Reviews
Strange Fruit, Volume II: More Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History, by Joel Christian Gill
clasea2's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
chelle523's review against another edition
5.0
The stories included in this book are very compelling and well told. This book (and the first volume as well) should be required reading for elementary and high school children. Too often, when we're taught Black history, we fall back on the few dozen really famous heroes and heroines, but there is so much more to draw from. In addition to the captivating storytelling, the biographies in this book are visually fascinating as well. Truly a must-read . #28daysarenotenough #NetGalley
brinnet's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful little collection of short stories in graphic novel form about remarkable black individuals whose stories often go unheard.
There is no need to read Volume 1 first, as the stories are completely independent of one another. Quite interesting and stories you will want to retell!
If you like this book, check out Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World, which tells similarly incredible stories about uncelebrated women.
There is no need to read Volume 1 first, as the stories are completely independent of one another. Quite interesting and stories you will want to retell!
If you like this book, check out Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World, which tells similarly incredible stories about uncelebrated women.
p0tat0's review against another edition
3.0
I thought there wasn't quite as much creativity with the storytelling as there was in Volume 1, but I still liked it.
elizabethlk's review against another edition
5.0
Joel Christian Gill has an incredible talent for bringing the stories of important but lesser-known figures from Black history into the spotlight. The stories Gill shares in Strange Fruit Volume II are the exact kind of stories I wish I had heard as a child, but I am incredibly glad for everyone, adult or child, who gets to read these stories now.
Gill uses an accessible art style to portray history in a way that is appealing without ever feeling condescending, as well as in a way that is interesting without ever appearing sensational. The storytelling style feels exactly the same, and there's something that I think is vital in getting to experience these stories for the first time from someone who cares about how those stories are being presented.
The assortment of people who are featured in this collection is quite broad. I had only properly read about one of them before (Mary Fields), and I had heard of maybe two others. I am always delighted when a collection of biographies can show me so many incredible figures that I was unfamiliar with before. I think the ability to make unknown figures known and accessible for a broad audience is vital and makes Gill a force to be reckoned with.
I highly recommend all of Joel Christian Gill's work, and Strange Fruit Volume II is no exception. Reading the first volume is not necessary to read and love the second volume. While the series isn't targeted towards younger readers, I think that anyone middle grade and up will find something to love here.
Gill uses an accessible art style to portray history in a way that is appealing without ever feeling condescending, as well as in a way that is interesting without ever appearing sensational. The storytelling style feels exactly the same, and there's something that I think is vital in getting to experience these stories for the first time from someone who cares about how those stories are being presented.
The assortment of people who are featured in this collection is quite broad. I had only properly read about one of them before (Mary Fields), and I had heard of maybe two others. I am always delighted when a collection of biographies can show me so many incredible figures that I was unfamiliar with before. I think the ability to make unknown figures known and accessible for a broad audience is vital and makes Gill a force to be reckoned with.
I highly recommend all of Joel Christian Gill's work, and Strange Fruit Volume II is no exception. Reading the first volume is not necessary to read and love the second volume. While the series isn't targeted towards younger readers, I think that anyone middle grade and up will find something to love here.
jmanchester0's review against another edition
5.0
#28daysarenotenough
E pluribus unum: out of many, one. That is the story of Black people in America. People from different tribes, languages, and cultures; people who were stolen from different societies, brought to this country and forced to build a new nation.
All of these stories were great - but the story of Stagecoach Mary Fields was fascinating!
As I started to read the Sheriff of Yankee Hill, the art seemed so cinematic that it seemed like it should be immediately made into a movie!
I couldn‰ЫЄt believe the story of Contraband - that the Union army took slaves as spoils of war and keep them as slaves. I mean, I can believe it, and it shouldn‰ЫЄt come to be as a surprise, but it did.
I am truly sad that I can‰ЫЄt hear Tom Wiggins play. I‰ЫЄll have to look up some performances of his work.
And Josephine Baker was a spy for the French Resistance?? I need to find and hear about that story. (It‰ЫЄs only mentioned in this book.)
I‰ЫЄve decided that I need to get both volumes of this book for my home library. I would love to see some of these stories developed and given a bigger audience!
Thanks to NetGalley and Fulcrum Publishing for a copy in return for an honest review.
E pluribus unum: out of many, one. That is the story of Black people in America. People from different tribes, languages, and cultures; people who were stolen from different societies, brought to this country and forced to build a new nation.
All of these stories were great - but the story of Stagecoach Mary Fields was fascinating!
As I started to read the Sheriff of Yankee Hill, the art seemed so cinematic that it seemed like it should be immediately made into a movie!
I couldn‰ЫЄt believe the story of Contraband - that the Union army took slaves as spoils of war and keep them as slaves. I mean, I can believe it, and it shouldn‰ЫЄt come to be as a surprise, but it did.
I am truly sad that I can‰ЫЄt hear Tom Wiggins play. I‰ЫЄll have to look up some performances of his work.
And Josephine Baker was a spy for the French Resistance?? I need to find and hear about that story. (It‰ЫЄs only mentioned in this book.)
I‰ЫЄve decided that I need to get both volumes of this book for my home library. I would love to see some of these stories developed and given a bigger audience!
Thanks to NetGalley and Fulcrum Publishing for a copy in return for an honest review.
onecraftchick's review against another edition
4.0
A really easy read with a great little history lesson.