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Strange Fruit, Volume II: More Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History by Joel Christian Gill
p0tat0's review
3.0
I thought there wasn't quite as much creativity with the storytelling as there was in Volume 1, but I still liked it.
elizabethlk's review
5.0
Joel Christian Gill has an incredible talent for bringing the stories of important but lesser-known figures from Black history into the spotlight. The stories Gill shares in Strange Fruit Volume II are the exact kind of stories I wish I had heard as a child, but I am incredibly glad for everyone, adult or child, who gets to read these stories now.
Gill uses an accessible art style to portray history in a way that is appealing without ever feeling condescending, as well as in a way that is interesting without ever appearing sensational. The storytelling style feels exactly the same, and there's something that I think is vital in getting to experience these stories for the first time from someone who cares about how those stories are being presented.
The assortment of people who are featured in this collection is quite broad. I had only properly read about one of them before (Mary Fields), and I had heard of maybe two others. I am always delighted when a collection of biographies can show me so many incredible figures that I was unfamiliar with before. I think the ability to make unknown figures known and accessible for a broad audience is vital and makes Gill a force to be reckoned with.
I highly recommend all of Joel Christian Gill's work, and Strange Fruit Volume II is no exception. Reading the first volume is not necessary to read and love the second volume. While the series isn't targeted towards younger readers, I think that anyone middle grade and up will find something to love here.
Gill uses an accessible art style to portray history in a way that is appealing without ever feeling condescending, as well as in a way that is interesting without ever appearing sensational. The storytelling style feels exactly the same, and there's something that I think is vital in getting to experience these stories for the first time from someone who cares about how those stories are being presented.
The assortment of people who are featured in this collection is quite broad. I had only properly read about one of them before (Mary Fields), and I had heard of maybe two others. I am always delighted when a collection of biographies can show me so many incredible figures that I was unfamiliar with before. I think the ability to make unknown figures known and accessible for a broad audience is vital and makes Gill a force to be reckoned with.
I highly recommend all of Joel Christian Gill's work, and Strange Fruit Volume II is no exception. Reading the first volume is not necessary to read and love the second volume. While the series isn't targeted towards younger readers, I think that anyone middle grade and up will find something to love here.
jmanchester0's review
5.0
#28daysarenotenough
E pluribus unum: out of many, one. That is the story of Black people in America. People from different tribes, languages, and cultures; people who were stolen from different societies, brought to this country and forced to build a new nation.
All of these stories were great - but the story of Stagecoach Mary Fields was fascinating!
As I started to read the Sheriff of Yankee Hill, the art seemed so cinematic that it seemed like it should be immediately made into a movie!
I couldn‰ЫЄt believe the story of Contraband - that the Union army took slaves as spoils of war and keep them as slaves. I mean, I can believe it, and it shouldn‰ЫЄt come to be as a surprise, but it did.
I am truly sad that I can‰ЫЄt hear Tom Wiggins play. I‰ЫЄll have to look up some performances of his work.
And Josephine Baker was a spy for the French Resistance?? I need to find and hear about that story. (It‰ЫЄs only mentioned in this book.)
I‰ЫЄve decided that I need to get both volumes of this book for my home library. I would love to see some of these stories developed and given a bigger audience!
Thanks to NetGalley and Fulcrum Publishing for a copy in return for an honest review.
E pluribus unum: out of many, one. That is the story of Black people in America. People from different tribes, languages, and cultures; people who were stolen from different societies, brought to this country and forced to build a new nation.
All of these stories were great - but the story of Stagecoach Mary Fields was fascinating!
As I started to read the Sheriff of Yankee Hill, the art seemed so cinematic that it seemed like it should be immediately made into a movie!
I couldn‰ЫЄt believe the story of Contraband - that the Union army took slaves as spoils of war and keep them as slaves. I mean, I can believe it, and it shouldn‰ЫЄt come to be as a surprise, but it did.
I am truly sad that I can‰ЫЄt hear Tom Wiggins play. I‰ЫЄll have to look up some performances of his work.
And Josephine Baker was a spy for the French Resistance?? I need to find and hear about that story. (It‰ЫЄs only mentioned in this book.)
I‰ЫЄve decided that I need to get both volumes of this book for my home library. I would love to see some of these stories developed and given a bigger audience!
Thanks to NetGalley and Fulcrum Publishing for a copy in return for an honest review.
mahv's review
5.0
A brilliant and educational read detailing the stories of little known African-American figures. The art was beautiful. I highly recommend this graphic novel.
kater07's review
5.0
I read this book because of its cover. Yes, I said it, I judged this book by its beautiful cover! I was NOT disappointed.
The song of the same name by Billie Holiday paints dark images of a terrible time in United States History, but I trusted that Joel Christian Gill would not give us darkness is this second volume of Strange Fruit. I was right. There is light, inspiration, and laughter throughout this beautifully illustrated and concisely written book. Gill tells the stories of 8 different people from history. He gives us beautiful illustrations and the perfect amount of text to make each story compelling and informative. Children and adults will be entertained by these stories and gain knowledge from them as they read.
Gill does touch on the darkness that flows through the history of the USA, but more than that, he shows the strength, happiness, determination, and beauty of people who make up the history of this country. The reader is introduced to many historical figures generally unknown.
These short illustrated stories are easy to read for the young and old and will inspire many to dig deeper into the lives of the people so beautifully showcased in the book.
This book should be a part of every library. Everyone needs to know about these amazing people.
The song of the same name by Billie Holiday paints dark images of a terrible time in United States History, but I trusted that Joel Christian Gill would not give us darkness is this second volume of Strange Fruit. I was right. There is light, inspiration, and laughter throughout this beautifully illustrated and concisely written book. Gill tells the stories of 8 different people from history. He gives us beautiful illustrations and the perfect amount of text to make each story compelling and informative. Children and adults will be entertained by these stories and gain knowledge from them as they read.
Gill does touch on the darkness that flows through the history of the USA, but more than that, he shows the strength, happiness, determination, and beauty of people who make up the history of this country. The reader is introduced to many historical figures generally unknown.
These short illustrated stories are easy to read for the young and old and will inspire many to dig deeper into the lives of the people so beautifully showcased in the book.
This book should be a part of every library. Everyone needs to know about these amazing people.