The 1619 Project: Born on the Water (2021)

by Nikole Hannah-Jones, Nikkolas Smith (Illustrator), Renée Watson

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History. Juvenile Nonfiction. Multi-Cultural. Geography. HTML:The 1619 Project�s lyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States, thoughtfully rendered by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Newbery honor-winning author Ren�e Watson. A young student receives a family tree assignment in school, but she can only trace back three generations. Grandma gathers the whole family, and the student learns that 400 years ago, in 1619, their ancestors were stolen and brought to America by white slave traders. But before that, they had a home, a land, a language. She learns how the people said to be born on the water survived. And the people planted dreams and hope, willed themselves to keep living, living. And the people learned new words for love for friend for family for joy for grow for home. With powerful verse and striking illustrations by Nikkolas Smith, Born on the Water provides a pathway for readers of all ages to reflect on the origins of American identity.… (more)

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Gr 2–5—An illustrated work on the 1619 Project for young readers, this adaptation begins with a school assignment
and quickly immerses readers in beauty and terror. This stunning work offers a glimpse into the history of the Black
American experience before and after the slave trade; the elevated language and breathtaking artwork will have a
lasting effect.

BackstoryBooks | Apr 1, 2024 |

Born on the Water is a beautiful book! The illustrations capture the content, tone, and emotions of the poetry so well. I thought the introduction to slavery and its trauma is honest, but sensitive to young readers. The accurate portrayal of the West African societies from which slaves were kidnapped gives all young readers, but especially young African American readers, an important context for those captured into slavery and the cultural influences seen among enslaved people in the United States and their descendants. This book also celebrates the determination, strength, and resilience of African Americans to create new lives out of such tragedy. Both authors note that they want African American readers to come away empowered and to reflect about their roots -- reading this book is a wonderful way to start such reflection.

I also see this book as important resource for teachers to use in the classroom, offering all students to reflect on the consequences of slavery in the United States, Black resistance and civil rights, and what it means to call oneself "American". (

)

AnnesLibrary | Jan 28, 2024 |

This book is a retelling of the traditional narrative of the slave trade, told in verse and accompanied by glorious and dramatic illustrations. While this is aimed for readers in grades 2 through 5, I absolutely loved it! I stopped at every page to look deeper into the pictures.

I appreciate how intense yet open and honest this book is. It's heartbreaking, uplifting, and inspiring all at the same time! (

)

nadia.masood | Jan 2, 2024 |

Independent Reading Level: Grades 4th-5th
Awards: Pulitizer Prize (2020), Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award (2022)

swopester | Dec 5, 2023 |

Independent Reading Level: Grades 4th-5th
Awards: Pulitizer Prize (2020), Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award (2022)

Mathews_mallory | Nov 26, 2023 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Hannah-Jones, Nikole	—	primary author	all editions	confirmed
Smith, Nikkolas	Illustrator	main author	all editions	confirmed
Watson, Renée	—	main author	all editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Was inspired by

The 1619 Project {The New York Times Magazine, August 18, 2019} by Nikole Hannah-Jones

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Awards

Distinctions

NPR: Books We Love (2021)

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Canonical title

The 1619 Project: Born on the Water

Original title

Alternative titles

Original publication date

2021

People/Characters

Anthony Tucker (slave)

Isabella Tucker (slave)

William Tucker (son of Anthony and Isabella Tucker)

William Tucker (slave owner)

Mary Tucker (slave owner)

Important places

Ndongo

Virginia, USA

Important events

Related movies

Epigraph

Dedication

For Najya - N.H.J.

For Caleb & Nehemiah - R.W.

To my son, Zion. May you continue on the path of bravery and brilliance that your ancestors have laid before you. - N.S.

First words

My teacher gives us an assignment. "Who are you?" she asks. "Trace your roots. Draw a flag that represents your ancestral land."

Quotations

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

Publisher's editors

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Original language

English

Canonical DDC/MDS

Canonical LCC

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▾Book descriptions

History. Juvenile Nonfiction. Multi-Cultural. Geography. HTML:The 1619 Project�s lyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States, thoughtfully rendered by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Newbery honor-winning author Ren�e Watson.

A young student receives a family tree assignment in school, but she can only trace back three generations. Grandma gathers the whole family, and the student learns that 400 years ago, in 1619, their ancestors were stolen and brought to America by white slave traders.
But before that, they had a home, a land, a language. She learns how the people said to be born on the water survived.

And the people planted dreams and hope,
willed themselves to keep
living, living.

And the people learned new words
for love
for friend
for family

for joy
for grow
for home.

With powerful verse and striking illustrations by Nikkolas Smith, Born on the Water provides a pathway for readers of all ages to reflect on the origins of American identity.

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Book description

Stymied by her unfinished family tree assignment for school, a young girl seeks Grandma's counsel and learns about her ancestors, the consequences of slavery, and the history of Black resistance in the United States.

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