Kelly Starling Lyons
Author of Jada Jones, Rock Star
About the Author
Image credit: Author Kelly Starling Lyons at the 2019 Texas Book Festival in Austin, Texas, United States. By Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83497068
Series
Works by Kelly Starling Lyons
TYS TRAVELS ZIP, ZOOM! 2 copies
Sankofa: My Family Reunion 1 copy
Associated Works
Recognize!: An Anthology Honoring and Amplifying Black Life (2021) — Contributor — 55 copies, 3 reviews
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Gender
- female
- Occupations
- children's book author
- Short biography
- Kelly Starling Lyons is a children's book author whose mission is to transform moments, memories and history into stories of discovery. She is the author of picture book, One Million Men and Me (Just Us Books), and chapter book, NEATE: Eddie's Ordeal (Just Us Books). She has two forthcoming picture books with Penguin/G.P. Putnam's Sons. The first, Ellen's Broom, is illustrated by Daniel Minter and debuts on January 5, 2012. The second, Tea Cakes for Tosh, is illustrated by E.B. Lewis and debuts that fall. Lyons, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, lives in North Carolina where she facilitates a book club that celebrates literary treasures by African-American children's book authors of today and the past.
- Places of residence
- North Carolina, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- North Carolina, USA
Members
Reviews
Author Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrator Keith Mallett join forces in this beautiful picture-book tribute to that classic song, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," originally written and composed by African-American brothers James Weldon Johnson and R. Rosamond Johnson as a hymn for Abraham Lincoln's birthday. First performed on February 12, 1900, by a choir of five hundred African-American students - pupils at James Weldon Johnson's all-black Stanton School in Jacksonville, Florida - the song show more would go on to become the unofficial "Negro National Anthem," adopted by the NAACP (The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), and has remained a deeply meaningful work of music for the African-American community, over the course of many generations. The narrative here follows five generations of a single family, as they learn and sing the song, while events in America move on. Whether it be the tragedy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination, or the hope implicit in the opening of The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., the generations of this family respond with the at times poignant, at times celebratory words of this classic song...
Having always loved the song mentioned in the title, I picked up Sing a Song: How "Lift Every Voice and Sing" Inspired Generations with a sense of anticipation, one made all the keener by the beauty of the cover art. That said, I wasn't expecting to be quite as moved as I was by Lyons' narrative, which had me choking up on more than one occasion. A tribute to the hardships and injustice endured by the African-American community, and a celebration of the strength, love and faith that allowed them, not just to survive, but to triumph, this is a lovely book. It examines a non-fiction topic - the influence of a beautiful and deeply meaningful song, and the way in which it reflects American history - through a fictional lens, showing through its tale of one family over the generations, the way in which artistic expression can reflect and strengthen the human spirit. The artwork from Kaith Mallett is lovely, colorful and full of light, and capturing the feeling of each generation. Although no musical notation is included, the full text of the song appears on the front and rear end-papers, and a brief author's afterword gives more information about the history of the song. A wonderful book, one I would highly recommend to those seeking children's stories about this song in particular, about the role of music in human history in general, or about the struggles and triumphs of the African-American experience. show less
Having always loved the song mentioned in the title, I picked up Sing a Song: How "Lift Every Voice and Sing" Inspired Generations with a sense of anticipation, one made all the keener by the beauty of the cover art. That said, I wasn't expecting to be quite as moved as I was by Lyons' narrative, which had me choking up on more than one occasion. A tribute to the hardships and injustice endured by the African-American community, and a celebration of the strength, love and faith that allowed them, not just to survive, but to triumph, this is a lovely book. It examines a non-fiction topic - the influence of a beautiful and deeply meaningful song, and the way in which it reflects American history - through a fictional lens, showing through its tale of one family over the generations, the way in which artistic expression can reflect and strengthen the human spirit. The artwork from Kaith Mallett is lovely, colorful and full of light, and capturing the feeling of each generation. Although no musical notation is included, the full text of the song appears on the front and rear end-papers, and a brief author's afterword gives more information about the history of the song. A wonderful book, one I would highly recommend to those seeking children's stories about this song in particular, about the role of music in human history in general, or about the struggles and triumphs of the African-American experience. show less
Black child overcomes a fear of horses.
Dom longs to ride like confident big sister Leah and Uncle Blue. But the horses seem so large, so intimidating—their “big bodies, big legs, and big teeth” are unsettling. While Leah rides off with Uncle Blue, Dom stays behind, watching the riders shrink till they’re “tiny as toys.” When Dom confides in Magic, the ebony horse with a coat that “shines like it’s covered with stars,” he seems to understand. That night, Dom dreams of Black show more riders on horseback calling the child to join them. With encouragement from the rest of the family and time spent brushing Magic’s “stardust” coat, Dom builds the courage to mount. Later, Dom imagines future rides, including riding in a Juneteenth parade. Celebrated artist Lewis renders this tender journey in watercolors that realistically capture the peaceful rural setting and the majestic horses, as well as Dom’s trepidation and growing confidence. The illustrator’s compositions include shadowy, dream-rendered spaces and sun-drenched fields. The paintings’ soft washes and glowing light create an atmosphere of warmth and safety, while Lewis’ skillful handling of Dom’s perspective—showing Dom on the ground against the landscape, then triumphant atop Magic—visually reinforces the youngster’s achievement. Lyons’ interplay of Dom’s heartbeat (“ba-bum”) with the horse’s hoofbeats (“clip-clop”) provides a satisfying rhythmic thread.
A heartening, beautifully illustrated testament to patience, trust, and burgeoning courage. (Picture book. 3-7)
-Kirkus Review show less
Dom longs to ride like confident big sister Leah and Uncle Blue. But the horses seem so large, so intimidating—their “big bodies, big legs, and big teeth” are unsettling. While Leah rides off with Uncle Blue, Dom stays behind, watching the riders shrink till they’re “tiny as toys.” When Dom confides in Magic, the ebony horse with a coat that “shines like it’s covered with stars,” he seems to understand. That night, Dom dreams of Black show more riders on horseback calling the child to join them. With encouragement from the rest of the family and time spent brushing Magic’s “stardust” coat, Dom builds the courage to mount. Later, Dom imagines future rides, including riding in a Juneteenth parade. Celebrated artist Lewis renders this tender journey in watercolors that realistically capture the peaceful rural setting and the majestic horses, as well as Dom’s trepidation and growing confidence. The illustrator’s compositions include shadowy, dream-rendered spaces and sun-drenched fields. The paintings’ soft washes and glowing light create an atmosphere of warmth and safety, while Lewis’ skillful handling of Dom’s perspective—showing Dom on the ground against the landscape, then triumphant atop Magic—visually reinforces the youngster’s achievement. Lyons’ interplay of Dom’s heartbeat (“ba-bum”) with the horse’s hoofbeats (“clip-clop”) provides a satisfying rhythmic thread.
A heartening, beautifully illustrated testament to patience, trust, and burgeoning courage. (Picture book. 3-7)
-Kirkus Review show less
Friendship dynamics and a love of rock-hounding characterize this story. 4th grader Jada's best friend has moved away, and she's trying to negotiate her new school year and feeling a little lonely on the sidelines at recess. I love that she eventually wins over a potential enemy with kindness, but also sticks up for the things she loves and knows a lot about. Strong characters, strong story and good illustrations.
Miles and his classmates eagerly anticipate a field trip to the ice rink to learn about physics, but when RJ bets that Miles will wipe out on the ice, it puts a dent in Miles' enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Miles suspects his beloved grandmother is planning to move out of the family's home. Then Miles' dad tells him about Black hockey player Willie O'Ree and he looks at ice skating in a whole new way. A science-loving Black boy who also appreciates history? More of this, please!
Lists
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 38
- Also by
- 3
- Members
- 3,416
- Popularity
- #7,454
- Rating
- 4.1
- Reviews
- 100
- ISBNs
- 186
- Languages
- 2
