An emotionally attuned introduction to an undersung historical figure.
A biography of James Forten, a lesser-known Black figure in the American Revolution.
James Forten (1766–1842) was born in Philadelphia to an African American family that wasn’t enslaved, although, as Grant points out, “Free didn’t mean they were treated fairly.” James (as Grant calls him) attended a Quaker school for free Black children that emphasized racial equality. When he turned 14, James joined the American colonies’ fight for independence from Britain. He worked on an American ship, helping to capture British boats, and for several months he was a prisoner of war. So it was with good reason that James expected that when the war ended in 1783 and the colonies were no longer under British rule, he would be considered an American citizen, but according to the new U.S. government, that privilege was reserved for white people. Throughout the book, which chronicles the adult James’ abolitionist activities, including his co-founding of the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1833, Grant draws from research to speak to her subject’s interior life (e.g., “James gazed in awe at the brave fighting men”). This emphasis on emotion may appeal to young readers who are wary of history books (even those with illustrations). Likewise, Williams’ digital art, which features rich applications of classic colonial colors, infuses this history with humanity by foregrounding the people James worked with, battled, and loved.
An emotionally attuned introduction to an undersung historical figure. (afterword, timeline, Forten family tree, resources) (Picture-book biography. 9-12)Pub Date: June 16, 2026
ISBN: 9781643795799
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Lee & Low Books
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
A tighter focus would make this fascinating life story even more intriguing.
In this graphic memoir by sports journalist Shah, a ninth grader pursues his passion in the face of familial expectations pushing him toward a medical career, while also navigating the perils of high school social life.
It’s 1995, and Indian American Amar is desperate to meet the Chicago Bulls—Michael Jordan, in particular—when they stop by his Orlando, Florida, school. A lucky break leads him to his first sports interview, with Phil Jackson, and his tenacity takes him further, leading to multiple conversations with Shaquille O’Neal. But Amar’s luck in journalism doesn’t spill over to his relationship with his crush, blond Kasey Page (“like a mixture of Cameron Diaz, Tinkerbell, and heaven”), or his efforts to remain close with best friends Rohit and Cherian, who start spending more time with other classmates. The work relies on captions as much as plot developments to propel the story. It also follows a broad cast of characters—close and former friends, antagonists, supportive adults, and famous athletes—who appear in multiple storylines. The story accurately depicts the complexities of life as a young teen, though overlapping life challenges pull it in multiple directions, leaving some threads underexplored and hastily wrapped up. Doucet illustrates the characters using loose, disjointed outlines that give the artwork a sense of movement, and the colorful backgrounds use patterns and action lines to indicate a wide array of emotions.
A tighter focus would make this fascinating life story even more intriguing. (author’s note, photographs) (Graphic memoir. 9-12)Pub Date: Aug. 5, 2025
ISBN: 9781546110514
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Graphix/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: June 13, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A spirited biography untangles the accretion of myth and story around Pocahontas and makes clear what little is actually known and what fragments of the historical record are available. The text is rich in illustration and in sidebars (on longhouses, colonial diet, weaponry and so on) that illuminate the central narrative. Whether Pocahontas saved John Smith’s life directly or as part of an elaborate ritual might not matter, argues Jones. Pocahontas and her people were certainly responsible for keeping the English settlement of Jamestown from starvation. Relations between English settlers and Native people were uneasy at best, and the author traces these carefully, relating how Pocahontas was later kidnapped by the British and held for ransom. When none was forthcoming, she was converted both to English ways and the Christian religion, marrying the widower John Rolfe and traveling to England, where Pocahontas saw John Smith once again and died at about the age of 21. An excellent stab at myth busting and capturing the nuances of both the figure and her times. (glossary, bibliography, source notes, index) (Biography. 9-12)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4027-6844-6
Page Count: 124
Publisher: Sterling
Review Posted Online: Aug. 31, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2010
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