Black boy, rise

Gr 1--4--This book is a stirring and powerful celebration of Black boyhood with lyrical, rhythmic text and stunning watercolor illustrations. Readers are invited to experience the depth, beauty, and potential of young Black boys. The author's words, inspired by the legacies of Langston Hughes, Lucille Clifton, and W.E.B. Du Bois echo with pride, resilience, and a call for greatness, celebrating both the legacy of the past and the promise of the future. The rich, colorful artwork captures emotions in the complexity of Black boyhood with grace and dignity. This book is a vital addition to any library collection. It offers a profound counternarrative to the still pervasive, often limiting portrayals of Black boys in media and literature, providing a space for them to see themselves as strong, worthy, and full of possibility. In its empowering, joyful depictions of Black experiences, this book inspires, uplifts, and affirms the beauty of Black boyhood. VERDICT For public libraries, this book is an essential resource to celebrate diversity, promote positive representation, and engage readers in meaningful conversations about identity, joy, and the power of self-belief.--Susan McClellan

A tribute to Black boyhood and Langston Hughes' poetry. As a child scales a jungle gym, an unseen narrator asks who told him he could leap, climb, or laugh. "Get out of thoseclouds. / Don't set your sights so high." Intertextual references to Hughes' poems punctuate the verse, but the narrator tells the boy that Hughes' exhortations weren't meant for him. He should stick to dribbling, dunking, and tackling; he should stay quiet, "headdown." After telling the boy what he can't or shouldn't do and be--echoing mainstream American society's treatment of Black boys--the narrative voice turns more uplifting, telling the boy that he's a delight to his ancestors. Collier's rich, moving collage illustrations emphasize the boy's active nature while also depicting him as the culmination of generations of struggle. Four African women, each holding a pineapple (symbols of welcome), stand at the threshold of their respective homes, and the faces of Black adults--perhaps ancestors or guardians--appear on the trunk of the tree the boy climbs. Translucent blue marbles float on several double-page spreads, suggesting the power of the boy's imagination. Collier's luscious illustrations will appeal to readers, but the negative beginning may confuse them, while the frequent allusions to texts that most children will be unfamiliar with will limit their interest in this book. The verse is too lofty for its young audience, though the visuals offer a uniquely gorgeous portrayal of Black boy joy.(Picture book. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.