(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Charly Palmer. In a reverent celebration of African American music, Alexander's lyrical free-verse text flows through different eras and genres of sound. This musical tour begins in Africa: "Listen to the fireside chorus / of the motherland / to the talking drums / dancing beneath the golden sun / that beat a bold tapestry / of yesterday's stories / and tomorrow's dreams." From there, the exploration honors the hymns and hopes of enslaved people, gospel music ("Listen to the Amazing Grace / of the Jubilee Singers / to the joyful noise / of Sunday morning gospel / and Let the Church Say /Amen. Amen. HALLELUJAH!"), the blues, jazz, soul, rock and roll, hip-hop, and rap. Palmer's vibrant double-page acrylic paintings burst with color and movement, making a rewarding connection to the music; the full-bleed images are rich with resonance and meaning. Extensive end notes provide helpful information about the musical history, artists and movements, and cultural connections alluded to in both the text and the illustrations. A stunning homage to "the soundtrack of America / a symphony / of refuge and redemption."

Reviewer: Pauletta Brown Bracy | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Jerry Craft. Two fifth graders vie to win their middle school’s annual creative storytelling contest. Both are already experienced storytellers: J illustrates books without words, and K writes stories without illustrations. In real life, Craft and Alexander have a lively friendly rivalry on display in social media posts and joint school visits, and this highly illustrated novel (cartoonlike black-and-white drawings appear throughout; final art unseen) is the perfect playground for their fictional ­counterparts—and for themselves, as both authors interject regularly with notes. Ever competitive, J and K try undermining each other’s chances for winning the contest by giving bad advice: draw with your nondominant hand, write what you don’t know, write in “sixth person.” Readers will soon suspect that J and K will join forces to write a book together, combining their talents, and indeed they enter the contest with their frog story collaboration, “Croak and Swagger: The Most Ribbiting Story Ever Told.” The culminating award ceremony, related with suspense and humor, isn’t the final word. Not only are readers told “To Be Continued…” but Craft and Alexander also offer “more fun…with this QR code” and write each other’s author bios with more of their trash talk.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(2) 4-6 Atkins (Hidden Powers, rev. 5/22, and others) continues uncovering stories of real women of science who have made unsung contributions to their fields. Here, her focus is on (Mary) Agnes Chase (1869–1963), who rose to the position of senior botanist at the ­Smithsonian Institution despite receiving no formal education beyond eighth grade; and Marguerite Thomas Williams (1895–1991), the first African American to earn a PhD in geology. This novel in verse goes back and forth between the two women as their childhoods and early schooling set the stage for their fascination with rocks, rivers, grasses, and nature. Atkins weaves together important historical details with spare, lyrical verse that is descriptive and illuminating: “Once they were girls whose dreams, / dark and rich as good earth, / were invisible even to them.” We learn of their struggles and their hard-won successes, as both women uplift those who come after them and will inspire young readers today. Helpful back matter includes an author’s note, a timeline of major events in each woman’s life, and short biographical entries that serve as a “who’s who” of the scientists and artists in their respective circles.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(2) 4-6 Banks weaves mystery, history, and heart into a fast-paced adventure. Twelve-year-old Zeus is the only one who still believes in his grandfather’s incredible stories about the Harlem Renaissance, including tales of a legendary magazine called Burn!!! and a lost ancestor and hidden treasure. When Zeus stumbles upon a page from Burn!!! stashed in a toaster, and his grandfather mysteriously disappears, the lines between myth and reality blur. Zeus and his friends are thrust into a high-stakes race, following a treasure map filled with riddles, clues, and long-buried secrets. The narrative does an excellent job connecting young readers to important elements of Black history and the Harlem Renaissance, while puzzles and surprises add an interactive element. Beyond the action and mystery, the story explores themes of family, identity, and the power of legacy in shaping the future. As readers cheer for Zeus as he navigates the dangers and discoveries that come with chasing a legend, they will be delighted by engaging characters, an irresistible plot, and a breathtaking cliffhanger ending.

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(2) YA Sixteen-year-old Cooper King has always tried to follow his father's admonition to avoid political protests for his own safety. But then a schoolmate is shot by the police, and Jason, who is like a big brother to him, plans to loot a high-end fashion boutique during a peaceful protest against racist police violence: "Every time they take one of ours, it's tax season...I'll use that bread to build up the neighborhood, on some real Robin Hood type shit." Cooper is caught between his father's advice and wanting to help the cause. He decides to join Jason in robbing the store—but then shots are fired, a woman is dead, and Jason is arrested for murder. His younger sister, Monique, collaborates with Cooper to find the real culprit and free her brother, but Cooper doesn't tell Monique of his own involvement, even as their friendship turns increasingly romantic. Tension escalates during their sleuthing as they encounter "dirty cops, double agents, [and] confidential informants." As he did in Promise Boys (rev. 1/23), Brooks writes with easily readable prose, abundant dialogue, multiple points of view, and astute social commentary, artfully constructing a complex murder mystery that will engage and involve readers.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2025

(3) YA Adapted by Yohuru Williams. Also adapted by Michael G. Long. This biography of Martin Luther King Jr., adapted from the book of the same name for adult readers, focuses almost exclusively on his leadership of the fight for civil rights. It provides a thorough and sobering view into the political and social unrest that drove the movement as well as a complex portrait of a man who was considered controversial in his time. Black-and-white photos are included; appended resources include “Extra Facts,” discussion questions, a timeline, and an index.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(2) YA In this “brother novel” to The Skin I’m In and The Life I’m In (rev. 3/21), Flake explores the connection between fathers and sons. John-John McIntyre and his best friend, Caleb, enjoy archery, Star Wars, and puzzles: “geeky nerd stuff,” as he puts it. John-John imagines that his father wishes he had a different son—Big John always talks about how popular he was with girls when he was in high school and how John-John needs to toughen up and start dating. He wishes his dad were more like Caleb’s father; even though Mr. P. hasn’t been the same since he suffered a brain aneurysm, he still listens to and respects Caleb. When John-John tries to live up to his father’s expectations, he finds himself saying and doing things that get him in trouble with his friends and at home. As with Flake’s previous books, readers will be able to relate to the struggles many young people face when they don’t fit their family’s perceived ideal.

Reviewer: Nicholl Denice Montgomery | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Gordon C. James. Few writers have commanded the English language like James Baldwin (1924-1987). As a child in Harlem, Jimmy was expected to care for his eight siblings while his mother did domestic work. He endured a domineering stepfather, bullying, racism, and police violence. All the while, he escaped through the world of words and books. He eventually moved to France, where he used his pen to reconcile his experiences as a Black man in the United States. The result was his first novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain, which sparked a successful literary career. Harris lyrically narrates Baldwin's childhood and his pathway to becoming a published author, highlighting how reading captivated him at a young age ("in the library, Jimmy could hear the books singing to him") and capturing the essence of a man whose literature still resonates today. James's oil on board illustrations are resplendent in rich jewel tones, with double-page spreads that are at times reminiscent of impressionist paintings. The delight of the library stacks, the fervor of Sunday service, the solitude on a hill in Central Park are all lavishly rendered. This is a beautiful tribute to Baldwin and the book that ignited his career. Back matter includes more information about Baldwin and a list of select sources, along with author and illustrator notes. Pair with Meadows and Law's Jimmy's Rhythm and Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin (rev. 3/24).

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(1) K-3 Illustrated by London Ladd. Hudson introduces young readers to the African American spiritual through descriptions of a young girl's emotions and associations accompanied by relevant spiritual verses. "When I hear spirituals, / They make me proud / To think of the strength / Our people have always had" is matched with an excerpt from the spiritual "Oh, Freedom," while the art shows enslaved people engaging in a historical uprising. As the girl remembers the civil rights movement, the text reads, "When I hear spirituals, / ...I sing with freedom fighters / I stand straight-shouldered with ancestors," and is accompanied by a chorus from "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho" and a painting of a civil rights march. Other images include a church congregation, praise dancers, a riverbank baptism, and a train heading north during the Great Migration ("Get on board, little children"). Hudson's illuminating text and Ladd's expressive double-page spreads rendered in acrylic, colored pencil, and cut paper capture each aspect of the spirituals devoutly and respectfully. Extensive back matter includes an author's note, a glossary, and a list of resources.

Reviewer: Pauletta Brown Bracy | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2035

(2) Illustrated by Diana Ejaita. James introduces young readers to the life and work of Myra Viola Wilds (1875-1935), a Black woman who became a renowned dress designer and dressmaker, and then an acclaimed poet. Wilds's life unfolds via James's loose quatrains, often using off-rhymes, that sketch her story in broad strokes -- her beginnings in rural Kentucky, her success as a dressmaker and the subsequent loss of her sight, and her creativity then taking the form of writing poetry. The language of James's poems echoes Wilds's own, with a focus on the thoughts and dreams that empowered her. Bold and color-drenched illustrations propel the story forward, through expansive images echoing the vivid collage work of Matisse, with the added texture of chalk or fabric or paint. A central figure -- a woman in profile cut from black or brown paper -- is the focus, but details of birds, flowers, and geometric swirls add dimension. An endnote provides further biographical information; an archival photograph of Wilds and her poem "Dewdrops" conclude the book.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Ken Daley. On a Saturday morning, a young Black boy’s mother drops him off at the barbershop. Eager for the outing, the boy narrates the lively rituals of the Black men and neighborhood sons who gather there. Amid laughter, music, games, peddling, and storytelling, the barbershop serves as a hub for community, entertainment, oral tradition, and wisdom. Prismatic digital illustrations capture the barbershop's dynamic, multi-purpose nature, making this ode to Black barbershop culture truly shine.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) YA Born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925, Malcolm grew up hearing about Black nationalism and Black self-reliance. His early years were trauma-filled; while in prison in his twenties, Malcolm was introduced to books and to the Nation of Islam, and he credits both with saving his life. Kendi intertwines Malcolm’s story with historical background and contemporary issues to help young readers see the connections between past and present. Accompanying photos, letters, and other archival reproductions are used to create a fuller picture of Malcolm X for middle-grade and middle-school readers.

Reviewer: Nicholl Denice Montgomery

(3) K-3 Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. This nonfiction picture book (likely with invented dialogue) begins with the first White House Passover Seder, in 2011, and then flashes back to the new tradition’s origins on Barack Obama’s campaign trail the previous year, when Jewish staff members missed their family Seders. The (somewhat lengthy) text presents Passover and the biblical Exodus story accessibly and makes connections to Obama and earlier civil rights figures. Varied perspectives in the watercolor illustrations add visual interest. Back matter gives more information about the first White House Seder.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(2) 4-6 In this historical novel in verse, fifth grader Cooper Dale is growing up near Pittsburgh in 1963 and grappling with issues concerning her identity as a Black child attending a predominantly white school. While her family encourages her to embrace who she is, Cooper doesn't always feel that way: "Sometimes / I don't want to be black." Mama tells her that she has to "study harder" and "shine brighter" in school due to racism. Wade Carter, a racist classroom bully, makes things even harder, calling Cooper "Mud Face" and "Tar Baby." Things get worse when Cooper's mom takes a job as the Carters' maid. At first, this is just another thing for Wade to lord over her, but it ends up being the impetus for Cooper to see her tormentor in a new light and for him to change his behavior. Wade's mom is seriously ill, and once she learns this, Cooper slowly begins to feel compassion for him and fully embraces Mama's call to "be radiant" along with their church's beliefs about mercy. Nelson has created a likable character in Cooper, and this quiet, introspective novel (with some moments of levity; e.g., Cooper's embrace of Beatlemania) effectively examines what it means to forgive along with the importance of family.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Daniel Minter. Toni Morrison (1931-2019), a gifted student, was the only Black girl in her Lorain, Ohio, first-grade class. She grew up to be a trailblazing book editor and a Pulitzer- and Nobel Prize-winning author who stands as a giant in the pantheon of literary greats, all while navigating the world as a Black woman. Pinkney honors her legacy with a sophisticated narrative ode in verse. Weaving biographical moments together with exaltation and admiration ("Oh, Toni Morrison, / you liberate all of us. / You -- let us breathe"), Pinkney conveys not only a life dedicated to the artistry of the written word but also the woman behind the pen. Minter, who uses mixed media that includes hand-painting, acrylic, and digital techniques, says in an appended note that he framed the work as a "praise poem." The art is awash in saturated tones and bold, almost oversized renderings of Morrison that become transcendent with the intricate white lines that are meticulously included on every page. Each spread is full of beauty, depth, and movement honoring one whose life's work amounts to a love letter to Black people. Back matter includes statements from the author and artist, biographical timelines, and a list of Morrison's selected works. Pair with Weatherford and Thompson's A Crown of Stories: The Life and Language of Beloved Writer Toni Morrison (rev. 5/24).

Reviewer: Monique Harris | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Tonya Engel. President Barack Obama's path through life has been anything but linear. This picture-book biography in verse relates how "Barry" (as he was known in childhood), who was born to a white woman from Kansas and a Black Kenyan father, began to explore his racial identity at an early age. He increasingly felt like an outsider as he moved from Hawaii to Indonesia and back again. In early adulthood, he spent time in big cities on the U.S. mainland ("I came home in Chicago") and, realizing that his unique background was an asset to the community, began to organize, which led to the start of his political career. Chronicling his personal life, political rise, and presidency in a style both poetic and informative, Rappaport offers a narrative that emphasizes themes of community and perseverance. Engel's paintings effectively complement the text, with dynamic colors capturing the energy of Obama's journey. Select quotes about both his political and personal achievements, peppered throughout the text, add richness. With a detailed timeline and bibliography, this is a strong narrative that is equal parts biography and tribute to a man who discovered that his uniqueness was precisely what qualified him to serve others.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) 4-6 In this coming-of-age Western, twelve-year-old Will Samuels and his father, a stoic, formerly enslaved man, leave their sharecropper home in Texas for the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889. Along the way, they encounter Caesar, a Black former Union officer who makes the journey with them. The group encounters perils such as wild animals, gunslingers, and, most dangerous of all, former Confederate soldiers who are still fighting the war. Will and Father grow closer during the brutal trek. Eventually, circumstances force Will to show leadership and bravery to help his family lay claim to land. Rhodes's storytelling is at its strongest during times of high drama, such as when Caesar is shot and when the trio traverses the treacherous Red River. The writing isn't quite as successful during quieter moments, and the use of relatively modern terms such as "Black" and "enslaved" is a bit jarring in a historical novel. Still, readers who love adventure will find much to enjoy here, and the book would pair well with Cline-Ransome's One Big Open Sky (rev. 3/24). An afterword addresses how the land rush was made possible by the subjugation of Indigenous people and links this fictional story with the Tulsa Race Massacre that saw racist whites kill successful Black residents, many of whose families participated in the 1889 land rush.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) YA This third book in the trilogy (Dear Martin, rev. 11/17; Dear Justyce, rev. 11/20) begins by bringing readers back to the moment Jared (who is white) receives the call that his best friend, Manny (who was Black), has been shot and killed. The novel then fast-forwards to when Jared, now a rising junior in college, decides to run for Junior Class Council president against John Preston LePlante IV. Like Jared, John is a legacy at their prestigious Connecticut university. Unlike Jared, John believes that the institution needs to reclaim its "founding standards and traditions"; he supports legacy admissions and the end of affirmative action. Jared knows that he must beat LePlante if change is going to happen. When another candidate, young Black woman Dylan M. Coleman, appears on the ballot, Jared starts to doubt his decision to run, for reasons including a secret from his past. Based on his friend Justyce's advice to keep a "journal of letters to someone who can't respond," Jared begins to write letters to Manny. Through third-person narration and Jared's letters, we learn about the challenges Jared faces as he attempts to reexamine his privilege and do what is right for all the students at their school. As in the previous installments, Stone again deals thoughtfully with issues that are relevant to teens today.

Reviewer: Nicholl Denice Montgomery | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2025

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Eleanor Davis. Ella Jenkins (1924–2024) longed to make music from the time she was a little girl growing up in the segregated Bronzeville community of Chicago. "Ella is a South Side girl, a Bronzeville bird, skipping in streets that smell of sweets and black-eyed peas." In this engaging picture-book biography, Todd writes lyrically about the girl who would become a celebrated musician and release more than sixty albums for children. Ella was surrounded by music and rhythm throughout her childhood, whether it was the choirs she heard at local churches, "recess rhymes," or her uncle Flood's "silver slip" (harmonica). She was also introduced to world music through record stores and saw artists such as Cab Calloway and Louis Armstrong perform. After high school, she moved to San Francisco, where she lived in an integrated community for the first time and was exposed to new forms of music. She went to college, became a teacher, and learned to play the conga drums. Upon returning to Chicago, she participated in civil rights protests and continued to teach before becoming a full-time musician. Davis's digital illustrations, with lots of rich, saturated colors, are detailed and energetic. Double-page spreads on black backgrounds with pops of yellow musical notes and stylized stars showcase musicians and dancers, capturing the excitement and joy of live performances. Gatefolds at the back of the book contain an author's note and additional information about Jenkins. Front and back endpapers feature a timeline of her life. A selected bibliography is appended.

Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2025

(2) PS Illustrated by Alea Marley. This is a picture book tailor-made for storytime: Weatherford’s succinct first-person text makes great use of repetition, as well as end rhymes that beg for children’s voices to complete. Well-paced page-turns at the line breaks in each sentence heighten anticipation at each beat in the rhythm. The book’s first lines read: “When I swim, / I become a fish. / When I jump, / I become a wish.” Marley’s illustrations follow the text, moving from a concrete depiction of a Black girl swimming at the shore with a parent to a more imaginative depiction of her swimming underwater with outlined fish sketched around her; showing the same child jumping at the park, then against a fantastical background of stars and foliage as she leaps through the air, no ground visible beneath her feet. The style combines the retro feel of art by Gyo Fujikawa or Aliki with a contemporary flair. Words and pictures combine to embrace the whole child, moving her body and moving through life—outdoors, inside, at home, at school. The repeating pattern of the refrain (“When I..., / I become...”) infuses the narration with possibility, and pictures meet that voice to present a confident, capable, joyful, creative Black girl, self-assured and in community with others. Celebratory and, yes, moving.

Reviewer: Megan Dowd Lambert | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025