Andrea Davis Pinkney

I have held a special place for Ezra Jack Keats and his cast of vibrant characters since doing some research on him for an author presentation to 3rd grade students. His spare text and lush, vibrant illustrations bring me joy, and his insistence of including (and featuring) children of color in a landscape true to many urban children's experiences captured my admiration.
This biographical tribute by Andrea Davis Pinkney, Lou Fancher, & Steve Johnson captures the feeling of Keats' books and show more gave so much more meaning to his life story than I had researched myself. The poetry is clever and moving, and the illustrations are so reminiscent of Keats'. A beautiful book that captures the life of a beautiful author so well. Highly recommended. show less

Collective biographies are often so pedestrian. This one absolutely shines. I knew some facts about all its subjects but have read the most about Jackie Robinson, Malcolm X, and Barack Obama. Each of the stories are like little jewels. While they are brief life stories, nothing feels lacking. This is particularly impressive when talking about beliefs and philosophies: the conflicting beliefs of W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington; the faith journey of Malcom X. Back matter includes show more timeline, sources, and an index. show less

The multiaward-winning Pinkneys’ requiem lovingly explains in a set of “docu-poems” the events surrounding Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, particularly the Memphis sanitation workers’ strikes that brought him to the city where he eventually died.

The author humanizes King through the love he has for his family and movement comrades (including an April 4, 1968, pillow fight with his brother, Andrew Young, and Ralph Abernathy) as well as the viral bug he suffers with as he show more gives his last, prescient, and momentous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. The illustrator, blending influences of Marc Chagall and Norman Lewis, gives the story a loosely drawn, vibrantly warm, watercolor haze, which, with halos of yellows and oranges and even wings, give King and his family an almost beatific, if not saintly, glow, even in their sorrows. The character of Henny Penny, who is a blend of the fabled chicken and a wise black grandmother, provides the Greek-chorus narration in a device that is understandable if sometimes-distracting. Catholicism creates hagiographies to explain their martyrs’ and other saints’ deaths, whether history concurs with their feats for the faith or, in some cases, their very existences. Even as U.S. black communities wrestle with Dr. King’s personal foibles, media-glossed images, and complex messages, here readers have a children’s book in which adults may also find succor, if not inspiration, considering the current reverting-to–pre–Civil Rights administration.

Spiritually vital. (author’s and illustrator’s notes, history, timeline, bibliography) (Poetry. 8-adult)

-Kirkus Review show less

I worried that this was going to have "Western savior problem," but any "saving" that happens is through Amira's and her family's own bravery. The red pencil is a symbol and a start on her road, but Amira does the rest. Will likely appeal to kids who enjoyed [b:Inside Out & Back Again|8537327|Inside Out & Back Again|Thanhha Lai|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1357771743s/8537327.jpg|13404762] or [b:Brown Girl Dreaming|20821284|Brown Girl Dreaming|Jacqueline show more Woodson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1424308405s/20821284.jpg|39959105], or who are already engaged with the story of Darfur through [b:A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story|7981456|A Long Walk to Water Based on a True Story|Linda Sue Park|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437400549s/7981456.jpg|12409139]. show less