"Gordon Parks is remarkable: a Renaissance man who has mastered photography, filmmaking, and writing. The story of his life is certainly an incredible one. Transcending voyeurism, Parks’ photographs reveal vulnerabilities of the human experience with grace and compassion. In his 90s and still driven to experience what the world has to offer, and to express his response to it, Gordon Parks is an inspiration to us all."
--Janet St. John, Booklist

Gordon Parks overcame the obstacles of poverty and racism and never gave up on his dreams. He attributes his drive for excellence to his mother who told him, "What a white boy can do, you can too--and no excuses." The first black photographer for Life magazine, Gordon Parks spent over two decades as a professional photographer, and his resume has grown to include novelist, musician, artist, and poet.

After reading a story about Gordon Parks in a Kansas newspaper, Ann Parr immediately set out to learn more about his life. She first interviewed the mayor of Fort Scott, Kansas, whose efforts healed wounds between Gordon Parks and his hometown, and then many of Parks' friends. But it was after interviewing Parks in person that she knew she had a success story that would inspire generations.

Featuring forty-one vibrant black and white photographs and illustrations, this book includes details of Gordon Parks' life and his work. Included are his photographs of the poor, stylish Parisian models, and the Civil Rights movement.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ann Parr has written many of the young-adult books in the Race Car Legends, Behind the Moves, and Wild Rides! series. Parr received her bachelor of arts degree in public school music education and her master of fine arts degree in writing for children from Vermont College. She is an accomplished writer and musician and lives in Kansas with her husband.

GORDON PARKS: No Excuses
By Ann Parr
Photographs by Gordon Parks
32 pp. 8½ x 11
41 b/w photos/illus.
ISBN: 1-58980-411-2
EAN: 978-1-58980-411-1