THE LIGHT SHE FEELS INSIDE

A young Black girl looks to her ancestors.

Maya has an indisputable light. As she navigates her world, positive interactions—a conversation with her parents, an unexpected gift from a neighbor—reinforce the glow she feels within. But sometimes she experiences “a different kind of glow, a burning one.” Like when a classmate pushes her or when her brother, taking her to get ice cream, is stopped by police. These moments bring Maya’s anger to a crescendo. When things become more than she can bear, she visits the library to confide in Ms. Scott, who is Black. The librarian offers words of encouragement and books about Black women who channeled similar feelings into effecting change. Ida B. Wells reported on injustice, Nina Simone sang “about what freedom might feel like,” and activist Marsha P. Johnson helped start a shelter for LGBTQ youth. Maya feels her glow, and later, her parents tell her about the women in her family who turned adversity into opportunities to do good. This gentle, heartfelt tale shows young readers how to find inspiration from role models. Illustrations use color to depict Maya’s emotions—when she’s joyful, the glow is a bright yellow; when she’s angry, it’s a bright crimson. Once she feels more empowered, her light transforms into an effervescent rainbow of colors.

Sure to light up young readers—and encourage them to help make the world a better place.