Review by Booklist Review
This picture book celebrates Rolle's 2004 poem "Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem." The first line takes readers back to June 19, 1865: "The news arrived in Galveston: / The war is over!" As Rolle describes how formerly enslaved people responded to emancipation, her effortless lines flow with a soft, steady cadence: "After 300 years of forced bondage, / hands bound, descendants of Africa / picked up their souls--all that they owned-- / leaving shackles where they fell on the ground, / headed for the nearest resting place to be found." The soulful illustrations in a muted palette align seamlessly, portraying events in a dignified, momentous style. In her author's note, Rolle acknowledges that there is no official ending date for slavery, and that many individuals remained enslaved long after the Emancipation Proclamation. She also explains how Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, became the symbolic representation of freedom and how her poem is linked to the annual celebration. These lyrical verses are perfect for reading out loud, and the full-page illustrations will be easy to share. This lovely offering serves as powerful affirmation: "Wherever they went alone or abreast / at the end of their journey, they cried, / 'I've done my best.'"
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Kincaid Rolle and Bostic's foray into Juneteenth's history opens without preamble, centering the enslaved Black residents of Galveston, Tex., as news of freedom arrives via the Emancipation Proclamation: "ALL WHO LIVE IN BONDAGE/ HERE SHALL FROM/ NOW UNTIL/ BE FREE." Realistic oil illustrations depict portraits and landscapes in the time and place, while sometimes-rhyming text traces individual reactions: "after 300 years of forced bondage,/ hands bound," some people rest, while others sing and dance, give thanks, and decide whether to stay or go elsewhere. Soon, images transition to show a contemporary America, where children "of the ones who were held.../ celebrate the day their forebears could shout/ 'FREE AT LAST!' " A largely earth-toned color palette distinguishes Bostic's art, which tenderly portrays brown-skinned characters' detailed facial expressions across environments and generations. Together, the creators emphasize the value of freedom embodied by the "symbolic holiday." A contextualizing author's note concludes. Ages 4--8. (May)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--4--Juneteenth, an important celebration of the end of slavery, was first celebrated in Texas in 1865. This was several years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, when enslaved individuals learned of their freedom. Rolle's poem offers glimpses of the joy of freedom, the hardships of the years after, and how Juneteenth has evolved over time. Many lines directly quote the Emancipation Proclamation, such as "All who live in bondage here shall from now until be free." Spreads give more context to the meaning behind the freedom Juneteenth celebrates through depictions of formerly enslaved individuals moving forward and finally celebrating in modern times with friends and family. Some sections of the poem rhyme, and some read more like free verse. The poem has an overall lyrical feel that evokes a range of emotions, from sadness for the realities of the many hardships still faced right after emancipation, to the hope and resilience of newfound freedom. Each stanza is paired with gorgeous and warm artwork that complements the text. In the author's note, Rolle includes more of the history behind Juneteenth, which only became recognized as a national holiday in 2021. This book presents historical moments in an accessible way, through artwork and poetry. VERDICT A worthy purchase for elementary libraries needing nonfiction texts for the Juneteenth holiday.--Molly Dettman
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A noteworthy tribute to Juneteenth. Bostic's exquisite oil paintings, rich with warm hues, pair beautifully with Rolle's free-verse poem to pay tribute to a celebration long relegated to the shadows of American history. This picture book stands as a marvelous tribute to the enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, who listened to the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865. It honors the Black families who stayed in Texas and those who tried to find solace as far away as they could. The book also highlights the lasting legacy of Juneteenth, noting that "in towns from sea to sea," the ancestors of enslaved Black people continue to celebrate the anniversary of freedom from slavery and pass down the history and traditions of the holiday. Rolle lauds everyone who pays homage to the monumental day. In her closing author's note, she describes how her Juneteenth poem came to fruition and the Texan roots of the globally impactful holiday. Fans of Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre (2021) by Carole Boston Weatherford and Floyd Cooper and The Undefeated (2019) by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson will enjoy this book. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A profound memorial to the suffering, strength, and stories of Black Americans. (Picture book. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
