(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jerry Jordan. Johnson's compelling text tells the inspirational true story of a Black suffragist who fought injustice all her life. This biography of Wells begins with her birth in 1862, a year before the Emancipation Proclamation freed her parents. The Fifteenth Amendment nominally enfranchised Black men, but after Ida's father voted for the first time, his white boss fired him, which led him to open his own business, Wells's Carpentry. At sixteen, Ida lost her parents and younger brother to yellow fever, and she began teaching and pursuing an education to support her siblings. Wells refused to accept discriminatory laws or the racist treatment of Black citizens on public transportation and fought against the brutal practice of lynching. The last half of the book focuses on her suffrage work, including her founding of the Alpha Suffrage Club and participation in the 1913 march of the National American Woman Suffrage Association -- an association that fought exclusively for white women's suffrage. Wells and other women of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, including Mary Church Terrell, participated to show that they, too, required the vote. Jordan's skillfully crafted oil on cloth illustrations effectively capture the historical era in which Wells lived and the determination she showed regardless of the challenge. The detailed back matter -- including an author's note, a timeline, photographs, and source notes -- offers readers ample resources for learning more about a person and history that all young people should know.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani. A relatable tale of friendship and change. Sofia, a dark-skinned girl with cornrowed hair, and May, with long brown hair and light skin, open the gate between their yards and play together daily. One day, they find a field abloom with yellow sourgrass flowers. "My mom says sourgrass shows up every spring, keeping its promise," says May. The girls nibble the sourgrass and spit out the stems, and the plant comes to represent their closeness as best friends. As they romp in the blooming fields, Sofia's stuffed-animal mouse and May's duck come to life and play with the girls and each other. But one "colorless day," May moves away, turning the chalk pastel and watercolor illustrations that had teemed with yellows, oranges, pinks, and greens to darker blues, blacks, and maroons. Sofia sends May letters, but as winter arrives, responses stop. When Sofia spots an early-spring sourgrass flower growing through the fence -- its roots in May's yard and flower in hers -- Sofia recalls the promise of their friendship, and soon, the possibility of a new friend emerges. Lim's hopeful story, with its spare, accessible text, and Maydani's soft, whimsical illustrations offer readers lots to love and notice.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Hayden Goodman. A young girl and her family celebrate the annual West African tradition of masquerade -- the first one since her grandfather's death. The dark-skinned protagonist hears the "Dum! Dum! Dum! Dum!" of drums and knows masquerade, which "honor[s] our ancestors," will soon begin. Her family, dressed in traditional garb, shares akaras, "Grandpa's favorite food," and carries items that belonged to him: Mama wears his bead bracelet; Papa wears his green velvet hat; and the girl's brother proudly carries his special walking stick. Despite the festivities, the little girl feels that "masquerade without [Grandpa] hurts too much." The drummers and musicians "stream by in splashes of color and fanfare," followed by the masquerades -- costumed performers whose masks (per an author's note) symbolize "the tribe's cultural roots" and represent deities, spirits, or ancestors. "The burst of energy in the air lifts my spirit and gives me courage. I know what I must do." When the dancers finally appear, the girl courageously participates in the celebration in her own way. Goodman's culturally rich gouache illustrations add energy to this heartfelt introduction to the uniqueness of this village-wide masquerade celebration. A joyful story of a ritual of remembrance.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu. "STOMP, CLAP, / FLIP, FLAP, / GO HARD, / SNAP BACK!" A rhythmic refrain immerses readers in step, an age-old African American tradition that includes stomping, clapping, singing, chanting, cheering, and careful choreography. A brown-skinned African American girl, who wears a big Afro puff, lives with her mom in a neighborhood where "not many people look like us." When police officers profile Mama or a white woman tries to touch her hair, Mama goes home, dons her dancing boots, and "gets to what she calls 'steppin'.'" When the daughter asks why stepping makes her feel better, Mama sends her to three different strong Black women: a sorority sister, an auntie, and a Black Lives Matter community organizer. The girl learns that step originated in slavery, when people used the only instruments they had (their bodies), and that it flourished when Black sororities and fraternities on college campuses made it integral to their traditions. Uchendu's digitally created illustrations convey a sense of perpetual motion; the joyful color palette abounds in yellow, orange, red, purple, and, of course, pink, a prominent color worn by women of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the sorority highlighted in the book. Celebrating Black history and sisterhood, this story brings awareness to an art form rarely performed outside of African American communities. Like step, this tale should be enjoyed and shared.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Frank Morrison. Acevedo and Morrison provide an engaging, gritty, urban retrospective on the role young people played in establishing break dancing and hip-hop. Set in the Bronx in the 1970s, the story follows Manolo, a "shy Puerto Rican boy who soaked up every bold beat of the conga." Although not a biography, Acevedo's work reads like one because, as she explains in the afterword, the character of Manolo is a composite of many real-life young dancers. As Manolo grows, he admires the dances of the b-boys and b-girls ("B stands for BREAK") and closely follows the "battles," dance-offs with crowds of teens who moved, grooved, and cheered on their favorites. Although he despairs of ever being good at it, he practices until his "flops turned into flips" and his "goofs into glides." But as his talent soars (he acquires the nickname "Kid Flex" because he's so limber), the neighborhood declines: burned-out buildings and broken windows abound as garbage and vandalism fill the streets. Manolo forms a dance crew, the Borinquén Breakers, and a (real-life) white photographer, Henry Chalfant, captures their talent, opening doors to recognition, movie deals, and other markers of fame. This lusciously illustrated picture book, with Morrison's signature images of characters with elongated arms and legs, effectively captures Manolo's initial hesitancy and later verve, bravado, and dizzyingly bodacious moves. A wonderful story of an important artistic form that, like jazz, emerged from Black and Brown communities.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(1) YA Lamb, shy protagonist and one of several narrators, tells of growing up in 1940s Jackson, Mississippi, with her brother, Simeon, and Marion, their tough-as-nails mother, a talented and outspoken seamstress and closeted lesbian. Lamb keeps quiet, works hard, and performs well in school. Headstrong Simeon, a brilliant student, aims to leave the South on a college scholarship and eventually earn a doctorate like his high school principal. Marny, a bookish, redheaded white girl, attempts to befriend Lamb, who finds the girl hard to refuse and meets with her secretly. Their relationship ultimately compromises the family's safety after Marny's older brother sexually assaults Lamb. When Lamb tells Simeon what happened, his retaliation sets off a series of brutal, life-changing events for the whole family. Cline-Ransome deftly creates unforgettable characters, each with a distinct voice, and exposes readers to the oppressive racism of the Jim Crow South. Tangentially connected to the Finding Langston trilogy (Finding Langston, rev. 9/18; Leaving Lymon, rev. 3/20; Being Clem, rev. 7/21), this standalone novel is a devastating page-turner that tells an all-too-realistic story.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez. Grumpy artist Rudeday feels he'll never be famous as he toils away in his fourth-floor apartment. Although he wants to bring people joy, Rudeday has none of it himself. One day, a tapping noise at his window interrupts his work; looking out, he sees a paper clip attached to a string that "seemed to be saying...PLAY WITH ME!" Rudeday quickly sketches a smiling little blue fish and attaches it to the paper clip. The mystery neighbor reels it upstairs, and thus begins a daily window-fishing game, which makes Rudeday happier, more relaxed, and better rested. Then one day comes a knock at the door: it's young Amir (with his family) from upstairs, who reveals himself to be the mystery fisherman. Not only that: "The whole city was window fishing!" Rudeday's "art brought people joy." Gutierrez's (who resembles the book's protagonist) lively and innovative mixed-media paintings explode with color. Unconventional perspectives, occasional photorealistic images, and sketches of the characters in unexpected places will keep readers engaged. Three spreads are printed vertically, emphasizing the distance the fishing game covers. A reel treat of a story about turning strangers into friends in delightful, innovative ways.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Nadia Fisher. Freelon's (Daddy-Daughter Day) quiet picture book tells of an African American father and son on a camping trip. The two wake up in their tent on a chilly morning and walk to the lake. They catch big-mouth bass that they grill for dinner, then roast marshmallows and catch fireflies under the night sky. Throughout the day, they remember Pop-Pop, the boy's late grandfather, who took the boy's father to the same camping spot when he was a child. Fisher punctuates scenes in the present with flashbacks showing the boy's father enjoying similar outdoor experiences with Pop-Pop, the past indicated by lines of wind and swirling leaves. The boy admits in a whisper, "I miss Pop-Pop," and the dad replies, "We feel what we feel. It's okay to let it out." Fisher's digital illustrations capture the closeness of this family as they express their love for each other and the outdoors. A very welcome addition to the growing number of children's books about Black families enjoying nature.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(2) YA In this compelling verse novel set in Boston, African American tweens Zee and April are best friends. Each lives with their single parent in apartments across the hall from each other--narrator April with Chantelle, her army-veteran mom who works nights for UPS; and Zee with his dad, Papa Zee, a postal carrier. The four function like a family. A virtuoso violinist, Zee now attends an arts school, leaving April to face sixth grade without him. Though passionate about drumming, April lacks Zee's confidence and tenacity. After Zee faints at school, he refuses to rest, wanting desperately to perform the orchestra solo. When April finds out that Zee is secretly practicing, she agrees not to tell his dad. Meanwhile, April's mother has fallen in love with a female coworker, who is becoming more a part of their lives, despite April's resistance. A tragedy changes everything, and April feels responsible. Her grief interferes with her drumming, but music also helps her recover. Langley takes readers on an emotionally turbulent ride while highlighting characters' strengths and flaws. The protagonists' love of music breathes life into the plot and propels the action forward. An honest and poignant portrayal of loss and grief that affirms that time and a supportive community contribute to healing.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Frank Morrison. Family + gardening = a great summer feast. Li'l Sissy, the youngest of three African American siblings, tells how she and her siblings help their uncle John cultivate a garden in an empty lot between high-rise apartment buildings in their neighborhood. A gentle giant who towers above the kids, Uncle John lets them choose which plants to grow. Brother chooses corn and lima beans, Sister onions and tomatoes, and Li'l Sissy okra. Uncle John prepares the soil, the kids plant the seeds, and they all water, weed, and watch. At summer's end, at the family cookout, everyone enjoys the grilled meats, but the succotash outshines the rest because Uncle John and the kids grew the ingredients. Morrison's (R-E-S-P-E-C-T, rev. 7/20) color-saturated illustrations hint at his graffiti-art background, radiating the yellows of summer heat and the earth tones of the garden while emphasizing the bond that Li'l Sissy and her siblings enjoy. The wide-brimmed hat she wears, which mirrors her uncle's, suggests that Li'l Sissy will inherit his passion for gardening. Loosely based on the New York City childhood of late author Ford, this visually lush story paints a memorable, sensory-rich portrait of family bonding through gardening.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Monica Mikai. In near-singable text, musician Giddens (co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops band) brings to life a lyrical tale of Black trials, triumphs, determination, and home. A Black father, mother, and daughter ride in a horse-drawn wagon driven by a white man. The text begins: "You brought me here / To build your house... And grow your garden / Fine," and then once the house is standing and the cotton ripens, the white man tells the family, "GO." They build a house for themselves--"but you said I couldn't / Build a house / And so you burnt it... / DOWN." The family remains united and determined through these violent setbacks and makes music together, the mother playing banjo and the father violin, but white people even steal their song. Finally, they rebuild on their own land; the daughter becomes the narrator and echoes her parents' words, now defiantly her own: "You brought me here / To build a house / And I will not be moved." Mikai's warm-toned digital illustrations, awash in blues, greens, and browns, portray the family members' closeness to the land and their steadfast commitment to land ownership--also emphasized by the girl's carrying a young sapling she'd planted from a seed everywhere they go. In the end, her tree's leaves and branches span a joyous double-page spread. An afterword describes the story's autobiographical roots ("I am proud to be a banjo-playing descendent of the Afro-Carolinians who, against all odds, made a culture and built a home and survived, so I could thrive") and directs readers to an online recording performed with Yo-Yo Ma to commemorate Juneteenth.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Tonya Engel. Zoe loves baking cinnamon-swirl bread with her grandmother. As Grandma kneads the dough with a "push and pull," she recalls how her own mother taught her to make bread. When Zoe tries kneading, however, the dough bunches up and sticks to her hands; Zoe wonders "if they will ever move" like her grandmother's. Standing behind her, Grandma places her hands on top of Zoe's and guides the kneading "until it's just right." Engel's (Your Legacy, rev. 1/22) highly textured illustrations, with deep, rich colors, capture the closeness of the intergenerational bond described by Lyons (Dream Builder, rev. 3/20). While the dough rises, grandmother and granddaughter "sit and talk. [Grandma's] hands tell a story if you listen." The following double-page spread shows Grandma's lined palms and fingers up-close, labeled with different identities, including "teacher," "planter," and, most prominently, "mother." As Grandma talks about her own life, Zoe wonders where her own hands will go and what stories they will tell. Baking and reminiscing with Grandma help Zoe see the power and potential she holds in her own hands. A fine companion to Bingham's Soul Food Sunday (rev. 11/21), this story spreads joy like a dusting of flour on a freshly baked loaf.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(2) K-3 How can a budding skateboard pro navigate being in a new place and leaving his posse behind? Ivan, a brown-skinned, big-afro-wearing skateboarder, has "moves so big, his friends call him EPIC." But without an audience, what good are amazing moves? He tries playing football, soccer, and basketball to fit in, but these are not his jam; Epic fails miserably at each of them. His dad advises him to be as tenacious about finding new buddies as he is about acquiring new moves--and eventually he does make friends. ­Morrison (CSK Illustrator Award winner for R-E-S-P-E-C-T, rev. 7/20) immerses readers in a vibrant urban neighborhood through a diverse group of inhabitants, busy street scenes, and expansive graffiti on some walls; he appeals to skateboarding fans by mentioning such "gnarly tricks" as the "backside flip kick push flaky" and the "50-50 grind." The illustrations dynamic perspectives--­including a view from above the street on which Epic skates and another from underneath his board--along with frequent swoosh lines, emphasize the character's perpetual motion. Elliott and Denmon's A Place Inside of Me (rev. 11/20), a Caldecott Honor book about another dedicated skateboarder, would make an excellent companion read. A lively story that encourages kids to use their strengths and talents to find community.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Frank Morrison. This is a moving walk through African American history, via Weatherford's expansion of the lyrics of a well-known Negro spiritual and Morrison's powerful, imagistic art. In his distinctive illustrations, Morrison employs innovative perspectives and unusual visual compositions to encourage readers to make connections between historical events, while Weatherford's poetry, per the author's note, "integrat[es] historical and contemporary events that summoned courage and faith." The book's first, wordless double-page spread looks down on the bare back of an enslaved man emerging from the bowels of a slave ship, facing a white enslaver who holds a whip. From there, the book represents significant historical and contemporary Black heroes such as Nat Turner, Ruby Bridges, Florence Joyner, and Colin Kaepernick; it also portrays important eras such as the Harlem ­Renaissance, the civil rights movement, the Great Migration, and the Black Lives Matter movement. A richly illustrated, informative picture book that will leave readers humming and spark a desire to learn more.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lo Harris. A brown-skinned girl with her hair in two afro puffs hugs her mother goodbye before Mama boards a plane, which she does often. The young narrator feels lucky to have seven "Big Mamas"--enough for a different one to take care of her every day of the week. On Monday, Nurse Louella looks after her, teaching her to ride a bike without training wheels. As the week progresses, each Black mama has a special passion that inspires the girl to pursue a particular profession or live a certain way: she wants to be a pilot, a singer, a chef, a writer, an entrepreneur, and someone who has a heart "big enough to love everybody who needs love." On Sunday, everyone gathers together and brings a dish to a feast composed of delicacies from across the African diaspora. Harris's colorful digital illustrations showcase the curvaceous mamas, who all sport their own hair and clothing styles. Youngblood's cheerful semiautobiographical picture book (an author's note explains the connections to her life) checks deficit-based thinking at the door and celebrates a female village that raises a confident and creative Black girl. A rich chosen-family story of love, care, and community.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2023

(1) 4-6 A biography that's as unique in form and content as the groundbreaking sci-fi/fantasy author herself. Zoboi (The People Remember, rev. 11/21) came to this project from a lifetime love of Butler's work and from having met her on several occasions. The word constellation in the subtitle is used both literally--referring to the other-worldly stories about which Butler dreamed and then wrote--and figuratively, for she was a lonely "rogue planet," with others revolving around her but rarely ­getting to really know her. Focusing mainly on her early life, Zoboi tells the author's story in several literary modes: original poems in many forms (haiku, concrete, and acrostic, among others); excerpted quotes from interviews; and descriptive passages that offer further explanations of these biographical snapshots. This variety is narratively enthralling and reflects Butler's openness to telling stories in many different ways. The volume also offers superb historical context for Butler's life, from the Great Migration to the U.S.'s fascination with UFOs, the baby boom, ­McCarthyism, the civil rights movement, and more. Zoboi occasionally includes relevant visuals--a photograph of Octavia and her mother, Butler's handwritten childhood notes, the cover of a Dick and Jane basal reader--that will provide readers a clearer sense of the historical details. Informational and inspirational, this innovative work will draw committed Butler fans and entice those unfamiliar with her work to seek it out.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Darnell Johnson. Kai Donovan, an African American boy whose family members can all dance, feels he doesn't belong because he just can't. The last time he tried the Electric Slide, he knocked his little cousin over. Granddad has given each of Kai's siblings a dance-related nickname--D.J. Groove, Miss Boogie, and Baby Bounce--but so far, Kai has none. When a wedding invitation arrives from his aunt, Kai worries, knowing the Electric Slide will surely happen at the reception. He asks one of his sisters for lessons and practices diligently. On the wedding day, Kai surprises his whole family--and Granddad finally gives him the perfect nickname. Johnson's colorful cartoon illustrations convey the family's verve and exuberance as effectively as they do Kai's worry and concern. Baptist's conversational text gives each character a distinct personality. This uplifting story of one kid's struggle to fit in with his own family will resonate with readers who have similar insecurities. And the centrality of the Electric Slide might prompt readers to turn on the tunes and get their own groove on.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2021

(2) PS Illustrated by AG Ford. Can you put a house to bed? Grandpop can. Isaac, a young Black boy who is happily visiting his grandfather--but reluctantly sleeping over--says he isn't sleepy when Grandpop tells him it's time for bed. "Then stay awake," Grandpop quips, "but it's time to put the house to bed." As they walk through each room, turning off lights and closing windows, Isaac hears unfamiliar noises that Grandpop explains, allaying the child's fears. The clicking sound is just pet dog Snuffles, the Airedale, following them; the creaking is the wind blowing the swings around outside. In Ford's rich-hued, warm-toned illustrations, books appear in nearly every room of the house, highlighting the centrality of literacy to this family and foreshadowing what will come next. The two settle into a big comfy chair near Isaac's bed, and when Grandpop suggests a bedtime story, Isaac protests that he hasn't yet learned to read. "I bet you can read pictures...Just tell me what you see on each page." And he does. The accompanying illustration suggests that Keats's The Snowy Day is that bedtime story, a mirror book for Isaac; but unlike that book, African American creators crafted this story, and Ford (Brown Baby Lullaby, rev. 3/20) celebrates Black joy with close-ups of Isaac's deep brown face, button nose, and locked or twisted hair. A fine, uplifting intergenerational tale of literacy, literature, and homemade love.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(2) K-3 Illustrated by C. G. Esperanza. A dinner to remember! An unnamed African American boy describes a Sunday dinner at Granny's with extended family. Granny decides that it's time for her grandson to learn to cook macaroni and cheese; mixed greens (collard, turnip, and mustard); and grilled chicken, ribs, and sausage. As he prepares to grate three kinds of cheese, wash and tear greens, and prepare meat for the grill, Granny models each task, asking: "Did you see that, baby?" Doing his best, he says: "My hand hurt. My arm aches. But I don't quit." After the completion of each task comes Granny's affirmation: "That's the best grated cheese [or greens, or meats] I've seen in all my life." While Bingham's writing captures the sound and cadence of this African American family's speech, Esperanza's oil paintings effectively portray the lively characters' perpetual motion and reveal each person's style, from Granny's maroon cornrows and colorful apron displaying an African mask, to the protagonist's blond-tipped high-top twists with lightning bolts shaved into the sides of his hair, to the barbecue master's dreadlocks and flip sunglasses. In the end, the young cook adds one more tasty delight to the meal and radiates pride as the family sits down to dinner. A gustatory and olfactory family feast that will evoke strong memories for some and make others wish they had them.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(2) YA As freshman year at predominantly white Cleveland High in 1955 Spokane, Washington, approaches, Melvin Robinson lives in his siblings' shadows: eldest brother Chuck, accomplished quarterback; older sister Marian, homecoming queen contender; and younger sister Maisy, who has designs on becoming Spokane's first Black journalist. What does Melvin have? A detested accordion, a pet turtle, and a severe stutter exacerbated by stress. In this vividly drawn work of historical fiction, Frazier launches readers into social issues of the time through her portrayal of the friendship between Melvin and Lenny, a Jewish boy who lives above a jazz club and uses his mother's maiden name (Carini rather than Friedman) to avoid discrimination; Melvin's crush on Millie, a Japanese American classmate whose parents refuse to discuss their internment during WWII; and historical events such as Emmett Till's murder. Melvin's authentic narration reveals a teen who is finding his voice and using it to speak out against racism and discrimination. When Melvin and Lenny win first place performing as the Swingin' Saxoccordions on a local TV variety show, Melvin gains confidence for such greater challenges as introducing Rosa Parks at an NAACP gathering. An author's note reveals that Frazier drew many elements of this compelling story from her family's own life.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021