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African-American Experience in Poetry

Cover art for I LAY MY STITCHES DOWN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Feb. 15, 2012
Kirkus Star I LAY MY STITCHES DOWN: POEMS OF AMERICAN SLAVERY
by Cynthia Grady, illustrated by Michele Wood
"A powerful grouping of thought-provoking poems and brilliantly designed paintings. (author's note, illustrator's note, bibliography) (Poetry. 10 & up)"
Enslaved African-Americans voice the weariness, drudgery, agony and dreams of their lives in a beautiful and informative collection of poetry and paintings. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 6, 2009
THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS
by Langston Hughes, illustrated by E.B. Lewis
"The beautifully reverent, serene cover image will persuade all to look inside. (Picture book. 5 & up)"
A visual paean to Hughes's enduring poem, Lewis's images make a personal connection to a taproot of feelings. Read full book review >
Cover art for STITCHIN’ AND PULLIN’
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 28, 2008
Kirkus Star STITCHIN’ AND PULLIN’: A GEE’S BEND QUILT
by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera
"An outstanding way to introduce aspects of African-American history and explore the power of community. (Picture book/poetry. 6-12)"
McKissack's series of poems tells the story of and honors the history of the women quilters of Gee's Bend, Ala. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE BLACKER THE BERRY
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 1, 2008
Kirkus Star THE BLACKER THE BERRY
by Joyce Carol Thomas, illustrated by Floyd Cooper

"What shade is human?" Read full book review >
Cover art for MISS CRANDALL’S SCHOOL FOR YOUNG LADIES & LITTLE MISSES OF COLOR
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 1, 2007
Kirkus Star MISS CRANDALL’S SCHOOL FOR YOUNG LADIES & LITTLE MISSES OF COLOR
by Elizabeth Alexander, Marilyn Nelson, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
"A foreword provides a brief prose history of the school; a concluding authors' note explains their collaborative process. (Poetry. 10+)"
Two years after Suzanne Jurmain's nonfiction chronicle, Forbidden Schoolhouse (2005), comes a glorious poetic celebration of the teacher and students at a Connecticut school that defied mid-19th-century convention to educate African-American girls. Read full book review >
Cover art for BRONZEVILLE BOYS AND GIRLS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 1, 2007
Kirkus Star BRONZEVILLE BOYS AND GIRLS
by Gwendolyn Brooks, illustrated by Faith Ringgold
"There is a drop of truth in every single playful, piercing stanza, and anything that brings these poems to a new audience is to be cheered; a lovely package indeed. (Picture book/poetry. 7+)"
Brooks's gloriously universal celebration of African-American childhood here receives a respectful and joyous treatment from one of the pre-eminent illustrators of the same. Read full book review >