|
| |
Continuing the Family Legacy
Lorenz Graham's grandson, Jonathan Graham, was recently featured
in an article in the
 Wausau
(WI) Daily Herald. Jonathan has written
children's programs based
on his grandfather's book, Song of the Boat.
When he performs at
school concerts in the Wausau area, Jonathan
continues his
grandfather's storytelling legacy. He also draws on the
musical heritage of his
own father, Lorenz Graham Jr., when he sings
and plays the guitar
using the stage name of Lightborne at clubs in
northern Wisconsin.
You can read Keith Uhlig's
article here.
The
Sacramento Bee Interviews
Joyce Johnson
Lorenz Graham's daughter, Joyce Johnson, was interviewed by the
Sacramento Bee.
Joyce talked about the re-issue of the Town Series and Graham's
illustrious literary legacy.
The article appeared in the Bee's Scene Section on March 31,
2005. Read it here.
|
In
Memoriam - Lorenz B. Graham, Jr.
Lorenz Graham, Jr., the eldest child of Lorenz
and Ruth Morris Graham, died on
January 15, 2006
in Seattle, WA. Both of his parents predeceased him. Lorenz
was an accomplished
musician,
folk singer, and songwriter who performed in numerous venues
from Greenwich Village
to Carnegie Hall as well as many countries around the world. He
also appeared on a
variety of television shows, including
Sesame Street and the
Tonight Show. Lorenz’s album,
900 Miles from Home, was recorded and produced in
the 1950’s. He composed the song
Hannah, which later became a hit by
Peter, Paul, and Mary,
renamed Bamboo.
Lorenz loved working with children throughout his career as a
musician and he made an impact
on adults and children alike teaching Black history through his
music. His dedication to his family
and extended family was one of the guiding principals of
Lorenz’s life.
He is deeply missed by his loving family and cherished friends.
For more information, please read excerpts from
Lorenz’s memorial service here. |
The
New
Advocate Salutes Dr. Graham
The Spring 2002 issue of The New Advocate published
an article entitled “A Centennial Salute
to Arna Bontemps,
Langston Hughes, and Lorenz Graham.” The article takes a commemorative look
at three African American writers, all born in 1902, who played a
significant historical and artistic role in the world of children's
literature.
Dr.
Rudine Sims Bishop and Jonda McNair, authors of the article,
cite Bontemps, Hughes, and Graham for creating literature that nurtured
the souls of Black children. Until they came along, good literature
featuring African American children was not available in libraries,
schools, or bookstores.
Regarding Dr. Graham's legacy, they
write:
Graham's
novels, the first of which was published four years after the
Supreme Court
outlawed school segregation and three years after
Rosa Parks' arrest, confronted and
challenged the racism that
Black families faced in trying to live out the American
Dream. His realistic portrayal of an upwardly mobile Black family and
their struggles
was informed, if not driven, by his belief in
the eventual triumph of socia l
justice.
To request reprints of the journal
article, contact Ruth Siegrist at grahambooks@aol.com.
Click here to read reviews of How
God Fix Jonah and Every
Man Heart Lay Down.
|
Graham's
"Town" Series Praised for Everyday Courage
|
The Winter 2004 issue of Connections,
a publication of book news for teachers and librarians, focuses on courage in extraordinary and ordinary times. In the
"Town" series, David Williams and his family struggle
courageously to overcome injustice and hardships. Graham's novels
were the first to depict African-American families realistically:
| |
In
Lorenz Graham's four "Town" novels...the battle a young
protagonist faces is the battle to be treated the same way as
others...These are powerful, beautifully written novels that will
make young readers contemplate what it would be like to need courage
just about every day. |
|
- Connections. Boyds Mills Press. Vol. 6, No. 1, p. 2. |
|
|
David Graham Du Bois
Lorenz Graham’s nephew, David Graham Du Bois, died on
Friday,
Jan. 28, 2005
in Amherst, MA. David was a journalist, author,
consultant, and university lecturer who proudly
championed the literary and social justice values of the
Graham Family.
David worked tirelessly to promote the legacy of his
mother, Shirley Graham Du Bois,
and
his stepfather, Dr. W. E. B. Du Bois, and to advance
their combined efforts
to
help bring about peace and justice to peoples of the
world.
Memorial Services for David Du Bois were held on
Sunday,
February 27, 2005,
at
the Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center,
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. For more
information, please read David’s
obituary
here.
Graham's
Papers
Reposited at University of Minnesota
|
|
|
Dr. Lorenz
Graham's original manuscripts and papers were donated
to the Kerlan Collection, Research Center for
Children's Books, University of Minnesota,
Minneapolis. The Kerlan Collection
for research in children's books was established in 1949
to ensure that future generations would have access to a
significant portion of children's literature.
Graham's
correspondence from 1925 to 1987 is included in the
collection..
For
information about the Graham collection, please go to:
|
|
|
World-Renowned Artist Promotes How God Fix Jonah
Read how
Ashley Bryan, award-winning illustrator and author
(illustrator of How God Fix Jonah) was honored at a Graham
family luncheon in Sacramento. (Once you have entered the
NPAPhoto web site, click Ashley Bryan's photo,
located in lower left-hand corner of home page, to access article.)
Media Coverage of Lorenz Graham's Books
 |
Still
Worthy After All These Years
Huntington Beach Independent, December
13, 2001 |
|
A
Centennial Salute to Arna Bontemps, Langston Hughes, and
Lorenz Graham
The New Advocate Journal, Spring
2002 |
|
|
|
