kamsha's review
4.0
The heavier content of this picture book makes this a great read for older children to absorb and discuss with parents and caregivers. The illustrations are absolutely stunning and each poem carries a different aspect of our journey from the West Coast of Africa to the Americas. The verses are full of the joy, the pain, the struggle and the resilience that is the African American experience. I loved it!
meganpbell's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Read for Banned Books Week! This moving and necessary picture book offers a much-needed new perspective on the tragic loss of known ancestry for many African-Americans due to the Middle Passage and chattel slavery. This is an inspiring and beautifully illustrated story about American identity and Black history well worth spending time with not only for children but adults too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Trafficking, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Violence, Death, Physical abuse, and Confinement
Minor: Suicide
beardedbarista's review
5.0
Thank you PRHAudio for this complimentary audiobook! My first one of '22.
I wish I had an illustrated pdf to go along with this. This was a snap shot of the history of the begin of slavery. In an easy to grasp children story. I love the intention of this. To tell a story of our history and how we can learn from the devastating truths to make America and individual origin stories something to be proud of. Really happy books like this exist. And will have to get a hard copy for my daughter.
I wish I had an illustrated pdf to go along with this. This was a snap shot of the history of the begin of slavery. In an easy to grasp children story. I love the intention of this. To tell a story of our history and how we can learn from the devastating truths to make America and individual origin stories something to be proud of. Really happy books like this exist. And will have to get a hard copy for my daughter.
librarianryan's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.0
I am not the right person to critique this book. I liked this book. It’s part of the 1619 Project about the history of Black Americans and how they came to be in this country. What is unique about this book is, it’s all poetry that creates one story. This is normally found in much bigger longer works. The illustrations are strange, but beautiful. They put emotion to the paper to match the words. I can fully say that I thought this book was fantastic, but also realize that I am in no place to critique this book.
hoosgracie's review
4.0
Read this for work. It has beautiful illustrations telling a difficult but surprisingly upbeat story.
annebennett1957's review
5.0
This amazing book, from the 1619 Project, provides a pathway for readers of all ages to reflect on the history of Black Americans who lives started not in slavery but in their own land where they had talents, love, family, culture, pride. Even after these people were enslaved they still had dreams and hopes and learned new ways to show love, have friends, express joy, and to resist their enslavors. This should be required reading for everyone.