Celebrate Juneteenth

(3) K-3 "It's your turn to celebrate...and to remember." Dad tells Mazie about the history and significance of Juneteenth, from the jubilation after emancipation through civil rights struggles of the last century. Cooper's accessible text covers the subject broadly and lyrically; his warm illustrations have a dreamlike quality and effectively tie past and present together. A brief author's note provides a few details.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) 4-6 You Choose: History series. This Choose Your Own Adventure–style book relates the history of Juneteenth from the perspective of three newly freed slaves. The narrative offers three story paths for readers to follow, each with various scenarios and multiple outcomes. Though the information is limited, readers will come away with a general sense of the issues. Photos and illustrations help break up the text. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(1) K-3 Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. In exquisite, lyrical text, Johnson reimagines Juneteenth--the date slaves in Texas finally learned of their emancipation--from the perspective of one fictional family. The words build to a crescendo of emotions as these now-free people prepare for a new life. Lewis's soft watercolors mirror the emotion of the text--the sun reflects off the grateful faces, eyes face the future with clarity.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2014