(2) 4-6 In this historical novel in verse, fifth grader Cooper Dale is growing up near Pittsburgh in 1963 and grappling with issues concerning her identity as a Black child attending a predominantly white school. While her family encourages her to embrace who she is, Cooper doesn't always feel that way: "Sometimes / I don't want to be black." Mama tells her that she has to "study harder" and "shine brighter" in school due to racism. Wade Carter, a racist classroom bully, makes things even harder, calling Cooper "Mud Face" and "Tar Baby." Things get worse when Cooper's mom takes a job as the Carters' maid. At first, this is just another thing for Wade to lord over her, but it ends up being the impetus for Cooper to see her tormentor in a new light and for him to change his behavior. Wade's mom is seriously ill, and once she learns this, Cooper slowly begins to feel compassion for him and fully embraces Mama's call to "be radiant" along with their church's beliefs about mercy. Nelson has created a likable character in Cooper, and this quiet, introspective novel (with some moments of levity; e.g., Cooper's embrace of Beatlemania) effectively examines what it means to forgive along with the importance of family.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Gordon C. James. Nelson and James's engrossing picture-book biography of African American cowboy and bronc buster George Fletcher (1890–1973) mainly focuses on the major event of his riding life: the 1911 Pendleton Round-Up. Folksy language ("Ranching fit George like made-to-measure boots") brings readers right into the era, and bold brushstrokes give the illustrations a dynamic feel suitable for the subject. Back matter provides further information about the round-up and its participants. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Autumn Allen | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(3) K-3 Step into Reading series. Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport. The focus of this easy reader is the 1963 March on Washington. In addition--and putting that historical moment into context--Nelson introduces the civil rights movement's beginnings in the 1950s along with King's leadership of nonviolent protest. The vocabulary is clear and plain, and the textured illustrations thoughtfully expand the text.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. Ninety-six-year-old Nell doesn't doesn't do hugs and kisses, and she growls her disapproval at her great-granddaughter, this book's narrator. But when Nell shares painful memories of "the time her best friend said they couldn't be friends anymore because of her brown skin," the narrator comes to a better understanding of her great-grandmother. Zunon's illustrations create a stage for the queenly central character.

Reviewer: Nell Beram | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2016

(2) K-3 Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. Nelson presents a picture book adaptation of her No Crystal Stair source material, narrated by young Lewis, son of the National Memorial African Bookstore proprietor Lewis Michaux. Studded with Michaux's aphorisms ("Don't get took! Read a book!"), the book conveys the store's vibrancy during the tumultuous 1960s. Christie, whose black-and-white drawings illustrate No Crystal Stair, here employs full pages drenched with expressionistic color. Bib.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2015

(1) YA Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. Opened at the end of the Great Depression, Michaux's National Memorial African Bookstore became a central gathering place for African American writers, artists, intellectuals, and political figures. In this extraordinary, inspiring book, short chapters are written in thirty-six different voices--mostly of Michaux himself and other historical people. Reading list. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Kathleen T. Horning | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2012

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. Bass Reeves, born a slave, captured over three thousand outlaws as a deputy U.S. marshal. This captivating biography is told in language as colorful as Reeves's career. Accentuated with a palette knife, Christie's sharply textured paintings create an impressionist background of an unformed land as well as detailed portraits of Reeves, his bold black hat conveying unmistakable authority. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2009

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Sean Qualls. A girl talks about how her relatives lived their lives, asking: "And what will I be, Lord? What will I be?" Through Nelson's words and Qualls's mixed-media illustrations, each person becomes distinct and memorable. The story touches on serious topics (racism, slavery), but its overall tone conveys the warmth of the family members' love and their devotion to God and one another.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2009

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Colin Bootman. This story of a young slave girl's escape via the Underground Railroad is told from the unique perspective of her rag doll in the authentic vernacular of the period. Lindy's doll, Sally, goes everywhere with Lindy. When Lindy and her mother run away, Sally is with them: "Feels like I'm flyin'." The dramatic paintings effectively capture the tense moments of the journey.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Step into Reading series. Illustrated by Wayne Anderson. Three short episodes focus on Raymond, a young African-American boy, as he rushes through a day ("Raymond slows down--but not for long!"), makes a new friend ("'Making friends takes time,' Papa says"), and wins a race with his new sneakers. Simple, familiar problems combined with clear and repetitive language make this an attractive choice for new readers. The accompanying illustrations are rather dim.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) 4-6 It's 1961, and narrator Meg is the only black student in her fourth-grade class at Parkview, where her white teacher mistrusts her and air-raid drills unnerve her. After Lucky, a white neighbor, approaches Meg's parents with his interest in the civil rights movement, they become unintentionally complicit in a tragedy that shakes the whole Mayfield community. This engaging sequel to Mayfield Crossing is as heartbreaking as it is hopeful.

Reviewer: Nell Beram