Andre Girlie’s Review
We are on chapter 10 in the book and then we will start the ancillaries you left for us. The kids seem to really like the book. My feedback to you is that it is well written and ingenious the way the characters are woven into the life of Jaxon. And, it is also easy to read and understand. It gives meaning to the historical characters and provides a scaffold for the students to remember who invented what because all the have to do is remember what Jaxon was doing at the time; opposed to a list of characters listing what they invented. We just finished reading about Mr. Burr inventing the lawnmower. The students have already asked when will they get to use the other books. The students are looking forward to writing you with their responses. Thank you again for sharing your literary works with us.
Andre Girley, 3rd Grade Teacher, Hoover Elementary School
Carol Santiago’s Review
“What if there were no Black people in the world?” is a very provocative question posed by Tamara Shiloh in her newest book for children and young learners. The answer to the question propels Jaxon and readers on an imaginative and magical journey—a re-discovery, a re-introduction, and a re-connection, if you will, to valuable information and learning that is, too often, left out of too many schools across the United States. And that is unacceptable. Thank you, Tamara Shiloh, for bringing this greatly needed body of history lessons and learning materials to your readers and to our nation. The appeal is universal and offers a necessary re-visiting of the major contributions of African American scientists and inventors. Tamara Shiloh’s timing perfectly aligns with the current 21st century educational system’s focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) across the nation’s schools. STEM related career fields are open and prime for people of color. Despite the odds, whether organic or systemic, today’s youth must be encouraged and guided to explore and participate in the world of science and technology. STEM careers will provide living wages vs minimum wages for future generations. Tamara Shiloh is shining a bright light on those missing historical items for the world to see and remember. Brilliant!
Carol Santiago, Education Department Director, Las Vegas Urban League, Community Action Agency (CAA), Educator
Michael Habermas Review
I love what Tamara Shiloh has done here! Reading into this often neglected area of American history was truly fascinating, and having it presented in a compelling narrative was a great decision that offers an accessibility to a large variety of age groups. It’s defiantly the kind of book that I would love to use in my classes as a jumping point to the broader issues of Science and Literature. I personally learned a lot from this story, and am so excited to see where Mrs. Shiloh takes this series next!
Michael Habermas, Teacher, Educator, Philosopher, MA kids
Girl’s Inc, Cristal Banagan, Assistant Director’s Review
