(2) YA Principal Kenneth Moore is dead, shot in his office during a basketball game. The influential Black founder of the all-male Urban Promise Prep School and a pillar of the community, he sought to give the boys at his school a shot at college--at the cost of a draconian code of conduct. Three students of color--a talented basketball player, a bright college hopeful, and a budding culinary star and entrepreneur--are instant suspects in the crime, each with a motive for their principal's demise. Thrown together by their in-common circumstances, these three young men must become quick allies as they race to investigate the case and attempt to clear themselves of any wrongdoing. Will justice be served or will they fall victim to a flawed system? A riveting murder mystery wrapped in social commentary, the novel offers a fresh, contemporary take on an old-fashioned whodunit. It also shines a light on the plight of Black and Latino youth, who are often the targets of an inequitable and unequal justice system. Told from multiple perspectives with interspersed ephemera and extended flashbacks, the story builds to an exhilarating crescendo.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2023

(3) K-3 "I hope that you know you are loved...always. // ...I hope that you never lose sight of the wonder that is you...even though the world won't always let you see it." Equal parts motivational talk, mantra, and prayer, this love letter to Black children across the African diaspora is enhanced by the contributions of nineteen illustrators from around the world. Though the artistic styles are varied, the upbeat text's theme of joyful hope shines through every page. Through Adeola's inspiring words and the illustrations' different perspectives, children are encouraged to see their greatness and revel in the diversity of Blackness. This is a vibrant invitation to celebrate uniqueness in a world of limitations.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(2) 4-6 The list of New York Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm's accomplishments during a time when race and gender were overt factors in exclusion from politics makes her an iconic figure in American history. Chisholm's political rise was groundbreaking on the local, state, and national stages. After this extensively researched biography opens with a map of Brooklyn and a foreword by Stacey Abrams, Bolden traces the arc of Chisholm's life and the many challenges she faced on her way to becoming the first Black woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, helping found the Congressional Black Caucus, and in 1972 becoming the first Black person to run for a major party's presidential nomination. The daughter of immigrant parents, Chisholm spent her early years living in Barbados with her grandmother, eventually returning to the U.S. to continue her education. Her journey into history was not without twists, turns, and disappointments, and Bolden's plainspoken narrative paints a picture of a woman who was as hardworking as she was determined. Short, accessible chapters give readers a sense of the times as well as the woman. A photo insert appears partway through; back matter includes an author's note, sources, and an index. See also recent picture books She Was the First! (rev. 11/20) by Russell-Brown, Shirley Chisholm Dared (rev. 3/21) by Williams, and Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb! by Chambers.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(1) YA Big changes are happening in Caprice's life. After an exciting, eventful summer spent at a wealthy private boarding school's leadership program, Caprice is offered a full scholarship to attend the following fall as an eighth grader. She knows this is an amazing opportunity and a chance for a fresh start, though she is unsure about leaving her friends and family in Newark behind. Unfortunately, there is unspoken trauma in Caprice's past. While living at her grandmother's home when she was much younger, Caprice was repeatedly sexually assaulted by her uncle, and she and her mother were eventually put out of the house and estranged from the family. While she has never spoken of the abuse, memories and feelings are now coming to the surface--especially as her grandmother is ill and the possibility of a reunion is imminent. Booth (Tyrell, rev. 1/07; Kinda like Brothers, rev. 11/14) expertly maneuvers through the sensitive subject matter honestly without being explicit. She also shows Caprice dealing with the usual growing pains of adolescence (including criticism from her friends about her appearance and seeming non-interest in boys). At once heartbreaking and triumphant, this book provides education, encouragement, and acknowledgment that healing is possible even when terrible things happen to us.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(2) K-3 "Son, life is full of holes. / You may want to close them up to keep / out the storm / But make sure to leave room for that / rainbow to find you. / Broken is beautiful." A loving father's morning prayer for his son exemplifies this powerful story about a young Black boy's need for connection and hope. When the boy was seven years old, as the gentle third-person narration tells us, his mother became ill and "had to go away for a while." The subsequent emotional void sends him to seek comfort and belonging with troublemaking friends. His pain is momentarily alleviated by music; when he hears piano music from the apartment next door or a movie soundtrack in the theater, he "could relax. He could shine, and he could dream." After participating in a break-in at the rec center, the boy finds a piano. As he plays it, he recalls his father's words, and, in an emotional moment, "the rainbow...found him." The muted shades of Collier's (All Because You Matter, rev. 7/20) accomplished watercolor and collage illustrations brighten as the story progresses; a final spread features a beautiful array of shades and a collage of faces, instruments, and patterns. The transformative power of music is a clear theme, but equally important is the connection between the boy's inability to express feelings of abandonment and disconnection and his destructive behavior. This visual and textual journey of self-discovery offers a poignant message about the potential of the arts to foster children's development. An appended note discusses the story's inspirations.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(3) PS Illustrated by Shane W. Evans. Racial unrest has a way of unearthing a lot of questions in all of us, particularly in our children. This picture book takes the bold step of beginning to address specific, difficult questions about racism. In lyrical text, children ask family members why a particular act of protest occurs: "Why are those people shouting?" "Our people are shouting because we need to be heard. We need to be heard." The illustrations, done in digital collage and paint, are colorful and engaging while still managing to express a somber, thoughtful mood. This is a good starting point in the process of understanding.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(2) YA Estranged from her mother and twin sister, sixteen-year-old Minah learns about her mom's death through a Facebook invitation to a family reunion and memorial. Minah, now living with her father in Brooklyn, returns to her hometown of (fictional) Obsidian, Michigan, to attend the event. As she attempts to understand the immense loss of a parent, the visit becomes an opportunity for Minah to grieve and to connect back to a traumatic past to which she'd previously promised herself never to return. Her grandmother's announcement that she plans to sell the family home begins a new reckoning of what home and family really mean. Minah's first-person narration lends poignancy to this coming-of-age story, which, as she uncovers more about the past--including through the reading of her mother's diaries--also becomes more clearly a chronicle of the grief of a family affected by the diseases of addiction and mental illness and the veil of secrecy that shrouds them.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2022

(1) K-3 Illustrated by April Harrison. This engaging and beautiful alphabet book features and celebrates not only Harlem's history, including the Harlem Renaissance, but also contemporary figures and iconic places that bridge ­Harlem's past and present. From the Apollo Theater, Harlem Children's Zone, and The Brownies' Book to food, sports, and the arts, there is something here to spark any of a wide range of interests. Equal parts love letter and travelogue, this book is a virtual trip through the sights and sounds of one of New York City's most iconic neighborhoods. Harrison's (What Is Given from the Heart, rev. 1/19) vibrant paint and collage illustrations are equally adept at representing the ­historical and the contemporary. Every inviting spread is alive in color, detail, and respect for the subject matter. This book is a starting point to learn more about one of the most important artistic, cultural, and intellectual incubators of Black culture in the United States. What a splendid way to learn the alphabet!

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2022

(2) YA Nigerian sisters Cheta and Zam could not be more different. Fiery, outspoken Cheta takes the brunt of their mother's severe physical and mental abuse, while quiet, withdrawn Zam attempts to keep her head down to avoid them both. The sisters' life paths diverge when Zam is welcomed into their wealthy aunt and uncle's mansion in Abuja and Cheta is left behind at their parents' rural home. Eventually, Cheta leaves and finds herself trying to survive in desperate circumstances as a result, while Zam deals with the aftermath of a frightening incident in the family. In her riveting debut novel, Onoseta draws readers into a story of a contemporary family grappling with myriad issues in a variety of ways. The compelling tale, with alternating narration by the two sisters, boasts a complex, multifaceted cast. The rich cultural, linguistic, and social customs of Nigerian life are on full display, transporting readers into diverse lives and homes. While the difficult themes of abuse, familial dysfunction, classism, and colorism, among others, are front and center, the sisters' stories take readers on a rewarding journey from brokenness toward wholeness and healing.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Tiffany Rose. Gregarious Abdul loves to tell stories to his classmates--as long as he does not have to write them down. Letters are confusing, and figuring out how to spell words is frustrating. Not to mention that the books he reads at school do not feature people who look like him or the people in his neighborhood: "Some stories are for books, Abdul decided, but not his." Then an author named Mr. Muhammad comes to visit his class. By encouraging the boy to focus on his ideas instead of on mechanics, Mr. ­Muhammad helps Abdul to unleash the writer inside of him. Abdul, who is Black and Muslim, is a relatable character not typically represented in similar narratives, and Mr. Muhammad, who is also Black, Muslim, and neurodivergent, offers encouragement as the caring adult who has learned to manage his own writing challenges. This is a story within a story, not just about the tales Abdul wants to write but also about his journey as a learner; exploring the topic of learning disabilities can be challenging, especially the social-emotional fallout for children who are struggling, but Thompkins-Bigelow accomplishes the task. Rose's lively and colorful illustrations are eye-pleasing and showcase diversity. This is an engaging story that not only offers empowerment but also models understanding and acceptance of learning differences.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Laura Freeman. Elijah Cummings's parents, who worked as sharecroppers in South Carolina, moved north to Baltimore to raise their children. "Although the Cummingses struggled to feed their family," the seven siblings were taught to value education, hard work, faith, and service. At eleven years old, the future congressman embarked upon his lifelong quest for justice when he helped to desegregate a city swimming pool. Each spread features a quotation from Cummings ("The librarians and books...helped me define myself as a human being"); the key point is expanded in a paragraph or two of text. Accompanied by strikingly vivid illustrations, this biography of the iconic social justice activist and political leader is sure to inspire readers of all ages. Statements by Nancy Pelosi and the Congressional Black Caucus are included. A timeline and bibliography are appended.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(2) 4-6 Seventh grader Lotus Bloom marches to the beat of her own drum. She rocks a unique vintage style and a huge afro, and she is a gifted violinist who has been invited to attend a new performing arts school. Not everyone is happy about it, though. Not her best friend, appropriately named Rebel, who resents the new school for taking resources--and Lotus--away from the neighborhood middle school. Certainly not her classmate/nemesis Adolpho, whom she bumps from his position as concertmaster. Not even her mom, who feels Lotus should be thinking about a future outside of music, unlike her musician father who recently relocated to Paris. Worst of all, Lotus finds herself being discriminated against due to her hair, which threatens all of her hard work and her normally peaceful outlook. This captivating novel raises issues of racial discrimination, educational equity, and classism in an approachable way, inviting readers to consider multiple perspectives through the lively cast of diverse, multifaceted characters. Through the drama at school and in her family, as well as ups and downs in her friendships (with Rebel and new frenemy Mercedes), Lotus finds her voice as she learns to release herself from trying to manage the emotions and expectations of others.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2023

(2) 4-6 The Hudsons' latest anthology (We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices, rev. 11/18; The Talk, rev. 9/20) boasts more than thirty contributions from historical and contemporary authors and artists. Short stories, essays, poetry, and art pay homage to the current movement for Black lives. Young people will encounter familiar contemporary authors but will also be introduced to leaders such as Frederick Douglass, through his electrifying 1852 speech "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?"; and Mary McLeod Bethune, from her moving "Last Will and Testament." Poetry is prominently featured: Lesa Cline-Ransome's "At Our Kitchen Table" celebrates the bonds of family while addressing the challenges of being Black during a time of global pandemic and racial unrest; abolitionist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's "A Slave Mother" highlights a not-so-distant past when freedom was only a whispered prayer. Stunning works of art by acclaimed Black illustrators are featured, including Keith Knight, James Ransome, Ekua Holmes, and the late Floyd Cooper. Appended with artist and author notes; brief biographies of the historical figures; contributor notes; and more information about the Black Lives Matter movement.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2022

(2) 4-6 From the author of Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero (rev. 9/20) comes another relatable story that effectively combines the humor and pain of coming of age. Xavier Moon lives with his sister and great-aunt; his parents are both incarcerated. A quiet boy with a pronounced stutter, he prefers to take in the neighborhood action from his bedroom window. But on the day after his twelfth birthday he receives a package from his peripatetic piano-playing great-uncle, Frankie Bell. Inside are some fancy socks and a not-so-sweet letter challenging him to step out and "get your sad self together." Day after day, more socks arrive, all with bright colors and bold patterns. Xavier is about to embark on a new school year--seventh grade--and his number one goal is to be accepted into the Scepter League, an elite afterschool club for which only the most confident, popular boys are chosen. Will Uncle Frankie Bell and his mysterious socks make the difference? Readers get a front-row seat to Xavier's journey to find confidence and follow his dreams in this thoughtfully written book with lots of Black boy joy thrown in for good measure.

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

(2) YA This timely and lyrical verse novel offers a heart-wrenching, unflinching look at the underbelly of the music industry and its exploitation of those who dream of making it big. Three best friends, all talented singers and girls of color who dream of a life outside of their small, mostly white Pennsylvania town, slip away to Newark and find their way into the orbit of Sean "Mercury" Ellis, the "King of R&B." Merc encourages their ambitions and takes them under his wing. His promises of fame and fortune not only fuel their dreams but also their insecurities, which Merc is able to capitalize upon as he begins to morph from a smooth, crooning mentor into a sinister, controlling abuser. Charles (Like Vanessa, rev. 3/18, and others) takes on the difficult topics of emotional manipulation, sexual exploitation, and abuse. These vulnerable young women's stories are, sadly, not uncommon [see also Tiffany D. Jackson's Grown, rev. 9/20, and Sharon G. Flake's The Life I'm In, reviewed on page 87], but their tight bond as friends continues to offer hope in the midst of sacrifice, broken promises, secrets, and lies. The writing at once urges readers to relish the verse and catapults them toward a breathless, satisfying conclusion.

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

(2) YA Also written by Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon. Six stories of romance from six Black young adult authors set this collaborative novel apart, with the tales, all taking place during a (fictional) summer blackout affecting all of New York City, intertwining as the characters make their way toward a block party in Brooklyn. The stories center Black love in its many forms, with Black ­protagonists who are culturally, ethnically, and ­linguistically diverse and have varying sexualities. Topics include love at first sight in Woodfolk's "Made to Fit"; a chance meeting in a rideshare in Yoon's "Seymour and Grace"; a relationship autopsy in Jackson's "The Long Walk"; former friends reconnecting on a stuck subway train in Stone's "Mask Off"; best friends exploring the possibility of love in Clayton's "All the Great Love Stories...and Dust"; and lessons in self-love in Thomas's "No Sleep Til ­Brooklyn." A breezy, entertaining summer read, with each author taking advantage of the premise to write into the ­underserved space of Black young adult rom-com.

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

(2) 1-3 Illustrated by Akeem S. Roberts. J.D. is excited about starting third grade at Douglass Elementary School. At least he was excited before his mom gave him a disastrous haircut that makes him the laughingstock of the whole school. Unable to withstand any more teasing, he decides to literally take matters into his own hands and fix his hair. After using his little brother, Justin, for practice, J.D. realizes he is good at cutting hair and starts a barbershop out of his bedroom. Artistic by nature, and with skill and creativity, he attracts lots of customers, not to mention the owner of the only barbershop in town, Henry Hart Jr. When Hart follows through with a threat to shut J.D.'s business down, our protagonist has to use his wits to save everything he has worked so hard for. This early-to-middle-grade chapter book delivers lively black-and-white illustrations and laugh-out-loud moments. At its heart is J.D.'s loving, hard-working, multigenerational family and his close-knit, small-town ­Mississippi community. While there are subtle references to separation (J.D.'s parents) and money struggles (he sports hand-me-downs and gets his video-game and junk-food fixes at his best friend's house), these are not personal deficits. Rather, they fuel J.D.'s entrepreneurial spirit and his mathematical prowess. The African American cultural references and community values will resonate with readers of all ages, while the joyful, wholesome story will give them something to look forward to in subsequent entries.

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

(2) 4-6 The most important things on Wes Henderson's mind this summer are hanging out with his friends, having the newest, freshest sneakers, and preparing for his first year of middle school. Activism is the last thing he is interested in, especially because he is so often forced to participate in his parents' protests and community service (or, as he puts it, spending his weekends around "old people"). His ambivalence turns to determination after learning that developers are eyeing his vibrant, close-knit neighborhood, including the family home his grandfather had saved for ten years to purchase. Even Wes's lifelong friendships turn tense as the decisions to stay and fight or sell and leave put pressure on his most important relationships. Giles's middle-grade debut is a timely, relatable story about family, friendship, community, and racism. In dealing with challenging themes around gentrification, the story capably illustrates the practice's social costs through characters who humanize and simplify this complicated topic for young people. The underlying message: you are never too young to make your voice heard.

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

(2) YA Trell has the ability to communicate with the dead through letter-writing. Her skill brings comfort to the loved ones of the deceased and much-needed income to Trell. The teen is the breadwinner for an extremely neglectful and abusive household consisting of her unemployed mother and Mom's revolving door of unappealing, sometimes violent boyfriends. One of the dead she communicates with warns Trell to stop her supernatural activities. But when she discovers that she can actually raise the dead, it's hard to resist this lucrative prospect, as she is desperate for anything that might alleviate the horrifying emotional and physical violence she suffers at home (and hesitant to ask for help, as she fears being ­separated from her mother). Lewis's debut straddles the line between fantasy and horror, the latter coming from both the life this protagonist was born into and the dark magic she ushers in. Compellingly written with nuanced, fallible characters, the story is intense and at times heart-wrenching; relationships with a friend and a guidance counselor offer some bright spots for Trell. Alongside issues of poverty, parental neglect, and abuse, the novel provides welcome positive examples of resilience, friendship, vulnerability, and growing into one's personal power.

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

(2) YA When sixteen-year-old Alex lays his hands on an object, he gets a glimpse of the future related to what he's touching. These visions are a great source of anxiety for the teen, who is also dealing with the grief of losing his parents in a car accident several years earlier and with the emotional chasm between himself and his younger brother, Isaiah. When Alex touches a photograph and sees his brother's impending death, he is devastated--particularly because he is unable to change Isaiah's fate. However, he is determined to do whatever he can to reconnect with his sibling in the time they have remaining. That effort leads to surprising revelations, including how deep these supernatural roots run in the family's ancestral line. Morris (SLAY, rev. 11/19) deftly weaves in themes of contemporary racism and the adultification that Black children often experience, with the tension between the past and an uncertain future resulting in hypervigilance. For Alex--and, we learn, for Isaiah--this manifests in a difficulty in focusing on the present. But amid the gripping, suspenseful plot, the joy in the unfolding relationship between the siblings provides respite and bridges the ancestral past to a hopeful future.

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