Illustrated by Loveis Wise
5 stars
A fantastic book that blends the principles of Kwanzaa, Black history, poetry, and breathtaking artwork.
Through moving verse, Zoboi takes the reader though time, recounting significant events in American history. The book remembers the joyful and freeing times as well as the dark and violent ones. From the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Jim Crow laws, and violent killings to the Reconstruction Era, the Civil Rights Movement, and the first Black president.
I love that the book doesn’t just focus on traumatic events in history (slavery, Jim Crow), but also on the moments of joy, growth, and community within and around them. This includes music, dance, poetry, inventions, literature, and activism, showing people coming together to create and fight for themselves.
Wonderful artwork that perfectly captures the essence of the text.
The book is quite lengthy as it covers so much history, but can easy be broken down into various reading sections either by historical moments and events (roughly 1-6 page spreads) or by principle (2-6 page spreads). Other elements can be incorporated into these readings to better understand the information presented, such as learning the different dances, listening to specific songs and musical artists, and talking about historical figures mentioned in the text (Octavia Butler, James Baldwin, Madam C. J. Walker, George Washington Carver).
The backmatter is fantastic. There is an Author’s Note about Kwanzaa and its connection to history, a breakdown of historical events and times in history, and a list of further reading.
A powerful read and wonderful way to learn and talk about history.
This is a fantastic book to read during Kwanzaa, Black History Month, and throughout the year to remember.