A handsome and useful volume that will resonate with many young people.
Pearls of wisdom from Black men from various walks of life.
In this companion to Bold Words From Black Women (2022), illustrated by Monica Ahanonu, Pizzoli curates quotes from people from various walks of life, among them actors, musicians, filmmakers, scientists, athletes, civil rights leaders, and more. In her introduction, she explains that she selected the quotes with her teenage son in mind; these are “words of affirmation, power, resilience, truth, beauty, love, whimsy, wonder, success, faith, spirit, and purpose.” Emphasizing transitions, “especially those that young Black boys and men experience,” she seeks to uplift readers. Appropriately, many quotes will encourage young people to mull the direction of their lives. “What is in your life’s blueprint?” asks Martin Luther King Jr. “What you do now and what you decide at this age may well determine which way your life shall go.” Kendrick Lamar instructs readers to “speak on self; reflection of self first. That’s where the initial change will start from.” Several quotes remind young people to consider those around them. “A life is not important except in the impact that it has on others,” as Jackie Robinson said. Each well-chosen quote is nicely paired with a digital portrait rendered in vivid color and bold strokes, along with brief biographical information and some context on the words.
A handsome and useful volume that will resonate with many young people. (Nonfiction. 10-adult)Pub Date: April 8, 2025
ISBN: 9781665930642
Page Count: 112
Publisher: Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Essential.
A guidebook for taking action against racism.
The clear title and bold, colorful illustrations will immediately draw attention to this book, designed to guide each reader on a personal journey to work to dismantle racism. In the author’s note, Jewell begins with explanations about word choice, including the use of the terms “folx,” because it is gender neutral, and “global majority,” noting that marginalized communities of color are actually the majority in the world. She also chooses to capitalize Black, Brown, and Indigenous as a way of centering these communities’ voices; "white" is not capitalized. Organized in four sections—identity, history, taking action, and working in solidarity—each chapter builds on the lessons of the previous section. Underlined words are defined in the glossary, but Jewell unpacks concepts around race in an accessible way, bringing attention to common misunderstandings. Activities are included at the end of each chapter; they are effective, prompting both self-reflection and action steps from readers. The activities are designed to not be written inside the actual book; instead Jewell invites readers to find a special notebook and favorite pen and use that throughout. Combining the disruption of common fallacies, spotlights on change makers, the author’s personal reflections, and a call to action, this powerful book has something for all young people no matter what stage they are at in terms of awareness or activism.
Essential. (author’s note, further reading, glossary, select bibliography) (Nonfiction. 10-18)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7112-4521-1
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
PROFILES
A good-enough introduction to a contested festivity but one that’s not in step with the community it’s for.
An overview of the modern African-American holiday.
This book arrives at a time when black people in the United States have had intraracial—some serious, some snarky—conversations about Kwanzaa’s relevance nowadays, from its patchwork inspiration that flattens the cultural diversity of the African continent to a single festive story to, relatedly, the earnest blacker-than-thou pretentiousness surrounding it. Both the author and consultant Keith A. Mayes take great pains—and in painfully simplistic language—to provide a context that attempts to refute the internal arguments as much as it informs its intended audience. In fact, Mayes says in the endnotes that young people are Kwanzaa’s “largest audience and most important constituents” and further extends an invitation to all races and ages to join the winter celebration. However, his “young people represent the future” counterpoint—and the book itself—really responds to an echo of an argument, as black communities have moved the conversation out to listen to African communities who critique the holiday’s loose “African-ness” and deep American-ness and moved on to commemorate holidays that have a more historical base in black people’s experiences in the United States, such as Juneteenth. In this context, the explications of Kwanzaa’s principles and symbols and the smattering of accompanying activities feel out of touch.
A good-enough introduction to a contested festivity but one that’s not in step with the community it’s for. (resources, bibliography, glossary, afterword) (Nonfiction. 5-8)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4263-2849-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: National Geographic Kids
Review Posted Online: Oct. 27, 2017
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