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Who Was . . . ? Series
Who Was Nelson Mandela?
As a child he dreamt of changing South Africa; as a man he changed the world. Nelson Mandela spent his life battling apartheid and championing a peaceful revolution. He spent twenty-seven years in prison and emerged as the inspiring leader of the new South Africa. He became the country’s first black president and went on to live his dream of change. This is an important and exciting addition to the Who Was...? series.
112 pages, Paperback
First published December 14, 2013
125 people are currently reading
675 people want to read
About the author
Pam Pollack
71 books37 followersPamela Pollack is a writer/editor/compiler of children's and young adult books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
March 18, 2017
I love the "Who Was" books. I am trying to read all the books that my library carries :)
This was a great, short, easy read about Nelson Mandela!
Nelson Mandela spent his life battling apartheid. He went to one of the only all black schools that taught reading, math, etc. Black people were forbade to be able to vote, travel without permission and own land. There was an apartheid policy of racial segregation in the country.
In 1943 Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC). This helped Mandela spread the word of the injustice to the people. However, there was a Sharpeville Massacre. The police killed 69 peaceful protestors and the ANC was banned. This causes Mandela to go into hiding. On August 5, Mandela was arrested after living on the run for seventeen months and was imprisoned in the Johannesburg Fort. On October 25th, Mandela was sentenced and sentenced to five years in prison but again goes on the run. When he was captured he was convicted of sabotage and treason and sentenced to life imprisonment at the age of 46, initially on Robben island where he would be kept for 18 years.
On February 11th, Mandela was released from prison after 27 years. The ban on African National Congress (ANC) was lifted. Mandela become their president. They started talking about forming a multi-racial democracy for South Africa.
Black South Africans were finally allowed to vote for the first time and Nelson Mandela won the Presidency. He was the first Black South African to ever be president of South Africa. The ANC ended up winning 252 of the 400 seats in the national assembly also.
I know these books look like they are children's books but they are also great for adults! They are fast, short reads that carry a ton of information in them.
This was a great, short, easy read about Nelson Mandela!
Nelson Mandela spent his life battling apartheid. He went to one of the only all black schools that taught reading, math, etc. Black people were forbade to be able to vote, travel without permission and own land. There was an apartheid policy of racial segregation in the country.
In 1943 Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC). This helped Mandela spread the word of the injustice to the people. However, there was a Sharpeville Massacre. The police killed 69 peaceful protestors and the ANC was banned. This causes Mandela to go into hiding. On August 5, Mandela was arrested after living on the run for seventeen months and was imprisoned in the Johannesburg Fort. On October 25th, Mandela was sentenced and sentenced to five years in prison but again goes on the run. When he was captured he was convicted of sabotage and treason and sentenced to life imprisonment at the age of 46, initially on Robben island where he would be kept for 18 years.
On February 11th, Mandela was released from prison after 27 years. The ban on African National Congress (ANC) was lifted. Mandela become their president. They started talking about forming a multi-racial democracy for South Africa.
Black South Africans were finally allowed to vote for the first time and Nelson Mandela won the Presidency. He was the first Black South African to ever be president of South Africa. The ANC ended up winning 252 of the 400 seats in the national assembly also.
I know these books look like they are children's books but they are also great for adults! They are fast, short reads that carry a ton of information in them.
July 9, 2024
Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings the courageous man – Nelson Mandela – whose African name meant “tree shaker” and that’s what he did when he fought for equal justice for all.
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918. His real name was Rolihlahla. At the time, South Africa was ruled by the British, who took all the rights of African people. Nelson attended school run by Christian missionaries from Europe. It was the teacher at school that gave him a Western name – Nelson Mandela.
At school, he learned English, history and geography, but he learned the most at tribal elders’ meetings. He dreamed of becoming a leader like his foster father.
His education continued at Fort Hare College where he got new ideas how to govern his country. In Johannesburg, with his law degree, he became active in different organizations, but in 1948 a new system was incorporated – apartheid.
Nelson led many protests and became known as a protest leader. He led many campaigns. They were all peaceful demonstrations. They never reacted with anger.
After five months in prison, he realized that their peaceful protests were met with aggression and innocent people died. He changed his tactics. Armed resistance was formed. But someone betrayed him and he was sentenced to life in prison.
The hard labor and deplorable conditions of the prison never broke his spirit. He continued to study law and history when he was allowed access to books, and encouraged other prisoners to study and learn.
The US and other countries took notice of the unjust system put by white South Africans. They put pressure on South African government to release Mandela from prison. Because businesses left South Africa, it made hard for them to survive.
The new president of South Africa released the prisoners, including Mandela. On February 11, 1990 Mandela stepped out of prison. He was seventy-one. He spent twenty-seven years in prison. Many hoped that he wouldn’t have strength to continue with his work, but he did.
On May 10, 1991, Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa.
This biography shines light on an inspiring man who stood by what he strongly believed in even if that meant risking his life.
This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-11, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918. His real name was Rolihlahla. At the time, South Africa was ruled by the British, who took all the rights of African people. Nelson attended school run by Christian missionaries from Europe. It was the teacher at school that gave him a Western name – Nelson Mandela.
At school, he learned English, history and geography, but he learned the most at tribal elders’ meetings. He dreamed of becoming a leader like his foster father.
His education continued at Fort Hare College where he got new ideas how to govern his country. In Johannesburg, with his law degree, he became active in different organizations, but in 1948 a new system was incorporated – apartheid.
Nelson led many protests and became known as a protest leader. He led many campaigns. They were all peaceful demonstrations. They never reacted with anger.
After five months in prison, he realized that their peaceful protests were met with aggression and innocent people died. He changed his tactics. Armed resistance was formed. But someone betrayed him and he was sentenced to life in prison.
The hard labor and deplorable conditions of the prison never broke his spirit. He continued to study law and history when he was allowed access to books, and encouraged other prisoners to study and learn.
The US and other countries took notice of the unjust system put by white South Africans. They put pressure on South African government to release Mandela from prison. Because businesses left South Africa, it made hard for them to survive.
The new president of South Africa released the prisoners, including Mandela. On February 11, 1990 Mandela stepped out of prison. He was seventy-one. He spent twenty-seven years in prison. Many hoped that he wouldn’t have strength to continue with his work, but he did.
On May 10, 1991, Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa.
This biography shines light on an inspiring man who stood by what he strongly believed in even if that meant risking his life.
This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-11, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.
January 11, 2017
Who Was Nelson Mandela? by Meg Belviso, Pamela D. Pollack, Stephen Marchesi (Illustrator) is packed with lots of personal information that I never knew about Mr Mandela, esp. his younger years. Very interesting book about his life and the book is long too, over 100 pages with great sketches scattered throughout. I was amazed at how little I did know about a man so famous. This is a middle grade/teen book but adults will love this book too. I got this from the library but if I had the money, all these books would be keepers!
March 5, 2017
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
― Nelson Mandela
― Nelson Mandela
December 1, 2022
This biography was fantastic. It showed how Nelson Mandela strived to show his opposition to the apartheid regime of the South African government and how he struggled and suffered by being given many years of imprisonment to finally becoming president of South Africa.
March 30, 2020
Mesmerizing, simple, and must-read book😍.
May 5, 2016
I think that the book is good. I am very proud of Nelson Mandela for standing up for blacks and whites being equal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2018
I can't believe how idiotic and small-minded people can be. I am reminded of it when I read about great people like Mandela and all the things he and many others had to suffer.
September 29, 2016
Nelson Mandela was a South African politician and activist who had dreams of changing his country when he was little but ended up changing the world throughout his lifetime. Mandela's father died when he was young and the king of his native Thembuland took him in as his foster son. Through tribal meetings, Mandela learned the importance of listening to others and witnessed firsthand the oppression of black South Africans as they lost any voice they had in the South African government. As he observed this injustice and oppression, he dreamed of a South Africa where everyone was treated equally and no one was oppressed and hoped to make that dream come true someday. As he grew up, he participated in and got involved with more and more movements in order to achieve equality in his country; he even went to boarding school in hopes of someday working in the government. Mandela went on to become a key political figure and philanthropist, spending 27 years in prison for publicly being against the government's actions. Upon his release, Mandela continued his revolutionary work and was a key figure in the anti-apartheid movement. He went on to become South Africa's first black president and even after he left office continued to be involved in worldwide activism and remained a key figure in the world until his death in 2013.
Given the fact that Nelson Mandela only passed away a few years ago, I felt very emotional when reading this book. Nelson Mandela is a figure that I think everyone should be not only aware of but should also have a moderate understanding of his life and his life's work as well. Upon completion of this book in a classroom setting, I think a class discussion of everything Mandela achieved in his life and why exactly it is important would be beneficial. This book would be a great way to start that kind of discussion and encourage critical thinking, as well as encourage students to start thinking about ways that they may be able to change the world in their own way after seeing how Nelson Mandela started with so little and achieved so much. This book had several long words in it and some more advanced concepts to think about in it so I think it would be best suited for a read aloud for 2nd or 3rd grade or independent reading for 4th or 5th grade.
Given the fact that Nelson Mandela only passed away a few years ago, I felt very emotional when reading this book. Nelson Mandela is a figure that I think everyone should be not only aware of but should also have a moderate understanding of his life and his life's work as well. Upon completion of this book in a classroom setting, I think a class discussion of everything Mandela achieved in his life and why exactly it is important would be beneficial. This book would be a great way to start that kind of discussion and encourage critical thinking, as well as encourage students to start thinking about ways that they may be able to change the world in their own way after seeing how Nelson Mandela started with so little and achieved so much. This book had several long words in it and some more advanced concepts to think about in it so I think it would be best suited for a read aloud for 2nd or 3rd grade or independent reading for 4th or 5th grade.
January 16, 2014
Nelson Mandela was a really important person who wanted to change South Africa but ended up changing the world. Just like Martin Luther King Jr he went to jail for 18 years on Robben Island. When Nelson was yong his father was leader of a tribe. When Nelson was a grown man he started to convince people to fight for their rights. Nelson started making marches with other africans and stand up to the whites and the blacks fought for their rights. Nelson's wife didn't think he should do this but he did. Then whites came and useed violence against Nelson. So Nelson and his friends supported him but the whites didn't give up so they killed 69 african mothers and children. When Nelson was locked in jail for 18 years he was miserable. When relised from prison everyone cheered for him and he was elected first african president of South Africa. He died December 5 2013. he still lives on for his belifes and is now a hero.
February 20, 2015
The Who Was…? biography series are perfect for elementary or intermediate age students interested learning about the featured person for an assignment or just for an exciting read. The afterward portion in this edition has a timeline on one side showing key events in Nelson Mandela's life and the opposite page shows worldwide key events during the same time period. Making for an interesting comparison and will help readers get a better feel for what else was happening at those times; a cool extra feature I haven't seen in many books.
May 26, 2015
This book was okay. I don't really like reading nonfiction books. So I guess the book is as good as it can be for a nonfiction book. I was surprised though that Nelson Mandela wasn't always his real name. His name was Rolihlahla, which meant tree shaker and also troublemaker. He had to move and go to a new school. His teacher gave him a western name. His wester name was Nelson Mandela, which is the name he is known for today. I was also surprised that Mandela had only died a couple of years ago. He died December 5, 2013.
January 13, 2016
Nelson Mandela is a person who had a dream to change South Africa to better his country. His dream was to finish segregation and to bring freedom to his country. I love the book because Nelson Mandela brings his dream to real life and changes from a normal man to be the symbol of freedom in the world. Also, he went from a normal man to the first democratic president in South Africa and changed his country to be better. I really enjoy to read about successful people in politics. I require the book for people that want to be leaders in community or want be a politician.
April 27, 2014
Easy biography for children to understand. It kept me entertained and has nice facts through out the book that gave it a better overall perspective with what was going on in the world. There are black and white illustrations. It would have been nice if there were photos or color pictures. I would definitely recommend this bio series to children.
February 13, 2014
Very easy read for children but packed with lots of information. The book is also filled with back story information with insets on dutch settlement, other players in apartheid, and mention of Alfred Nobel. recommended read for all seeking good insight into the man from birth to death.
August 10, 2016
Bought this for my kids and felt that I learned a lot too by reading it. This series is very well done, we have many of their books - engaging, and always including text boxes that give background on the country or the time.
June 12, 2014
I found these books at B&N whilst doing our wkly book puchasing and so I got this and a few others for my 7yr. He enjoyed it and learned a great deal. I read it today and will be purchasing more about other important individuals in history.
August 1, 2014
I Liked it
August 10, 2014
I liked it. He was put in jail for 27 years.
August 20, 2014
it was good
September 18, 2014
it was really inspiring
January 31, 2015
So good!
March 3, 2015
I thought it was interesting.
Read
March 22, 2015A good book.
July 14, 2015
This book delves into Nelson Mandela's earlier life. It's very informative. It's like he was Martin Luther King Jr. All over again
September 23, 2020
Excellent book for the young audience. Well done sketches adorn almost every page. I would have liked to have seen photos, but I could easily tell who all the key people were. This is even a good book for adults to start with, since the serious biographies on Nelson Mandela tend to be huge. So this 105 page summary of his life was a nice brisk preview. For kids, this book is ideal.
My favorite Mandela book is: Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation which is the story that inspired Invictus. The first half of this book covers Mandela and apartheid very well, and the second half focuses on the Rugby World Cup, in South Africa, where South Africa prevailed.
My favorite Mandela book is: Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation which is the story that inspired Invictus. The first half of this book covers Mandela and apartheid very well, and the second half focuses on the Rugby World Cup, in South Africa, where South Africa prevailed.
February 11, 2020
Who Was Nelson Mandela? by Meg Belviso is from the "Who Was..." series of books and covers the life of Nelson Mandela from his childhood throughout his life. The author presents his early dreams about changing South Africa by eliminating apartheid through peaceful revolution. He was imprisoned for 27 years but never lost hope that he would someday prevail and he eventually became South Africa's first black president. He oversaw major changes in South African society during his lifetime and is respected and looked up to by people from all over the world. The author provides us with a relatively brief but comprehensive overview of the life of Nelson Mandela.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2024
This was so well done! Unlike others in this “Who Was” series, I cannot fact check because I am shamefully ignorant about Nelson Mandela. So I learned a lot in this book!
What does come through loud and clear was how loved and respected Mandela was. While I am aware Mandela was somewhat controversial, that information was from news accounts during his life, not from this book.
Definitely recommended!
What does come through loud and clear was how loved and respected Mandela was. While I am aware Mandela was somewhat controversial, that information was from news accounts during his life, not from this book.
Definitely recommended!
August 28, 2025
a lot of things I learned and remembered in this book, I've had this book for the longest time, yet there were so many things I didn't know about in this book. a line that got to me was
"He had a natrual authority. But as he spent more and more time fighting for his clients, he saw less and less of his family. When he came to the hospital to see his newborn son, Makgatho, his five-year-old son, Thembi, asked, "Where does Daddy live?" pg 30
"He had a natrual authority. But as he spent more and more time fighting for his clients, he saw less and less of his family. When he came to the hospital to see his newborn son, Makgatho, his five-year-old son, Thembi, asked, "Where does Daddy live?" pg 30
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May 25, 2019This was a good introduction to Nelson Mandela, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as other books in this series. It seemed to oversimplify some things, even for the target audience, and the last chapter particularly felt rushed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews