Illustrated by Markia Jenai
5 stars
Fantastically recounts the history behind Juneteenth, from the Middle Passage and enslavement to the Civil War and emancipation. The book shows ways Juneteenth has been celebrated, how Jim Crow laws affected its spread, and how Opal Lee and others worked to make it a national holiday.
Nice illustrations. A great balance of showing some of the ways Black people have been mistreated in American while also showcasing the joy, celebration, and community of Juneteenth throughout time.
I wish the text was little bigger, but the information is great and overall the presentation works well.
The backmatter includes additional information about Juneteenth, a glossary of terms used in the text, and suggested books and websites.
A great resource for learning more about Juneteenth, its history, and how it became a national holiday.