(2) 4-6 Isaiah Dunn is not your typical hero. Heroes usually win, but Isaiah seems to experience a lot of losses: losing his father on Thanksgiving Day, losing his home, and almost losing his mother to depression and alcoholism. He has also lost his ability to write poetry--an outlet that had once allowed him to express his emotions, experiences, and anxieties. Isaiah connects to his dad's memory through the stories his father wrote for him in a notebook, featuring a superhero also named Isaiah. This notebook is Isaiah's prized possession, and he takes it with him everywhere, savoring the stories within. Achingly realistic, the novel shines a light on children living with the secret burden of homelessness and its impact on a child's social and emotional development. Isaiah assumes a lot of responsibility and pressure to try and solve his family's problems--taking care of his younger sister, trying to earn money for a place to live--leaving very little time to just be a normal kid. For Isaiah, there are many obstacles to becoming the superhero in his dad's stories, but he learns that sometimes the most heroic of superheroes needs a little help. In this moving tale of life, loss, and the love of words, Isaiah learns that perseverance and vulnerability are real superpowers and that family and community are the real wind beneath a superhero's cape.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(2) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Maya is seeing things, or so she thinks, as weird creatures start appearing in her Chicago neighborhood. Add to that her dreams about a scary shadow-man, and Maya has cause for concern. That concern turns to outright fear when her father, who guards the veil between dimensions, is kidnapped by the Lord of the Shadows, the scary man in her dreams. Maya and her friends, Frankie and Eli, set off on a quest to find Maya's missing dad, face their fears, and contend with powers and worlds they never knew existed. This story features well-executed world-building; complex characters in a diverse cast (Frankie has two mothers, the school principal uses inclusive pronouns); loving, supportive families; and a tight-knit community within a large city. Maya's adventure is steeped in West African mythology, as she learns that she is part orisha and must quickly learn the ropes of the mystical world. Readers, too, are introduced to the world of West African culture, folklore, and spirituality, with nuance about the binaries of good and evil. A welcome addition to middle-grade fantasy centering Black characters, the story is a page-turning ride that will leave readers eager for more.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) YA Del's forever crush on schoolmate Kiera comes to a head when she finally becomes single in their junior year of high school. Del is poised to do whatever it takes to win her over, even if it means (inadvertently) joining their church's Purity Pledge group. There is hope, however, from Kiera's friend Jameer, who strikes a deal with Del: Jameer will put in a good word with Kiera in exchange for Del providing him with information from the sex ed class Jameer isn't allowed to take. Del accepts the challenge, but soon begins to realize that his journey into Kiera's heart is not going to be as easy as he thought. With realism and humor, Giles paints the complicated, messy reality that many teens face in navigating sexuality, relationships, and the conflicting messages they receive from society. Toxic masculinity is explored, juxtaposed with the sexual double standards that are applied to young women. The church abstinence-group setting, too, effectively highlights the ways religious suppression can exacerbate the very issues it seeks to resolve. Del's learning experiences lead him into enlightening realizations. Though these do not come without many mishaps and misunderstandings, they eventually guide him to unpack his one-way, self-centered focus on Kiera and to consider that his feelings may not be reciprocated.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(2) YA Enchanted Jones wants to be a star, but her life is ordinary, until a real-life fantasy unfolds when superstar Korey Fields sees her sing at an audition. It seems her dreams of stardom are within reach, but the dream gradually turns into a nightmare, and one morning, she wakes up with blood on her hands next to Korey's dead body. Enchanted has to endure the character assassination (and victim blaming) that ensues with Korey's death. In another ripped-from-the-headlines novel, Jackson (Monday's Not Coming, rev. 7/18; Let Me Hear a Rhyme, rev. 7/19) takes readers through a heart-pounding thriller exploring physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, misogynoir, and rape culture. Enchanted's first-person narration shuttles between the past and the present, commanding readers' attention with its nonlinear structure. The story also taps into the adultification of Black girls, who are often seen as older than they are (see the book's title, Grown). In light of the #MeToo movement and of the many Black girls whose stories of abuse and assault are not told or not believed, this novel is sure to initiate important conversations while delivering an engrossing story.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020

(2) YA Tracy is running out of time. It's been seven years since her father was wrongly convicted of a double murder. Every week, Tracy writes to Innocence X, an organization that represents people who are unjustly convicted and sentenced to death, and tries unsuccessfully to convince them to work to get her father absolved and released. As if that burden weren't enough, Tracy's older brother Jamal is accused of killing Angela, a young white woman with whom he was secretly romantically linked. Now, Tracy not only has to get help for her father, whose execution date is less than a year away, but also must solve the mystery surrounding Angela's death, so that her brother doesn't suffer the same fate. This suspenseful story is unfortunately all too familiar--Black people suffering at the hands of police violence, an unjust legal system, and disproportionate incarceration rates--a narrative that is at once heroic and heartbreaking. Tracy is left to unravel a mystery that highlights and humanizes a number of pertinent issues regarding racism in America, the role of media and social bias in our perceptions of one another, and the grief and despair of the families of the incarcerated.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020

(2) YA Henri "Halti" Haltiwanger walks dogs for his well-to-do neighbors to earn money to help out at home, operating as an individual but pretending to work for a fictitious company to make himself look more legitimate. When his headstrong, studious (but socially awkward) neighbor Corinne discovers his deception, she blackmails him into helping her with her social skills. The arrangement results in a rom-com story line that complicates Halti's college aspirations. Halti's Haitian immigrant parents want him to attend Columbia University, which he's worked hard to make a reality; he knows he is at a disadvantage compared to his wealthy classmates. A poor decision puts Halti's dreams on the line as he tries to navigate his final year in high school, college admissions, young love, and friendship. In his second novel, Morris Award winner Philippe (The Field Guide to the North American Teenager) creates a witty, humorous, realistic snapshot of the pressures young people face as they make their way into adulthood. Through memorable, multifaceted characters, Philippe explores themes of how race, class, and socioeconomic status can open doors for some, while closing them for others. Refreshing, romantic, and at times laugh-out-loud funny, the book is satisfying and, yes, charming.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Bre Indigo. Janae is a loner and plans to keep it that way in middle school, that is, until she meets outgoing, audacious Aubrey, who is determined to be friends. Preferring to stay in the background, Janae is instead confronted with her greatest fear--public speaking--when there is a movement to rename her school, John Wayne Junior High, to honor social justice activist Sylvia Mendez. Janae certainly has thoughts on the matter but is reluctant to voice them because she believes her thoughts make bad things happen--her brother's sports injury, her parents' divorce, her grandfather's stroke. Imagine what could happen if she ever decided to share her beliefs aloud. This accessible novel has a great deal to say about challenging family dynamics, friendships, and social change. Janae's story, layered with her social anxiety and mistaken belief that she is the cause of her family's problems, is complicated but relatable. Her journey toward finding her voice should inspire readers who are likewise searching for theirs. Occasional black-and-white spot art reflects the protagonist's personality and worldview.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020

(2) YA Jamal and Q were close until Jamal's parents died in a tragic car accident, with Jamal secretly blaming Q for their deaths because Q called Jamal's dad while Dad was driving. Two years later, Jamal rescues his estranged friend from drowning, only for Q to die later at the hospital. Beyond the grief of losing his parents, Jamal must confront the grief of Q's death not once, but twice: an experimental medical procedure is offered to "restore" Q for a short time so that his loved ones have the opportunity to say goodbye. Reynolds (Opposite of Always, rev. 3/19) weaves themes of friendship and tragic loss into a sensitive tale of two teens who have lost their way in the midst of grief and misunderstanding. He manages to make the science-fiction premise feel realistic, offering a compelling backdrop as Jamal and Q attempt to repair their relationship. The author also deftly uses humor throughout this fast-paced, engagingly written book, providing levity in a story dealing with heavy issues such as death, reconciliation, and learning how and when to let go.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2020

(2) YA When Houston high school basketball star Rex ­Carrington blows his customary kiss to his late mother, similarly talented Carli mistakenly thinks it's meant for her--right before she passes out from a gallbladder attack. Rex rushes to her side, and from there, sparks fly on and off the court. The alternating narrations by Carli and Rex thrust readers into the intensity of first love, dreams of bright futures, and the hope of happily ever after. However, the romance has some bumps in the road as the realities of each of their lives encroach upon their relationship: Carli grapples with her parents' separation and her family's expectations about her future in basketball, while Rex struggles to connect with his emotionally distant father. This romance stands out because of its sensitive Black characters (Rex is allowed to cry), who revel in their naive teenage notions of love and experience all the volatility of adolescence.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Michele Wood. "I entered the world a slave...I was a slave because my countrymen had made it lawful, in utter contempt of the declared will of heaven." Our introduction to Henry Brown in the opening lines of the book are in his own words (Narrative of the Life of Henry Box Brown, Written by Himself). The history of Henry Brown--who self-emancipated from enslavement after his wife and children were sold away by shipping himself North in a wooden crate, hoping to "pass as dry goods"--has been told before (see Henry's Freedom Box, rev. 3/07). Here, Weatherford's moving, poetic verse gives the story a very personal tone as the reader becomes immersed in Brown's harrowing tale of loss and sorrow and his determination to be free. Written in sixains, with each line representing a side of a box, the text painstakingly traces Brown's journey: "I take a bladder of water and a drill to bore air holes / And cram my two-hundred-pound body into the box." The mixed-media art uses collage elements effectively. Deep reds and bright blues and greens figure prominently, giving the art a somewhat vintage feel while still being vivid and vibrant. The book ends powerfully with a sixain titled "AXIOM": "Freedom / Is / Fragile. / Handle / With / Care." Appended with a timeline, a bibliography, and notes from the illustrator and the author.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(2) YA Zoboi presents seventeen short stories by an impressive collection of black children's and YA authors, including Jason Reynolds, Rita Williams-Garcia, and Justina Ireland. This collection seeks not merely to counteract society's idea of blackness but to expand it to its fullest expression. It's a celebration of identity through vibrant narratives that will accurately communicate to all young people that they are enough--just as they are.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(3) K-3 Translated by Amy Novesky. Illustrated by Marc Daniau. Inspired by the Norman Rockwell painting The Problem We All Live With, this French import presents the fictionalized story of six-year-old Ruby Bridges, one of the first African American children to integrate a Southern school. Written in first person, and paired with expressive, striking illustrations, the book should resonate with readers with its frank presentation of the difficulties Bridges faced during this flashpoint in American history.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Xia Gordon. Encouraged to write from a young age, Gwendolyn Brooks (1917–2000) became one of America's most prolific and beloved poets. Part biography, part poetic ode to a literary legend, Duncan's "song" helps introduce Brooks's work to new generations by incorporating several of her poems throughout. Gordon's expressive illustrations, in a warm color palette, are full of movement and emotion. Reading list, timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(2) YA With her overprotective mother away, seventeen-year-old African American ballerina Chloe plans to drive from her home in New Jersey to an audition in DC. She runs into a roadblock when her neighbor and frenemy, Eli, blackmails her into taking him (and his dog, Geezer), along for the ride. This is an engaging, romantic story that explores dealing with relationships, loss, and having the courage to follow your heart, romantically and otherwise.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2019

(3) 4-6 Freedom's Promise series. Cleanly designed and supported with lots of photos, these books feature clear texts that help contextualize pivotal episodes in African American history. The treatments don't shy away from the violence and hatred that the fight for civil rights unleashed in America. Bloody looks at how the U.S. civil rights movement inspired Catholic activists in Northern Ireland. There are eight other spring 2019 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Freedom's Promise titles: Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine, The March on Washington and Its Legacy, Ruby Bridges and the Desegregation of American Schools, and Two Bloody Sundays.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(3) 4-6 Freedom's Promise series. Cleanly designed and supported with lots of photos, these books feature clear texts that help contextualize pivotal episodes in African American history. The treatments don't shy away from the violence and hatred that the fight for civil rights unleashed in America. Bloody looks at how the U.S. civil rights movement inspired Catholic activists in Northern Ireland. There are eight other spring 2019 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Freedom's Promise titles: Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine, The March on Washington and Its Legacy, Ruby Bridges and the Desegregation of American Schools, and Two Bloody Sundays.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(3) 4-6 Freedom's Promise series. Cleanly designed and supported with lots of photos, these books feature clear texts that help contextualize pivotal episodes in African American history. The treatments don't shy away from the violence and hatred that the fight for civil rights unleashed in America. Bloody looks at how the U.S. civil rights movement inspired Catholic activists in Northern Ireland. There are eight other spring 2019 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Freedom's Promise titles: Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine, The March on Washington and Its Legacy, Ruby Bridges and the Desegregation of American Schools, and Two Bloody Sundays.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(3) 4-6 Freedom's Promise series. Cleanly designed and supported with lots of photos, these books feature clear texts that help contextualize pivotal episodes in African American history. The treatments don't shy away from the violence and hatred that the fight for civil rights unleashed in America. Bloody looks at how the U.S. civil rights movement inspired Catholic activists in Northern Ireland. There are eight other spring 2019 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Freedom's Promise titles: Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine, The March on Washington and Its Legacy, Ruby Bridges and the Desegregation of American Schools, and Two Bloody Sundays.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Don Tate. Hopkinson's inspiring story explains how young Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950) read the newspaper to his father and fellow coal miners. Their desire to be informed citizens, plus a challenge from his Harvard professor, led Woodson to later establish Negro History Week, predecessor to Black History Month. Tate's engaging mixed-media illustrations and endpaper drawings include portraits of Black leaders throughout history. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(2) YA With lyrics by Malik "Malik-16" Sharif. It's 1998, and hip-hop reigns supreme in the streets of Brooklyn. Unfortunately, the violence plaguing the community claims the life of Steph Davis, brother to Jazmine and best friend to Quadir and Jarrell. After discovering Steph's recordings and notebooks of his rhymes, the trio sets out to make Steph famous, posthumously. Jackson presents a fast-moving, heart-pounding homage to nineties hip-hop; Brooklyn; and the power of music, love, and friendship.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2019