The Value of Responsibility: The Story of Ralph Bunche

ValueTales Series

by Ann Donegan Johnson

Presents a biography, stressing the value of responsibility, of the Afro-American who was instrumental in the establishment of the United Nations.

Genres: Biography, Childrens, History, Nonfiction, Picture Books

63 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1978

Reviews

[Pamela Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This narrative tells about a young boy named Ralph Bunche who grew up in an old run down house with many of his family members including his beloved grandmother who inspires him to stay in school. He works very hard at a young age as a newspaper boy, shoe shiner, movie assistant, along with many other occupations to help his family and begins to show the attributes of responsibility even at an early age. Remaining responsible throughout his young years, leads him into being a college student at UCLA and Harvard, a teacher at Howard, being the first African American to receive a doctorate in Political Science, an Advisor to the government, and creating a peace agreement that ended a long war in Palestine. Johnson was able to capture the unfairness in how blacks were treated along with addressing some of misfortunes of blacks was done appropriately with child friendly dialogue. As a teacher, I will use this text to teach my students the attributes of responsibility, and how even the smallest gestures that they do to help themselves and others will prepare them for greatness.

[Alex Valencic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this entire season as a child and decided to read this one again after someone asked me who Ralph Bunche was. I appreciate the effort to teach valuable character traits through biography.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Value of Responsibility: The Story of Ralph Bunche: Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of an Afro-American boy named Ralph Bunche. Ralph was poor. He grew up in an old house with many of his family members including his beloved grandmother. His grandmother inspires him to stay in school. He works hard at a young age as a newspaper boy, as shoe shiner, as a movie assistant and other occupations which are available. Thus he is able to help his family survive. This trait of Ralph shows that he is able to take responsibility. In the following years, Ralph joins a college student at UCLA, California and Harvard. Ralph is appointed as a teacher at Howard. He is the first African American to receive a doctorate in Political Science. Further, Ralph is appointed as an Advisor to the government of USA. Ralph creates a Peace Agreement which ended the war in Palestine. Johnson was able to capture the unfairness in how blacks were treated along with addressing some of misfortunes of blacks was done appropriately with child friendly dialogue. Illustrations help the reader to relate to the story.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how Ralph Bunche showed great responsibility in demanding the best from himself and from others. I love his peacemaking. We definitely need more peacemakers in this world! And more people who can demand the best from themselves and from others.