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James S. Haskins

ジェームズ・S・ハスキンス

James S. Haskins

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1941-09-19 （Demopolis, Alabama, U.S.）
Died
2005-07-06 （United States） age 63
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Demopolis, Alabama → Boston, Massachusetts → Washington, D.C. → Albuquerque, New Mexico → New York City → Gainesville, Florida (University affiliation)

Career

Occupations
nonfiction writer, children's author, educator, university professor
Active Years
1960-2005
Affiliations
University of Florida (Professor of English), Staten Island Community College (faculty)

Education

Georgetown University
College (Psychology) / Psychology
Degree: B.A.
Period: 1956–1960
Year of Graduation: 1960
Country: United States
Attended on scholarship
Alabama State University
College (Arts/Sciences) / History
Degree: B.S.
Period: 1959–1962
Year of Graduation: 1962
Country: United States
Participated in civil rights–related activities
University of New Mexico
Graduate school / Social Psychology
Degree: M.A.
Period: 1962–1963
Year of Graduation: 1963
Country: United States

Awards

Coretta Scott King Award (Author Award)
1977
Work: The Story of Stevie Wonder
Category: Author
Organization: American Library Association (Coretta Scott King Roundtable)
Result: 受賞
Coretta Scott King Award (Honor)
1983
Work: Lena Horne
Organization: American Library Association (Coretta Scott King Roundtable)
Result: オナー
Coretta Scott King Award (Honor)
1980
Work: Barbara Jordan
Organization: American Library Association (Coretta Scott King Roundtable)
Result: オナー
Carter G. Woodson Book Award
1988
Work: Black Music in America
Organization: National Council for the Social Studies
Result: 受賞
Alabama Library Association Award (Children's)
1988
Work: Count Your Way series
Organization: Alabama Library Association
Result: 受賞
The Washington Post Children's Book Guide Award
1994
Organization: The Washington Post
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Diary of a Harlem Schoolteacher

1969 Nonfiction

A diary-style account based on his experiences teaching in Harlem, depicting classroom realities and interactions with students.

educationurban childrensocial issues

The Story of Stevie Wonder

1975 Biography (children's)

A children's biography introducing the life and achievements of Stevie Wonder.

musicbiographyrole models

Lena Horne

1983 Biography

A biography summarizing the life and work of singer and actress Lena Horne.

musicfilmcivil rights

Black Music in America

1987 History / Music

A comprehensive nonfiction tracing the history of black music in America through people and events.

music historyAfrican American culture

Count Your Way series

1987 Children's picture/informational series

A counting-song style series introducing regions of the world (Arab world, China, Japan, Russia, etc.) to children.

world culturesintroductory presentationchildren's education

African American Entrepreneurs

1998 Young adult / nonfiction

A young-adult nonfiction book presenting success stories and careers of African American entrepreneurs.

entrepreneurshipAmerican historyrole models

Rosa Parks: My Story

1999 Biography / co-authored

A co-authored autobiographical work with Rosa Parks detailing her life and the civil rights movement.

civil rights movementautobiographysocial change

The Cotton Club

1977 Nonfiction / cultural history

A work depicting people and events surrounding the Cotton Club; cited as an inspiration for the 1984 film The Cotton Club.

jazzProhibition-eraAfrican American culture
Adaptations
  • [Film] The Cotton Club / Francis Ford Coppola (1984)

Bibliography

  • Diary of a Harlem Schoolteacher, 1969
  • The Story of Stevie Wonder, 1975
  • Pele: A Biography, 1976
  • The Cotton Club, 1977
  • Black Music in America, 1987
  • Count Your Way series, 1987
  • African American Entrepreneurs, 1998
  • Rosa Parks: My Story, 1999

Adaptations

  • The Cotton Club (1977) cited as an inspiration for the 1984 film The Cotton Club

Style & Themes

Literary Style
clear, accessible nonfiction styleconcise phrasing suitable for children
Recurring Motifs
African American history and achievementsmusic and its cultural contextpresenting role models through biographical narratives

Health

  • Emphysema (died of complications)
    詳細な罹患期間不明
    Impaired his health in later years; he died in 2005 from complications related to emphysema.

Legacy

James Haskins was a prolific nonfiction author of over 100 books who introduced African American history, culture, and music to young readers. Many of his works received awards and recognition in educational contexts.

Museums

  • James S. Haskins Collection (university archives) University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries (Gainesville, FL)

Academic Societies

  • American Library Association (related awarding body)

Archives

  • James S. Haskins Collection, University of Florida Special and Area Studies Collections

In Popular Culture

  • His book The Cotton Club cited as an inspiration for the 1984 film The Cotton Club

Trivia

  • Prolific author of over 100 books.
  • Wrote many books introducing African American achievements and culture to young readers.
  • Worked briefly as a stock trader on Wall Street before becoming a teacher in Harlem.
  • Co-authored Rosa Parks: My Story with Rosa Parks.