SYDNEY'S BIG SPEECH

A young girl finds her voice.

When Mr. Simmons asks the class to stand and introduce themselves on the first day of school, Sydney, a Black girl, decides to go last. As every worst-case scenario floods her mind, she opts out of introducing herself altogether. Later, Mr. Simmons asks the students to prepare speeches about what they want to be when they grow up. Sydney frets, but her father inspires his apprehensive scholar by sharing examples of outstanding Black women political leaders such as Kamala Harris, Condoleezza Rice, Carol Moseley Braun, and Shirley Chisholm. Sydney reveals that she would like to be a great leader someday and agrees that she’ll have to make speeches. Sydney’s father confides that he, too, is shy and has had to practice the art of public speaking. Sydney practices, but she still feels nervous the night before her big speech. With a little extra love from her dad—and a viewing of President Barack Obama’s “Yes We Can” speech—Sydney gets the extra push she needs to assert herself. Newsome tells a sweetly empowering story, while Orlando’s illustrations, a combination of watercolor and digital media, are whimsical, charming, and inviting; the crayon images of her heroes that Sydney tapes to her wall are an especially nice touch. Mr. Simmons is Black; the class is diverse.

Wonderful inspiration for young introverts.