture book, historical, poetry