{"product_id":"infinite-hope-a-black-artists-journey-from-world-war-ii-to-peace-9781534404908","title":"Infinite Hope: A Black Artist's Journey from World War II to Peace","description":"\u003cb\u003eRecipient of a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eRecipient of a Bologna Ragazzi Non-Fiction Special Mention Honor Award\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eA \u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e Best Middle Grade Book of 2019\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom celebrated author and illustrator Ashley Bryan comes a deeply moving picture book memoir about serving in the segregated army during World War II, and how love and the pursuit of art sustained him.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn May of 1942, at the age of eighteen, Ashley Bryan was drafted to fight in World War II. For the next three years, he would face the horrors of war as a black soldier in a segregated army. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHe endured the terrible lies white officers told about the black soldiers to isolate them from anyone who showed kindness--including each other. He received worse treatment than even Nazi POWs. He was assigned the grimmest, most horrific tasks, like burying fallen soldiers...but was told to remove the black soldiers first because the media didn't want them in their newsreels. And he waited and wanted so desperately to go home, watching every white soldier get safe passage back to the United States before black soldiers were even a thought. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFor the next forty years, Ashley would keep his time in the war a secret. But now, he tells his story. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe story of the kind people who supported him.\u003cbr\u003e The story of the bright moments that guided him through the dark.\u003cbr\u003e And the story of his passion for art that would save him time and time again. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFilled with never-before-seen artwork and handwritten letters and diary entries, this illuminating and moving memoir by Newbery Honor-winning illustrator Ashley Bryan is both a lesson in history and a testament to hope.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAshley Bryan (1923-2022) grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he shared the joy of song with children. A beloved illustrator, he was named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book, \u003ci\u003eFreedom Over Me\u003c\/i\u003e. He also received the Coretta Scott King--Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, was a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer, a Coretta Scott King Award winner, and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include \u003ci\u003eFreedom Over Me\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eSail Away\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eBeautiful Blackbird\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eBeat the Story-Drum, Pum Pum\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eLet It Shine\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eAshley Bryan's Book of Puppets\u003c\/i\u003e; and \u003ci\u003eWhat a Wonderful World\u003c\/i\u003e. He lived in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Atheneum Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50641712120082,"sku":"9781534404908","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_e6f09b97-915b-497e-9f11-5765fa4025c9.jpg?v=1733031936","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/infinite-hope-a-black-artists-journey-from-world-war-ii-to-peace-9781534404908","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}