Author Tracey Baptiste takes readers on a journey across Africa to meet some of the great leaders and thinkers whose vision built a continent and shaped the world.

Black history begins thousands of years ago with the many cultures and people of the African continent. Through portraits of ten heroic figures — from Menes, the first ruler to be called Pharaoh, to Queen Idia, a sixteenth-century power broker, visionary, and diplomat — this rich and thrilling nonfiction text goes back many millennia to introduce readers to the underrepresented stories of Black history and Black excellence.

Illustrator Hillary D. Wilson’s brilliant portraits accompany each profile, along with vivid, information-filled landscapes, maps, and graphics for readers to pore over and return to again and again.

Key Text Features

map

maps

author's note

chapters

facts

further information

further reading

headsings

historical context

historical note

foreword

illustrations

illustrator's notes

introduction

labels

photographs

references

resources

table of contents

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3
Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.3
Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6
Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.

TRACEY BAPTISTE lived in Trinidad until she was fifteen. A former elementary school teacher, she is a New York Times bestselling author of Minecraft: The Crash, The Jumbies, Rise of the Jumbies and The Jumbie God's Revenge, among other books.

Tracey Baptiste's profile page

HILLARY D. WILSON was raised by an endlessly supportive, adventure-loving family and has a deep appreciation for effective storytelling, humanity and exploring the natural world. She received a master's degree in medical illustration from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and spends her professional time striking a balance between medical and general illustration. She lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

Hillary D. Wilson's profile page

Riveting … This robust, historically accurate timeline of the ‘great [African] continent and its people’ will serve as an invaluable resource for years to come. STARRED REVIEW

Publishers Weekly

Baptiste sheds light on the rich and complex pre-enslavement history of the African continent … A spellbinding collection … An impeccably researched revelation that fills a too wide gap in collections; it's unfair how long it's taken for these histories to be made public to young readers. STARRED REVIEW

School Library Journal

African Icons will inspire curious readers to explore the history of Black Africa and Africans more fully.

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

[Baptiste] lifts the veil intentionally cast over African history, granting readers a veritable feast of information and inspiration … The result is empowering, necessary, and required reading for all. Game changing. STARRED REVIEW

Kirkus