Nonfiction

Life during wartime

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

The Enemy’s Daughter by Anne Blankman (Viking Books for Young Readers, 288 pages, grades 4-7). Marta and her papa are traveling aboard the Lusitania, trying to get back to Germany with falsified documents. Just as her father’s true identity is discovered, the Lusitania is torpedoed, and the two must fight for their lives. Although they both survive, Papa is arrested immediately upon their arrival in England, while Marta manages to slip away. Hiding in a barn, she’s befriended by an Irish girl named Claire, whose family is poor but manages to find food and shelter for Marta. Marta’s talent for acting and imitating accents comes in handy to conceal her German identity and impersonate a Dutch girl. The two girls work together in a chocolate factory, and Marta saves her earnings for a train ticket to Amsterdam, where she hopes she can book passage back to Berlin. Despite having been taught to hate the British, Marta can’t help but respond to Claire’s friendship and the loving kindness of her family. When Marta’s true identity is discovered by a factory employee, Claire is horrified at first, but eventually she too realizes that their friendship is real and helps Marta escape. The last pages see Marta getting ready to travel to Amsterdam, worried but hopeful that her family will be reunited at last in Germany.

Readers will be drawn into this book right away with the tragic sinking of the Lusitania in the early chapters, followed by Marta’s struggle to survive and find her way home. I was hoping for a bit more resolution to her story, as well as finding out what happened to her father, but it’s a realistic ending given the time and place. The reflections on humanity and who is an enemy occasionally felt a little didactic but could definitely engender some interesting discussions.

Revolutionary Mary: The True Story of One Woman, The Declaration of Independence, and America’s Fight for Freedom by Karen Blumenthal and Jen McCartney, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley (Roaring Brook Press, 40 pages, grades 2-5). Mary Katharine Goddard didn’t get to go to school like her younger brother William did, but her mother taught her reading and math at home. When William decided to pursue bigger ambitions, Mary and her mother took over his print shop. After her mother died, Mary took charge, running a successful business until her brother asked her to move to Baltimore to help him with another shop. Once again, he left to pursue other interests, and Mary took over. As news of a revolution made its way through the colonies, Mary engaged in the risky business of publishing news and opinions about independence. After the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Continental Congress moved from Philadelphia to Baltimore, where they made the bold decision to send a copy of the document to each of the thirteen colonies. Mary was chosen as the printer, and she included her name on the declaration, using her full name, Mary Katharine Goddard instead of her usual M. K. Goddard signature. Includes additional information about Mary Katharine Goddard, the Declaration of Independence, and printing and publishing in colonial times; also a bibliography and an author’s note from Jen McCartney that tells how she completed this book after her mother (Karen Blumenthal) died in 2020.

This engaging story of a courageous woman deserves a place in any study of the American Revolution. The text and illustrations are lively, with action words like crank, whoosh, pound, and revolution woven into the pictures. The author’s note about completing the book after her mother passed away unexpectedly at the age of 61 adds a poignant note to the story of a woman who was inspired by her own strong mother.

Mathemagical

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Zero! The Number That Almost Wasn’t by Sarah Albee, illustrated by Chris Hu (Charlesbridge, 40 pages, grades 3 and up). It’s hard to imagine a world without zero, but for much of human history, calculations were made without it. This book begins with a look at some of the earliest people to use the concept that came to be zero: Babylonians, Mayans, and Indians. Zero came to be accepted in the Arabic world, and European traders to that area brought the idea back to Europe, where it was met with…derision and scorn. While some mathematicians enthusiastically embraced zero, other Europeans mistrusted something that came from a different part of the world and continued to use Roman numerals. The invention of the printing press helped spread the word about zero, and when it was finally universally accepted, it opened the door up up to the complex ideas of modern calculus and physics. Includes additional information about zero and some of the other words we use for the concept, a map of places mentioned in the book, a bibliography, a list of math books for younger readers, a “blurry” timeline of zero, and some notes about the art.

This is a fascinating story of something most of us don’t think about, but which has been a key to scientific and technological advancement. The history of its evolution shows the dangers of not being open to the contributions of other cultures. There’s a lot of information and a huge span of history covered, making me wonder exactly what ages to recommend it for. I can see some older elementary students finding it interesting, but I think it could also be used in middle school or high school STEM classes.

The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a Shape by Amy Alznauer, illustrated by Anna Bron (Candlewick, 40 pages, grades 2-5). As a child, Marjorie Rice was fascinated by shapes and arts. She learned to read at an early age, starting second grade at the age of five. Despite her interests and intelligence, her parents encouraged her to pursue a career as a secretary, and she didn’t go to college. Marjorie married and had five children. As they grew up, she started reading her son’s Scientific American and particularly enjoyed Martin Gardner’s “Mathematical Games” column. She was intrigued by one column about the problem of finding pentagons that could be tessellated infinitely without gaps. Gardner stated that all such pentagons had been discovered, but a month later, a reader discovered a new one. This inspired Marjorie to look for new ones on her own, and she eventually found four more. In 1995, she was recognized at a Mathematical Association of America meeting with a standing ovation, a true amateur who was motivated solely by her own interests and passion for shapes and art. Includes an author’s note about her personal connections to Marjorie Rice; additional information about the problem Marjorie worked on; information on how to discover a shape; a bibliography; and a couple of photos.

This engaging biography is an inspiration to follow your passions, no matter where you are in life. The storytelling is lively, and I particularly enjoyed the illustrations that do a great job of bringing Marjorie’s work to life. I struggled a little to understand exactly what she was working on, and like the previous book, this is one that may be enjoyed more by older readers with more of a mathematical background.

Be the change

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Stalactite and Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave by Drew Beckmeyer (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Two nubs of rock in a cave greet each other as the one above drips a steady stream of water drops onto the one below. They’re friends from the start and enjoy the company of other more transient creatures as they witness the history of life on Earth. First a trilobite, next an Ichtyostega with some new legs, then a triceratops who enjoys a dazzling light display before disappearing. Ice Age creatures give way to early humans, and finally, contemporary human tourists marvel at the stalactite and stalagmite that are almost touching each other. A futuristic city appears outside the cave, then darkness as the two fuse together into a column of stone. Includes additional information about some of the creatures and a timeline of the time period covered in the story.

Enjoy a warm, fuzzy friendship story while simultaneously feeling insignificant as you follow this rocky relationship over millions of years. Drew Beckmeyer makes it look easy to create an amazing picture book with plenty of humor that introduces the entire history of life on earth.

Papilio by Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor, and Andy Chou Musser (Viking Books for Young Readers, 48 pages, ages 3-7). Three friends and beloved author-illustrators have created a story in three parts about Papilio, a black swallowtail butterfly. In the first, by Clanton, Papilio hatches from an egg and explores life as a caterpillar before creating a chrysalis. Tabor takes the story from there, narrating from inside a chrysalis that is almost eaten by a bird. Having safely survived, the newly emerged butterfly’s tale is told by Musser, as she learns from other flying insects how to use her wings. The stories are tied together by Papilio’s interactions with a mouse, and readers will enjoy seeing the different depictions of it by the three different artists. Includes additional information about butterfly metamorphosis, as well as notes from each of the creators about how they came up with their stories and illustrations.

I was excited to see this book by Ben Clanton and Corey R. Tabor, who are well-loved in my library (I’m not yet familiar with Musser’s work), and it did not disappoint. Kudos to them for taking on the well-worn tale of butterfly metamorphosis and finding something new. It’s fun to compare the illustrations, which are similar but have distinctive differences from the three different artists.

Caboose by Travis Jonker, illustrated by Ruth Chan (Harry N. Abrams, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Hippo loves being first in line, and he’s learned all kinds of tricks to get there: running, sneaking, even slingshotting to the head of the line. But one day, Hippo takes it too far, and Fish gets hurt. “You may not be first anymore!” declares the teacher, and Hippo is banished to the end of the line. It takes a little adjustment, but before long, Hippo has a series of strategies to make sure he’s always the caboose: walking like a turtle, politely letting everyone go ahead, pretending his sneaker has a giant knot. But “caboosin’ it up” causes Hippo to go too far once again, and now his assigned place is in the middle of the line. And the middle proves to be the best place for him, right in the center of all his classmates.

Hippo definitely cracked me up, and there are lessons to be learned about working with others. Kids may recognize themselves or a classmate as Hippo slowly learns line etiquette and how to be respectful of his classmates. The illustrations are adorable, with a huge variety of animals, but I have to say I struggled a little to grasp the lesson Hippo learned at the end.

Tern around, bright eyes

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Sun Bird: The Amazing Journey of the Arctic Tern by Lindsay Moore (Greenwillow Books, 40 pages, ages 4-9). Baby Arctic terns begin life during the Arctic summer, their parents hunting for fish to feed their voracious appetites. The chicks grow and learn to fly as the Arctic days grow shorter. By late summer, they’re ready to begin their migration across the globe to Antarctica. By the time they reach their destination, it’s springtime there, and the terns spend the Antarctic summer resting and growing new feathers for their long journey back north to the Arctic. Includes additional information about the Arctic tern, which has the longest known migration of any animal on Earth and is believed to experience more hours of sunlight, as well as additional resources and a list of references.

Lindsay Moore, author and illustrator of Yoshi and the Ocean and Sea Bear has created another beautiful and fascinating animal book, this one about the Arctic tern. The predominantly blue and white watercolor illustration capture the graceful movements of the birds through the sky and sea, and the poetic text describes their journey with captivating details.

Meet the Mini-Mammals: A Night at the Natural History Museum by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Brian Lies (Beach Lane Books, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Which mammal is the smallest? After introducing readers to what a mammal is, the ferret museum docent takes them on a tour of an exhibit of ten small mammals, descending in size. Each one is shown in the same size exhibit box to allow for size comparison, and each is accompanied by a paragraph of information, a “tiny tidbit” that compares its weight to a common object, and another illustration showing the animal in action. Kitti’s hog-nosed bat is the tiniest, and after its introduction, the mini mammals are pictured together as they enter a mapparium showing where each one lives in the world. Includes statistics on each mammal and a list of sources.

This award-winning team has created an appealing picture book filled with cute mammals and interesting information about each one. The illustrations are outstanding, and the museum presentation showing the animals in descending order of size is clever and keeps the interest high. Personally, I find mini mammals kind of creepy and rat-like, but putting my biases aside, I must concede that this is an excellent nonfiction picture book.

Feminism, past and present

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Tear This Down by Barbara Dee (Aladdin, 304 pages, grades 4-7). Freya has always liked asking lots of questions and having strong opinions, but as she’s gotten older, she’s learned to stay quiet rather than risk being made fun of. A school project leads her to the discovery that town founder Benjamin Wellstone, an outspoken abolitionist, opposed giving women the vote. Teaming up with new friend Callie, Freya embarks on a series of actions to tear down Wellstone’s statue and replace it with one of a local suffragist Octavia Padgett. After the girls sneak out of the house for some late-night statue vandalism before a big town festival, they are both grounded and forced to reconsider their tactics. Freya’s activist grandmother helps her to see that there’s room for both Benjamin and Octavia in town and leads her to come up with an idea of creating a quilt celebrating the suffragists that unites people rather than tearing them apart.

A good choice for Women’s History Month, the latest by Barbara Dee portrays an idealistic, outspoken protagonist who sometimes feels like her strong opinions need to be silenced. I always enjoy Dee’s books that tackle difficult issues with a light touch. Thanks to Aladdin Books for providing me with a free copy.

One Girl’s Vote: How Lucy Stone Helped Change the Law of the Land by Vivian Kirkfield, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon (Calkins Creek, 40 pages, grades 2-5). From an early age, Lucy Stone felt the unfairness of the ways she and other girls were treated as inferior to boys. Her teacher called on the boys before Lucy, even though Lucy’s hand was raised first, and her father dictated family policy, including the decision that Lucy would not attend college like her brothers. Lucy was determined, though, and earned enough money to pay her tuition at Oberlin College, the first American college to accept women. But even at Oberlin, there was inequality, and Lucy fought back, organizing a secret women’s debate society and striking for equal wages to men’s for her campus jobs. After graduation, she was hired by William Lloyd Garrison to work for the New England Anti-Slavery Society. She soon became well-known as a passionate speaker, and her work evolved to include women’s rights. The work and travel was exhausting, but Lucy Stone’s voice helped pass the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery, and paved the way for women to get full voting rights 27 years after her death. Includes a timeline for Lucy Stone and the fight for women’s rights and equality for all, a couple photos, fun facts, and a bibliography.

In my experience, Lucy Stone is lesser known than fellow suffragists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, so I’m happy to see this delightful picture book that emphasizes Lucy’s early days but gives a nod to her tireless work for abolition and women’s rights. The timeline offers quite a few milestones in women’s history. I did not know that Lucy Stone was married to Elizabeth Blackwell’s brother, and that women who kept their maiden names, as Lucy did, were sometimes called Lucy Stoners.

Skywalkers, buffalo hunters, and ribbon dancers: three books about Indigenous Americans

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

To Walk the Sky: How Iroquois Steelworkers Helped Build Towering Cities by Patricia Morris Buckley, illustrated by E. B. Lewis (Heartdrum, 40 pages, grades 1-5). For more than a century, members of the Mohawk tribe from Canada’s Caughnawaga reserve have worked construction as “skywalkers,” balancing on beams high above the ground. Many of them were working on a bridge across the St. Lawrence River near Quebec City that collapsed in August, 1907, killing 75, including 33 from Caughnawaga. Beginning in the 1920’s, Mohawk skywalkers from New York and Canada traveled to New York City to build skyscrapers, including the World Trade Center. After the towers’ destruction on September 11, 2001, skywalkers helped dismantle broken beams and later were an important part of building One World Trade Center. Today, skywalkers continue their work across North America, including Native women who have entered the profession. Includes an author’s note about her family’s connection to the story, additional information about the Quebec bridge collapse and the Kahnawà:ke reserve (formerly Caughnawaga), a glossary, and a list of some of the buildings constructed by skywalkers.

Kids will be fascinated by the story of these skilled, courageous workers who have helped build some of the most famous structures in North America. The Mohawks originally worked as unskilled laborers in exchange for some of their reserve land, but soon proved their fearless skill as skywalkers and have continued the tradition for over a century. Look for YouTube clips to supplement the book with heart-pounding visuals.

The Gift of the Great Buffalo by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Aly McKnight (Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 40 pages, grades K-3). Rose is excited to be at the semi-annual Métis buffalo hunt. Pa is a captain for the first time, in command of ten other hunters. After several days of scouting, no buffalo have been seen, and Rose hears Pa saying they’re scarce because of the settlers and their iron horse. Rose is sure she could find the herd, but Pa says she’s too young to help. But Rose is determined, and with the help of a wolf skin, she finds the buffalo, and the men hunt what they need for their people. At the end of the day, she tells Pa she wishes he would take her with him on the next hunt. “I just might,” he replies. Includes an author’s note relating how she enjoyed the Laura Ingalls Wilder books but felt alienated by their portrayal of Native Americans as savages, and how that led her to write this story about the same time and place; also includes additional information about the buffalo hunt and a bibliography.

This is a fascinating parallel story to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books. Rose has Laura’s same independent spirit and desire to help her family, and she even calls her parents Ma and Pa. It’s a much-needed portrayal of the indigenous people of the plains who are often marginalized in the Little House books.

Raven’s Ribbons by Tasha Spillett, illustrated by Daniel Ramirez (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 32 pages, ages 4-8). Raven loves participating in round dances with his family and friends, and his favorite part is watching the ribbon skirts. His grandmother is famous for making these colorful garments that are created with just the right ribbons for each dancer. When Raven asks if he can have a ribbon skirt, Grandma says, “I’ve lived for a long time, Nosesim, and have never seen a boy in a ribbon skirt.” While Raven sleeps, however, she works late into the night, and by morning there is a beautiful ribbon skirt that looks just like a rainbow. “I’ve lived for a long time, Nosesim,” she tells him, “And I’m lucky to see beautiful things that I’ve never seen before.” Includes notes from the author and the illustrator with additional information about the Round Dance and Two-Spirit people.

This simple story celebrates Indigenous dancing as well as offering a gentle, empowering message about being yourself and affirming gender differences. I loved how Grandmother was able to acknowledge both that a boy wearing a ribbon skirt was new to her and that there can be beauty in doing things in a new way.

Black History for younger kids

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Greatness by Regis and Kahran Bethencourt (Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, ages 4-8). When Nasir and Imani visit Grandma, she pulls out a special photo album handed down to her from her mother. Inside are photos of great people from Black history. The kids get out dress-up clothes and pretend to be Bessie Coleman, a Tuskegee Airmen, and business people from Black Wall Street. Then some magic happens, and they are pulled into the album, where they become the famous people in the photos, like Katherine Johnson, Barack Obama, Colin Kaepernick, and Ruby Bridges. For Grandma, though, nothing compares to the greatness she saw in the two babies pictured at the end–and after spending so much time imagining themselves among greatness, Imani and Nasir feel like nothing is impossible. Includes some photos and additional information about all the people from the photo album.

Every year, I gather books for our big Black History read-aloud, where community members come to our school and read to all the classes. It can be challenging to find books for the younger grades, and this one would make a great introduction to a wide variety of historical figures, encouraging kids to think about their own dreams. The photos of the kids dressed up are fun and inspiring, although I wish there had been photographs of all the famous people at the end.

Sharing the Dream by Shelia P. Moses, illustrated by Keith Mallett (Nancy Paulsen Books, 32 pages, ages 4-8). Agnes is excited to be on a bus with her parents, traveling from Birmingham, Alabama to Washington, D.C. in August, 1963 to attend the March on Washington. There’s a stop at Frederick Douglass’s house, where Agnes is amazed to see Black and white people drinking from the same water fountain. Then it’s on to the March, where Agnes sits on Daddy’s shoulders to hear John Lewis and Josephine Baker speak, and Mahalia Jackson sing. Finally, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. steps up to the podium. “Tell ’em about the dream,” Agnes hears Mahalia Jackson say, and Dr. King delivers his now-famous words about his dream. Afterwards, Agnes sees Black and white people sitting side by side, soaking their tired feet in the reflecting pool, before she and her parents get back on the bus heading home to Birmingham. Includes an author’s note and thumbnail profiles of six people at the March who are mentioned in the story.

I’m so happy to see this book describing the 1963 March on Washington from a young child’s perspective. Agnes is probably about six years old, telling about events in a way that primary students will understand. There’s plenty of information packed into her story, though, with an introduction to such celebrities of the time as Lena Horne, Sidney Poitier, and Jackie Robinson. The straightforward story and illustrations make this a perfect introduction to this important event from Black history.

O Is for Owl. And Octopus.

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To See an Owl by Matthew Cordell (Random House Studio, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Janie is a birder whose ultimate quest is to see an owl. Her patient mother (“Mama doesn’t look for birds the way I do”) takes Janie on trips to meadows and forests where she can look for birds. This year, Janie has a teacher who shares her passion. Mr. Koji shows the class pictures from his birding expeditions and maps he made as a child and tells the class, “To see an owl is magic.” When Janie shares her owl drawings, journal, and maps with the class, Mr. Koji is impressed by her determination and tells her where he’s recently seen a pair of great horned owls. Back home, Janie convinces her mother to take her on one more outing, and when they get to the place Mr. Koji described…there are the owls. Magic.

Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell clearly shares Janie’s passion for owls (read about it on the book jacket’s back flap), and he conveys that passion, as well as the persistence needed and the amazing rewards that come from finally seeing that owl. His illustrations capture the beauty and majesty of nature, and show readers how to use art to record their outdoor adventures like Janie does. As someone who shares Mama’s indifference to birding, I admired her for being willing to keep taking her daughter out on various excursions. This book would go well with Owl Moon by Jane Yolen or Night Owl Night by Susan Edwards Richmond

Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep by Mark Leiren-Young (Orca Book Publishers, 104 pages, grades 4-7). The author introduces octopuses with the story of his first meeting with an octopus named Storm at the Salish Sea Centre in British Columbia. From there, he moves on to five chapters describing many aspects of octopuses’ lives: anatomy, reproduction, intelligence, food, defenses, and homes in the ocean. The second half of the book includes stories of amazing “octopus celebrities” who carried out elaborate escapes or predicted the outcome of soccer games with amazing accuracy. There’s a chapter about the effect of the documentary The Octopus Teacher on educating the public on this amazing animal, which has led to a decrease in human consumption of octopus meat. The final chapter gives readers suggestions for helping octopuses survive in the wild and keeping oceans cleaner and healthier. Includes a glossary, an index, and a list of resources.

I learned a ton about the octopus from reading this book, and anyone doing research will not have to go much further to get everything they need on the topic. I found the second half of the book a bit more engaging than the first half, particularly the chapter on octopus celebrities. The book is pretty text-heavy, and It would be nice to have a companion picture book, which I think would find a wider audience.

Blinded with science

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Thomas Jefferson’s Battle for Science: Bias, Truth, and a Mighty Moose! by Beth Anderson, illustrated by Jeremy Holmes (Calkins Creek, 48 pages, grades 2-5). Thomas Jefferson loved science, and one of his favorite books was Count Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon’s encyclopedia of the natural world. But he was incensed by Buffon’s descriptions of American wildlife, comparing it unfavorably to the animals found in Europe. Thomas decided to measure as many American animals as he could, and recruited friends from different parts of the country to assist him, eventually putting together his own book that he showed Buffon when he became minister to France. So committed to the truth about American fauna was Jefferson, that he actually had friends hunt a moose and ship it to France (you can read more about that here). When Buffon saw (and smelled) the enormous moose, he promised to revise his book, but unfortunately passed away a few months later. Jefferson’s book became well-known, and people started sending him information and artifacts to add to it, helping him to promote the idea that the New World was not inferior to the old one…just measurably different. Includes an author’s note, a list of five steps to use for a scientific inquiry process, a timeline of Jefferson’s life, and a bibliography.

A Dangerous Idea: The Scopes Trial, the Original Fight Over Science in Schools by Debbie Levy (Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 288 pages, grades 6 and up). This account of the 1925 trial of John Scopes, a young high school teacher accused of teaching evolution, gives background information on evolution, the law that banned teaching it in Tennessee, and the two great orators, Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan, who served as prosecuting and defense attorneys. The trial itself is described in detail, capturing both the serious debates about religion and the circus-like atmosphere. The story concludes with information about Susan Epperson, a biology teacher who challenged a similar law in Arkansas, leading to a 1968 Supreme Court ruling striking down the law and allowing evolution to be taught in high schools. There’s also information about the play and movie Inherit the Wind, which took some pretty big liberties with the truth about the Scopes trial. Includes an epilogue tying the case to current events, a detailed timeline from 1831-2005, and an extensive bibliography, index, and list of sources notes.

These books could not be more timely with their reminders that attacking science is a tale as old as time. Both are told with a lighthearted, humorous tone, but the back matter shows how extensively researched they are. I enjoyed the Jefferson illustrations that resemble a naturalist’s notebook, with lots of cartoon bubbles and captions. The authors’ notes will give readers plenty to think about, and I thought Debbie Levy did an especially good job of connecting the events of the Scopes trial to current news stories. Beth Anderson delves into the scientific method and explains how Jefferson made mistakes, too, lest any of us think we have any sort of monopoly on the truth.

Poetry to celebrate Black History

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Girls on the Rise by Amanda Gorman, illustrated by Loveis Wise (Viking Books for Young Readers, 32 pages, ages 5-9). “We are girls on the rise./Today, everyone’s eyes/Are on us as we make waves/Pave the way, and save the day. Today, we finally have a say.” With simple rhymes and lush illustrations, this book celebrates girls of all types, encouraging them to support and empower each other through difficult times. Girls are celebrated for being strong and brave enough to right wrongs in the world. “Because when one girl is on the rise,/It means everyone else is, too.”

Dream a Dress, Dream a Poem: Dressmaker and Poet Myra Viola Wilds by Nancy Johnson James, illustrated by Diana Ejaita (Harry N. Abrams, 32 pages, ages 5-8). This book-length poem encourages readers to dream, citing the dreams of Myra Viola Wilds, a Black woman who grew up in Kentucky before moving to the city to get an education. She became an accomplished dressmaker until the close work damaged her eyes. Myra didn’t give up on her creative dreams, though, turning from sewing to poetry and publishing a book of her poems in 1915. The back matter includes additional biographical information and a photo, and the book begins and ends with two of Myra’s poems.

Both of these poetry books celebrate following dreams and lifting each other up. Amanda Gorman’s work speaks to these themes in general terms, while Nancy Johnson James offers a story of a woman who succeeded despite multiple hardships and was supported by the Black community that helped publish her work.

Both of these books would be excellent for celebrating Black History Month; if you’re looking for more resources, I have recently updated my Black History book list.