Scan barcode
mpplys's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
5.0
Mixed-media used to masterful effect! These images are going to stay wtih me for a long time for their richnesss, depth, and the way in which they make the subject matter come to life on the page. Several two-page spreads were especially effective, such as the side-by-side of the African fishing boat with the slaver boat, the hands in iron chains, and the sculpture of an enslaved boy next to a drawing of a contemporary Black boy. Telling this story through the voice of a teacher struggling with how to teach this shameful history to her students feels especially poignant at a time when educators are being admonished for teaching the truth of our history.
This title is ideal for upper elementary, especially in an educational setting or read with an adult who can help the child navigate the rich and complex content. -SKB
This title is ideal for upper elementary, especially in an educational setting or read with an adult who can help the child navigate the rich and complex content. -SKB
jennifermreads's review
4.0
As always, a work from Kwame Alexander wows, amazes, awes. His words are pure, gorgeous, luscious poetry—even when conveying the dark messages of slavery that they do here.
The author found an artist in Dare Coulter who made bold choices with his mixed media art. Some of the pieces connected with me, some did not. Some of the pieces I found were emotional punches, others I breezed by. But that is art, isn’t it? Pieces rarely, if ever, speak to every person. And even a favorite artist may not always connect with a fan.
I do wish that Kwame Alexander would have shared his author note at the beginning—or incorporated the yellow in-the-classroom pages at the very start. I did not grasp the story was being told in a classroom until I read the author’s note: “I wrote this story after a racially charged incident happened in my daughter’s fourth grade classroom. … It became apparent that so many schools don’t prepare their students to fully understand the truth about slavery. Because it’s scary. And hard.” After reading this, I went back and saw yellow pages earlier in the story. Then, I understood the purpose of those colored pages and the impetus behind the telling the history. Just one more spread was needed, at the beginning, showing children listening to a teacher reading a book in a classroom. Then, those pages at the end that were very obviously a classroom setting, would have made sense.
The author found an artist in Dare Coulter who made bold choices with his mixed media art. Some of the pieces connected with me, some did not. Some of the pieces I found were emotional punches, others I breezed by. But that is art, isn’t it? Pieces rarely, if ever, speak to every person. And even a favorite artist may not always connect with a fan.
I do wish that Kwame Alexander would have shared his author note at the beginning—or incorporated the yellow in-the-classroom pages at the very start. I did not grasp the story was being told in a classroom until I read the author’s note: “I wrote this story after a racially charged incident happened in my daughter’s fourth grade classroom. … It became apparent that so many schools don’t prepare their students to fully understand the truth about slavery. Because it’s scary. And hard.” After reading this, I went back and saw yellow pages earlier in the story. Then, I understood the purpose of those colored pages and the impetus behind the telling the history. Just one more spread was needed, at the beginning, showing children listening to a teacher reading a book in a classroom. Then, those pages at the end that were very obviously a classroom setting, would have made sense.
molly_dettmann's review
5.0
Wow. From the stunning mixed media that captures horror, truth, pain, and resilience to the words that elevate the art and the importance of the story at hand. What an incredible and necessary work.
librarybeth's review
5.0
I wish I could put a copy in every classroom teaching colonial history. Just beautiful and beautifully written.
scott_thelibrarian's review
5.0
This book brought me to tears. I hate that we are living in a world that tries to water down our history, especially the history of marginalized brothers and sisters. You should definitely read the authors note about what inspired this story because it shows the limited resources teachers have in their classrooms. I think this should be required reading in schools because the message is important. It is very powerful!
librarylove4eva's review
5.0
Gorgeous, gorgeous illustrations/sculptures. Concise telling of the institution of slavery in America. Acknowledgment that the story is a hard one to tell.
nairam1173's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Racism