Nelson Mandela (the First Names Series)

Meet the South African activist and president who fought for what was right in Nelson Mandela, a biography in the First Names series from author Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl and illustrator Nicole Miles.

Before he was the first Black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) was a boy with a traditional Thembu upbringing. He went on to study law and become involved with African nationalist politics. The government had established an apartheid (a system of segregation that privileged white people), and Mandela worked to overthrow this system. He was arrested, accused of treason, and thrown in jail. When he was released, Mandela negotiated an end to the apartheid and was elected president. Though he was a controversial figure at the time, he is now seen as an iconic advocate for democracy and social justice.

Inspiring and informational, Nelson Mandela tells the story of one of the greatest politicians and revolutionaries. It includes a timeline, a glossary, and an index.

First Names is a highly illustrated nonfiction series that puts readers on a first-name basis with some of the most incredible people in history and of today!

The First Names series:
Harry Houdini
Amelia Earhart
Ada Lovelace
Malala Yousafzai
Ferdinand Magellan
Beyoncé
Nelson Mandela
Greta Thunberg

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Published: 09/28/2021
Pages: 160
Weight: 0.5lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.50w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9781419756085
Age: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2021
School Library Journal 12/01/2021 pg. 117

About the Author
Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl was born to Ugandan parents in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After receiving a master's degree in diplomacy, she began working in international development in East and Southern Africa. She currently works as a technical writer and editor for international organizations, as well as a children's book author. She lives in Tanzania with her husband and daughter. Nicole Miles is an illustrator and artist from the Bahamas who currently lives in West Yorkshire, England, with her pet snake and human boyfriend. She's worked with a variety of clients, including the New York Times, BuzzFeed, and Hallmark UK. Her comic Barbara was nominated for an Eisner Award.