Of mamas, papas and "big mamas": authors weave a rich tapestry portraying strong African American kinships. - five books on family - book review

Black Issues Book Review, May-June, 2003 by Suzanne Rust

The mother recounts the struggles and achievements of her life and the lives of her fellow activists the rallies, marches, protests and sit-ins--all in the name of what was fight and just. Her husband, John Due, a civil-rights lawyer, also fought for the cause working alongside great leaders of the movement.

Growing up with such powerful role models, Tananarive Due learned to embrace a sense of political responsibility: "Our parents gave us ballet lessons, drama lessons, piano lessons, ettiquette lessons--and life lessons. From a very young age, we were taught that there were injustices in the world and that we could have a role in rectifying them."

Patricia Due always knew that she wanted to write a book about her experiences, and Tananarive always knew that she would be the one to help her mother make that book a reality. Told in alternating mother-daughter chapters, Freedom in the Family offers both a history lesson on the Civil Rights era and social commentary about growing up black in this country. In their dosing chapters, Tananarive and Patricia reflect on the world today, making clear that while things have changed, much is left to be done to protect our freedoms. This book is a labor of love and a testament to their strong and beautiful bond.

Romance readers may enjoy these fictional portraits if Black family life:

To Mom With Love: The Gift of Romance ... for Mother's Day by Deirdre Savoy, Jacquelin Thomas, Karen White-Owens, BET Books/Arabesque, April 2003, $9.99 ISBN 1-583-14389-0

Man of the House: A Heartwarming Celebration of One of Life's Greatest Gifts--Fathers by Felicia Mason, Adrianne Byrd and Doris Johnson, BET Books/Arabesque May 2003, $9.99, ISBN 1-583-14401-3