Review by Booklist Review
To call this a history of Black Lives Matter isn't enough, as Chambers captures the context of current events; situates this movement within the larger story of slavery in the U.S. and the civil rights movement of the 1950s and '60s; collects wise words from activists to inspire the next generation to join the fight with whatever talents they have; and scatters images of protesters young and old, from the past to the present. It's a dynamic, boots-on-the-ground accounting of an active movement devoted to "ending racial injustice and police brutality" and the massive amounts of organizing and networking that make it possible--BLM is much more than a hashtag. The first chapter introduces the three incredible women who started Black Lives Matter--Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi, and Patrisse Cullors--telling readers about their backgrounds, entries into activism, and first steps in forming Black Lives Matter. Exercising her excellent journalism skills, Chambers weaves their stories and that of the growing Black Lives Matter movement into the subsequent nine chapters, which tackle topics like systemic racism, art and music in protest (including nine pages of photographed Black Lives Matter murals), civil rights history in the U.S. told via an incredible annotated time line, and explanations of the movement's calls to defund the police. Comprehensive, propulsive, and packed with quotes and source material, this book provides essential foundational knowledge and sets new activists up for success.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
With fellow New York Times editor Jennifer Harlan and other Times staffers, Chambers offers a stylishly organized visual history and exploration of the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as the protests that led up to its creation and global spread. The first few chapters profile movement founders Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi, and Patrisse Cullors, "who believed deeply that an antiracist movement would make life in the United States better not just for Black people but for all people," and discuss what called them to action: the killings of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, and George Floyd, among others. The authors go on to offer a timeline of civil rights and Black Power from 1954--1968, as well as a timeline of the BLM movement from 2012--2020, before delving into systemic racism, developing elements of the BLM movement, resonances between past and present, and more. Crisp, rich photographs add context and visual breaks to this engaging, accessible primer for adolescent and adult readers alike. Back matter includes brief interviews with BLM leaders, further reading, credits and photo credits, selected bibliography, and index. Ages 10--up. (Aug.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
This in-depth examination of the BLM movement covers its roots, leaders, impact, and future. Accompanied by powerful photos by New York Times photojournalists, the compelling narrative begins with coverage of the 2020 protests following George Floyd's murder, with social and historical context woven throughout. Following two timelines focused on "Civil Rights and Black Power, 1954-1968" and "Black Lives Matter, 2012-2020," the book's second half looks at "What Is Systemic Racism," professional athletes as activists, protest songs (including two playlists: "Throwback Protest Playlist 1939 to 1993" and "Black Lives Matter Playlist 2014-2020"), protest art, "Who's Who at a Protest," youth activists, and interviews with BLM leaders. A reading list, selected bibliography, and index are appended. (c) Copyright 2023. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An explanatory lesson about the historical protests of June 2020 and what led up to them. Basing their account heavily on firsthand accounts of various Black Lives Matter leaders and New York Times reporters, the authors explore the origins of the movement and the impact it has had along with the historical events that its leaders built it upon. Beginning with how BLM founders Opal Tometi, Patrisse Cullors, and Alicia Garza came separately to activism and then together in 2013 via a Black leadership network, they tell the stories of victims such as Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and George Floyd in the context of the roles they played in the movement's development. The second half delves deeper into history with discussions of systemic racism and comparisons to the civil rights and Black Power movements, allowing readers to clearly identify parallels to the impact on Black Americans today. The roles played by athletes, musicians, and artists may inspire readers to find their unique paths to activism. The authors write with clarity and honesty, holding back no truths, but with language that makes the book accessible to preteen readers and adults alike. A logical progression of chapters punctuated by informational breakouts and concise paragraphs accompanied by photographs on each page make for a clean layout and easy reading. An educational introduction for young readers and a comprehensive primer for adults. (authors' note, further reading, photo credits, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 11-adult) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
