The Princess of the Press: The Story of Ida B. Wells-Barnett

by Angela Shelf Medearis

A biography of the journalist, newspaper owner, and suffragette who campaigned for civil rights and founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

64 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[Katey · Rating 4 out of 5]

CIP/Summary: A biography of the journalist, newspaper owner, and suffragette who campaigned for civil rights and founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

This brief biography of Ida B. Wells-Barnett clearly communicates the subject's strong personality and trailblazing courage. Intended for grades 3rd-5th, Princess of the Press uses diary and newspaper column excerpts to tell the story of Ida B. Wells' life and career speaking out against lynchings in the South, Jim Crowe Laws and fighting for the vote for women. This is an excellent book to read and discuss with your child.

Positively reviewed in SLJ.

[Katie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angela Shelf Medaris does a great job of showing the courage Ida B. Wells-Barnett had. When Ida B. refused to sit in the smoking section, her life changed. The book is created using some parts of Ida's diary and newspaper columns which gives the reader more detail on the things Ida stood up for; lynching, votes for women, and Jim Crow Laws. This book would be used to discuss Ida B. and racism for forth and fifth graders.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess of the Press is a wonderful mini-biography on Ida B. Wells, a late 1800-early 1900s activist who championed for civil and woman’s rights. For being such small chapter book, less than fifty pages, author Angela Shelf Medearis presented a clear overall picture of this determined woman and her life’s work. A perfect addition to any elementary/middle school classroom or library for students learning about history and its important crusaders.