Black Girl Rising

K-Gr 3--Lyrical, timely, and marvelously illustrated, this work extols the beauty, bravery, and possibilities of young black girls. The author explores strong role models, female and male, from the past to inspire readers to envision the prospects of a glorious future. Using first names, known works, or a likeness provided by the illustrator, famous people are referenced in an enigmatic manner. Young readers may recognize the use of a single name to refer to Maya Angelou, Serena Williams, and Langston Hughes. However, the references to Nikki Giovanni, Toni Morrison, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others are not necessarily as obvious. Thus, elementary students may not understand the connections the author is trying to make between the historical references of strong Black voices in the past and the impact they have on encouraging the creativity and contributions that are currently possible to today's generation. A long banner in the Pride colors flows and unfurls across three spreads and poignantly, with sort of withered scorched ends. Here and elsewhere, the book's lettering is an integral part of the manuscript, with flowing lines and occasional words in boldface. The advanced reading level, implied social commentary, and absence of a specific story line may make it difficult for this book to find an audience at the elementary level. However, the rich vocabulary, flowing narrative, and specific word emphasis does encourage exuberant read-alouds. VERDICT With its prevailing theme of empowerment, this book could be used in a slightly older language arts class, as part of a history class research project, or as content for competitive oratorical contests.--Lynne Stover

In this ode to Black girls' inherent worth, the creators hold up a mirror to the ways that Black girls are silenced and second-guessed, building to an invitation to "Take wing--// and ignite." Employing references to notable Black figures (Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes) through-out, Barnes (Books Do Not Have Wings) begins with conversational lines that speak to oppressive societal messages: "Now don't you dare climb, climb, climb/ Langston's crystal stair./ You ain't gonna make it, girl./ Come, get down from there." These eventually give way to powerful refuting lines: "You are a thousand curls unfurling in your hair./ You are a thousand fists standing proudly in air.// You are the song of swallows, lifting sun as they sing--/ breaking light with their beaks." Fazlalizadeh (Libba) combines acrylic and oil paint to create tableaux of Black girls of varying shades, hair textures, and abilities, showing ballerinas, poets, musicians, and tennis players against saturated backdrops featuring a motif of swallows taking flight. Though initial lines may prove confusing without context ("Who do you think you are now, girl"; "You're supposed to run and hide"), the creators offer a passionate, legacy-focused celebration. Ages 5-8. Author's agent: Deborah Warren, East West Literary. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (June)