A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks

people who shaped our world

by Alice Faye Duncan, Xia Gordon (Illustrations)

“A stirring, accessible introduction to Gwendolyn Brooks and a must-have for all elementary collections.” — School Library Journal (Starred review)
“The combination of biography and Brooks' own poems makes for a strong, useful, and beautiful text . . . A solid introduction to a brilliant writer”— Kirkus .

Acclaimed writer Alice Faye Duncan tells the story of poet Gwendolyn Brooks, the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize.

SING a song for Gwendolyn Brooks.
Sing it loud—a Chicago blues .
 
With a voice both wise and witty, Gwendolyn Brooks crafted poems that captured the urban Black experience and the role of women in society. She grew up on the South Side of Chicago, reading and writing constantly from a young age, her talent lovingly nurtured by her parents. Brooks ultimately published 20 books of poetry, two autobiographies, and one novel. Alice Faye Duncan has created her own song to celebrate Gwendolyn’s life and work, illuminating the tireless struggle of revision and the sweet reward of success.

Included on the Chicago Public Libraries list of Best Informational Books for Young Readers.

Genres: Poetry, Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction, African American, History, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Gary Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Faye Duncan’s A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks is a spirited tribute to one of the greatest American poets of the 20th Century. Duncan’s lines do, in fact, have musical qualities that tickle the ear with their alliteration, rhymes, rhythms, and wordplay even as they evoke phrases and images from Miss Brooks’s own poems. (I was privileged to know Gwendolyn Brooks a little bit. I’ve always referred to her as Miss Brooks, and I can’t call her anything else here.) Several of Miss Brooks’s poems are included, some written when she was a young schoolgirl. These are welcome complements to Duncan’s “song,” and if read aloud are likely to spark creative impulses in young readers. One possible exception is a sonnet written by Miss Brooks in 1949; this piece strikes me as inaccessible to a typical picture book audience, although I could be wrong about that.

Xia Gordon’s artwork is striking in places. Conveyed in mostly dark browns and rusty tans, the images show Miss Brooks first as a child, and then growing into adulthood. The most impactful page spreads are those where Miss Brooks or her family members are involved in something dramatic. In these plot points, Gordon shows the characters from intriguing angles or against unusual backdrops. I love the warm portrait of Miss Brooks on the title page, but the drawings of her face within the book confused me as they seem to change significantly from page to page. All in all, I think more vivid coloration would have better captured the essence of Gwendolyn Brooks, although these pictures are appropriate accompaniments to Duncan’s text.

The back matter includes a serviceable author’s note, timeline, and bibliography. The bibliography probably should have included Gwendolyn Brooks’s collection Children Coming Home (The David Company, 1991) because of its appeal to young readers.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this beautifully illustrated picture book for older readers, author Alice Faye Duncan celebrates the life of poet Gwendolyn Brooks from 1925 to to 1950. In 1925, at only 8 years old, Gwendolyn was already writing down the rhymes she first created in her head. Many of her rhymes came from standing alone, watching the other kids playing, and the people in her neighborhood going able their business. Her parents realized early on that Gwen was an unusually talented poets and allowed her to skip chores, giving her time to sit on the backyard porch and listen to the sounds of her neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.


Sometimes, when her poems disappointed her or she doubted her ability as a poet, Gwen would bury what she had written under a backyard bush. Then, one day, she was accused of plagiarism by her teacher. After reading the note the teacher sent home, Mrs. Brooks took on the teacher and together mother and daughter proved her wrong - Gwendolyn Brooks wrote an original poem on the spot:

Forgive and Forget by Gwendolyn Brooks 1928 (age 11)

If others neglect you,
Forget, do not sigh,
For, after all, they'll select you
In times by and by.
If their taunts cut and hurt you,
They are sure to regret.
And if in time, they desert you ,
Forgive and forget.

Point made, don't you think?

Even during the Depression years, teenaged Gwen was allowed to sit and think instead of going out to find work like the kids around her had to do. But Gwen worked hard on her poetry, learning to really love words. Her parents believed she was gifted and so did The Chicago Defender, Chicago's African American newspaper, who published her poems. Soon, Gwendolyn's poems are being published in books and then in 1950, she was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for her poetry. What an honor and celebration of the child Mr. and Mrs. Brooks had nurtured because they had so much faith in her.

A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks is a beautiful introduction to the life of this great poet that includes not only the author's lyrical text (set off by Roman numerals), but also includes some of the poems Gwen wrote in her youth. This book will leave no doubt that author Alice Faye Duncan is a fan of Gwen's poetry as evidenced in her loving portrayal of the poet. Duncan has really captured her parent's pride in their daughter, and luckily for us, they allowed her to explore and develop her talent.

The text is complimented by Xia Gordon's bold illustrations done in bright pinks, soft purples as well as gold and brown earth tones add to the celebration of Gwendolyn Brooks' life and poetry.

This book is recommended for readers age 7+
This book was provided to my by the publisher, Sterling Children's Books

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

For young readers who do not know of Gwendolyn Brooks, who do not know she was the first black writer who won the Pulitzer Prize, who do not know how her passion for words guided her from a very early age, this is a marvelous introduction to her. In an array of pink to brown tones created by Xia Gordon, Alice Faye Duncan (writer of "Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop") writes her own free verse poetry about Gwendolyn and includes some of Gwendolyn's poems, too. Those poems are numbered by Roman numerals, I through X. In school, this poet was already watching and listening, as writers do, and wrote her first poem at age seven, in 1924. Each part begins with the title challenge to "sing a song for Gwendolyn Brooks", as important parts of her life are told. Kids play, "They boast and bully./They 'signify'", but she stands alone. She lives on Chicago's South Side, can be found sitting on the stoop of their building, always watching. The story tells how much her parents support her, let her out of chores so she can write. Her mother takes her hand to march off to school to confront the teacher who has accused her of plagiarism. She sits right down and writes a terrific, most apt, poem titled "Forgive and Forget". From research, Gordon shows how much Gwendolyn cares about the words, the "right" words as draft after draft is written/re-written. She joins a group of black writers who study the great poets like with a poetry teacher. She falls in love with the right man who also supports her work, and they rent two rooms where she continues to write. They have two children; Gwen has already published books, is very popular, and is awarded the Pulitzer Prize in between the births of those children. She shines, as her parents have long known! And this biography does, too, a loving introduction to this famous poet.
There is an author's note, a timeline, suggested readings and a bibliography in the back matter. Gwendolyn Brooks was the 29th poet laureate of the Library of Congress, continued to earn award honors until her death in 2000. You may know her most anthologized poem, "We Real Cool".

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I so want to like this book more than I do. I want it to be more than it is. Overall, I'm not sure how much knowledge a child reading this would actually walk away with. Gwendolyn Brooks is brilliant and I'm not sure this really does her justice.

[Rachel Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gwendolyn Brooks is one of my favorite poets, so I was eager to read this picture book biography of her. I can tell that the book was intended to be written as Brooks wrote her poetry, but I felt like it wasn't executed well. On some spreads there is a poem that Brooks wrote, the text of the story in verse, and the text of the story in prose; however, the fonts are so similar, it is hard to discern which is which. I can see this being confusing for young readers. I wish the fonts were more distinguished from one another. There is some of her poetry in the first half of the book, but not in the second half. All in all, I found it very hard to follow, and although it followed some of the events of Brooks' life, it doesn't ever talk about what her poetry was about or why her poetry was so important.

[Lara Lleverino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gwendolyn Brooks is certainly worth reading about and her poetry is beautiful but the author of this picture book biography tried imitating her style and it totally fell flat. I also was not a big fan of the rather flat illustrations.

[Carol Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before today you may not have heard of Gwendolyn Brooks. She won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1950 making her the first African American to win a Pulitzer. Fittingly, Ms. Duncan chose to celebrate Ms. Brooks work by writing her biography in verse and interspersing it with Brooks' own poetry.

The year is 1925. Gwendolyn Brooks is eight years old.

Gray bursts of smoke hide the yellow sun.
Can flowers grow without sunlight?
Gwendolyn leans on the front yard gate.
Gwendolyn is unsure.
As a young girl, Gwendolyn translates her observations and thoughts into poetry.

Her parents encourage her writing but a teacher accuses her of plagiarizing her poems. Her teacher retracts her charge, but Gwendolyn is angry and pens a poem which ends up being prophetic:

FORGIVE AND FORGET
If others neglect you,
Forget, do not sigh.
For, after all, they'll select you
In times by and by.
If their taunts cut and hurt you,
They are sure to regret
And if in time, they desert you
Be sure to forgive and forget. (Gwendolyn Brooks, 1928)

Her parents recognize her talent and give her time to develop her talent; her poems are published in The Chicago Defender. Gwendolyn writes, revises, studies, and wins prizes for her poetry. She marries Henry, has a son they name Junior, and writes.

SING a song for Gwendolyn Brooks
She whittles her sonnets with perfect grace.
Like Edna St. Vincent Millay and Robert Frost.
Gwen paints poems with paintbrush words
And Gwen takes home a Pulitzer Prize.

This is a great curriculum resource for pre-school through middle school as students study African American history and poetry.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag tribute to the late Gwendolyn Brooks, which is too bad because Brooks is such a wonderful writer and there is precious little about her life available for children.

Duncan tells the story of Brooks' life through different poetic forms. She includes several of Brooks' poems for good measure.

Xia Gordon's digital artwork is adequate, at best. It is fuzzy, indistinct, and lies flat on the page. There is little depth of field, a limited color palette of browns, golds, purples, and red. Not my cup of tea.

One of the biggest shortcomings of this book is a lack of differentiation of font between the poetry of Brooks and that of Duncan. During my first reading, the text came across as very uneven. Some of the poetry sparkled, other poems did not. I realized during my second reading that the poems that sparkled were written by Brooks.

Backmatter includes an author's note with more information about Brooks and her time, a timeline, suggested readings by Brooks and a bibliography of materials used.

Optional for grades 3-8.

[RaiseThemRighteous · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://raisethemrighteous.com/2018/1...

Alice Faye Duncan’s A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks recounts Brooks’ life in carefully crafted verses and introduces readers to Brooks’ own work through sensitively selected poems. Xia Gordon’s evocative images pair well with the text, creating a meditative mood with pictures that at times appear to glow. The brightness of Gordon’s illustrations magnifies the light of Brooks’ words and Duncan’s remarkable tribute to them.

Readers are introduced to Brooks as an 8-year-old girl squatting next to a flower as she ponders if it can grow without sunlight. Brooks herself did not have to grow without sunlight, beamed on as she was by adoring parents, a message cleverly woven throughout the book in both image and text.

Duncan describes young Brooks as a little girl whose head is “filled with snappy rhymes.” She is depicted as ostracized by other children but loved fiercely within her home. In one vignette, a teacher accuses Brooks of plagiarizing and her furious mother rushes to the school in her defense. Brooks creates a beautiful poem on the spot to demonstrate that she “writes and speaks with the finest ease.”

As Brooks matures her parents continue to nourish her literary talent. They shield her from household chores and paid labor. As a result, Brooks “learns to labor for the love of words.” She perfects her drafts, publishes, joins a Black poetry group, enters poetry contests, wins poetry contests, eventually wins a Pulitzer Prize, and it is no longer a small circle of loved ones believing in her genius.

Family and poetry are the two foundations of Brooks’ life foregrounded in Duncan’s brilliant and accessible picture book. Importantly, Duncan does not weigh the text down with too much detail. She lets the story breath and encourages children and adults to continue their research. A detailed author’s note as well as a timeline provided at the end of the book offer readers information about Brooks’ commendable community involvement and place her work within the Black Arts Movement.

This picture book will be of interest to children who enjoy biographies, histories, and poetry. I highly recommend it for inclusion in school and home libraries. It is a beautifully told story of one of America’s finest poets.

*This book will be available January 1, 2019. I received a review copy from the author.

[Brina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every year I try to read a book of Gwendolyn Brooks’ poems on what I thought was her birthday. In some accounts, Brooks’ birthday is recorded as January 3 when it is actually June 7. I am not late at all, instead finishing up African American history month by reading Brooks’ words. She was the Illinois poet laureate for the last thirty two years of her life, and keeping her poems alive is the proper way to honor her. Sadly, I am running out of Brooks’ books available at my library, so I had to get creative this year, which I did with a new picture book for younger readers written by Alice Faye Duncan with illustrations by Xia Gordon. These two talented ladies brought Brooks to life for younger generations of readers and it is not to be missed.

Duncan writes a brief biography of Brooks’ life interspersed with the poet’s own words. They are set to Gordon’s illustrations that depict life on Chicago’s South Side during the span of the twentieth century. The Bronzeville neighborhood was Brooks’ muse, and Gordon’s color scheme captures the flow of the community perfectly. One could envision Gwendolyn Brooks reading and writing in such an environment. The centerpiece by Brooks is “the children of the poor- sonnet #2” originally published in 1949, leading to her Pulitzer winning Annie Allen, the first person of color to be honored.

Duncan’s Song for Gwendolyn Brooks touched all the right notes. I could put on jazz and feel like I am back in the big band era that was Brooks’ heyday after reading this short work of art. I needed something uplifting after my last book which left me in a gloomy mood. The only thing that would have been better would have been an entire collection of poetry by Gwendolyn Brooks, but beggars can’t be choosers. I will have to be more on top of my game next year so I can so honor Illinois’ long serving poet laureate with her own words.

4.5 stars

[Kristin Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for sharing an electronic version of this book for review.
As soon as I finished reading this book the first time, I wanted to go right back and read it again. Rarely do I feel the need to stop and savor the pages of picture books the way I did with A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks. The beauty of language was such a loving way to honor the poet.
Duncan includes some of Brooks' own work within the story of her childhood, and it is absolutely lovely to read the poems written by Brooks during the timeline Duncan describes.
The illustrations are stark and soft, simultaneously. Brooks' hardworking family and neighborhood are written with love.
What I loved most about this book was how Duncan perfectly illustrated the obstacles in the way of young Gwendolyn - a teacher's doubt that the work she submitted was her own, and the difficulty allowing her to follow her dream of writing was. During a time when every person in a household needed to contribute, her family sacrificed so that Gwendolyn could work on her writing daily.
I wanted to jump into Gwendolyn's world, it was so exquisitely portrayed.

[Christina Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life and creative work of the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize (May 1950) and the longtime Poet Laureate of Illinois (1968-2000), is gloriously celebrated in A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks by Alice Faye Duncan. It is written in nine free verse poems with Gwendolyn's poetry interspersed throughout.

This tribute follows the poet's life from her youth when the first ember of a dream to write was sparked, and it highlights her growth as she learns to "labor for the love of words" - drafting, revising, and rewriting. All the while her parents encouraged her and made room for Gwendolyn's gift to be fanned into a flame. Studying the work of other writers, honing her craft, and writing poems about life in Chicago.

I selected this book as one of my National Poetry Month reads but it can definitely be shared and enjoyed all year long. It includes an author's note and timeline that provides more details about the life of Gwendolyn Brooks. This book is noted as being for kindergarten through 3rd grade but I can certainly see it as a nice addition to 4th through 6th grade classrooms and libraries too.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poetically-written picture-book length biography of the African American Pulitzer-prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks with beautiful illustrations.

My favorite poems included in this text are one about a clock and one written about forgiving - both written when she was only 11 years old! But only 4 of her poems are included, which is a shame, as Duncan's stories of Brooks' life presented for each one helped me make connections between her life & her poetry, deepening my appreciation.

For example, the story says the poem Forgive and Forget was written after a teacher accused her of plagiarism - young people reading this will weave together the story of her parents' support, her teacher's hostility, her bravery facing the teacher, and the grace with which Brooks turned the situation into a poem.

I think it will be harder for young readers to make sense of the last poem "The children of the poor - Sonnet #2", which has the lines;
"...But who have begged me for a brisk contour,
Crying that they are quasi, contraband
Because unfinished, graven by a hand
Less than angelic, admirable or sure."

Nevertheless, it's an inspiring biography, and beautiful.

[Lisa Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Goodreads site:

“'A stirring, accessible introduction to Gwendolyn Brooks and a must-have for all elementary collections.' —School Library Journal (Starred review)
"'The combination of biography and Brooks' own poems makes for a strong, useful, and beautiful text . . . A solid introduction to a brilliant writer'—Kirkus."

"Acclaimed writer Alice Faye Duncan tells the story of poet Gwendolyn Brooks, the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize. With a voice both wise and witty, Gwendolyn Brooks crafted poems that captured the urban Black experience and the role of women in society. She grew up on the South Side of Chicago, reading and writing constantly from a young age, her talent lovingly nurtured by her parents. Brooks ultimately published 20 books of poetry, two autobiographies, and one novel. Alice Faye Duncan has created her own song to celebrate Gwendolyn’s life and work, illuminating the tireless struggle of revision and the sweet reward of success.

"Included on the Chicago Public Libraries list of Best Informational Books for Young Readers."

[Lisa Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Goodreads site:

“'A stirring, accessible introduction to Gwendolyn Brooks and a must-have for all elementary collections.' —School Library Journal (Starred review)
"'The combination of biography and Brooks' own poems makes for a strong, useful, and beautiful text . . . A solid introduction to a brilliant writer'—Kirkus."

"Acclaimed writer Alice Faye Duncan tells the story of poet Gwendolyn Brooks, the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize. With a voice both wise and witty, Gwendolyn Brooks crafted poems that captured the urban Black experience and the role of women in society. She grew up on the South Side of Chicago, reading and writing constantly from a young age, her talent lovingly nurtured by her parents. Brooks ultimately published 20 books of poetry, two autobiographies, and one novel. Alice Faye Duncan has created her own song to celebrate Gwendolyn’s life and work, illuminating the tireless struggle of revision and the sweet reward of success.

"Included on the Chicago Public Libraries list of Best Informational Books for Young Readers."

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sing a song for Gwendoly\n Brooks" is the ringing refrain throughout this picture book. It presents, in swingy poetic prose the life facts, circumstances, places and people of her life. Her parents were very aware of her gift, and accommodated it whenever she needed time to write! Not many parents do that. . .

Sprinkled throughout are gems from Gwendolyn, herself:

AMBITION

It hurts who much a lot to see the top --
And know you're at the base;
To know some power holds you back
And yet see glory's face!

But all true climbers know that they
Must rise by base degree.
And so they keep on climbing 'til
They find that they are --- free!
-- 1930-1933

The words and the artwork presented in this picture book is a praiseworthy, celebratory way to introduce poetry, the concept of practice, revision and repetition, and the importance of familial support and encouragement for all who want to "flower furiously" - and don't we all want that happy explosion for ourselves and our tribes?

[BearBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is based on the life of Gwendolyn Brooks who won the Pulitzer Prize for her work Annie Allen in 1950. It details through poetry her life from a child, to school, to marriage, and beyond.

I will say that I'm not big on poetry, in fact, I think I only own one poetry book in total, but this book is a bit unique in that it tells Gwendolyn's story through the style in which she wrote.

While this is partly autobiographical and at first glance might look like a picture book I think this book could be put to use with older students. Ones around grade 4 and up that are just starting to look at poetry and the different types that there are. I feel most students would need a bit of guidance with this one.

One thing I really liked about the book was the inclusion of the timeline at the back of Gwendolyn's life. While the content as mentioned is better suited for an older age range if you are focusing on women of history or people of colour then the younger grades, especially grade 2, could focus on the biographical nature of the story and conduct timeline activities based on it.

[Michelle Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through free verse, Alice Faye Duncan celebrates the life and times of Gwendolyn Brooks, an African-American poet whose gifts were first noticed while she was very young. In fact, she was so gifted that her parents allowed her to skip chores to work on her writing. (Isn't that every kid's dream?) This picture book biography is the first of its kind to feature lovely Gwendolyn Brooks, who was the first person of color to win the Pulitzer Prize back in 1950.

I love how the author highlights Gwendolyn's talent, her art, and her strong convictions and belief in herself, including her dedication to her craft. I was very struck by how much her parents encouraged and supported her work. It's a great reminder to us all to always be a positive force in supporting those who are learning to express themselves through the arts. Xia Gordon's illustrations are very pleasing to the eye and help convey the emotion of Duncan's words. Overall the effect is extraordinary, and I'm thrilled that young readers will be able to read this inspirational biography of Gwendolyn Brooks as they begin their own practice of learning to write poetry. The author's note, timeline, suggested reading, and bibliography at the end of the book are sure to inspire more interest in this fabulous poetry icon. For 6+ A MUST purchase for all library collections.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spectacular biographic portrayal of the incomparable poet, Gwendolyn Brooks. The structure of the profile unfolds in life stages that reveal her early giftedness, her family support, her power to explore the world around her and her world within. The information continues throughout her life, including superb education in poetic classic forms, her many achievements and accolades, and recognition of her place of honor in American literature.
It also anchors her in the urban community, on her own block, revealing the way in which her poetic and life roots penetrated the surfaces of her world.
Text includes samples of her writing from various ages and specific anecdotes from her early development, including being doubted and taunted by others as well s doubting herself.
The illustrations are breathtakingly intense and as emotionally deep and rooted as the poetry of Brooks.
Brilliant.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read their words. We listen to their words. We study their words. Their words sing to our souls and enter our beating hearts.

Like composers of musical masterpieces, poets supply us with the ability to create our own melodies from their words. Surely some of those melodies we make are the same, but others will resonate in differing harmonies. In her eighty-three years one wonderful woman left her poetic mark on the world. A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks (Sterling Books for Children, January 1, 2019) written by Alice Faye Duncan (Memphis, Martin, And The Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968) with illustrations by Xia Gordon is a lovely and loving lyrical and stunning pictorial tribute.

My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully written and illustrated nonfiction picture book tells about the inspiring life of the poet Gwendolyn Brooks. The South Side of Chicago in the early part of the twentieth century provides the backdrop of this story of a little girl who was determined to write whenever and wherever she could and parents who nurtured the artistic gift that they knew she possessed. The poetic text employs all of the senses - "Gray burst of smoke hide the yellow sun. Can flowers grow without sunlight?" and "She greets each day in her velvet glory. Her head is filled with snappy rhymes." This would definitely make a great mentor text for young writers as it mixes poetry with biographical information in an uplifting way. This is a great nonfiction resource for all bookshelves.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks by Alice Faye Duncan, illustrated by Xia Gordon. PICTURE BOOK BIOGRAPHY. Sterling, 2019. $17. 9781454930884

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Celebrate the life path of Gwendolyn Brooks – the first black and the first black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize.

Teachers can use this to celebrate Brooks, celebrate the work of poetry, and even use the great page that talks about the value of polishing poetry with revision. Gordon’s illustrations add just the right note to support the narrative without taking over.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Raven Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite read of 2019 (so far). Not only do you get a woman and one of color, you get one who might not be familiar to everyone. She is a poet I knew about but unlike Maya Angelou, there does not seem to be a lot out there about her, for this age. The format is tricky as it is a picture book, but the text and concept is for an older reader. The art is grand and amazing. It can get a little "blended together" at times, but over all very pleasant. Brooks poems are scattered about the text, the text itself a poem. The times come alive with the art. The authors notes and the time line are great tie-ins to the rest of the story. Recommended reading at the very end.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is "put a lump in your throat when you read it" magnificent. The text is a poetic and loving tribute to the subject. It appeals to all the sense and gives a beautiful picture of the life, struggles, doubts, and ultimate success of Gwendolyn Brooks. I do think that young readers will need additional material to get a full sense of the impact and importance of the poet, but so many great books for children are this sort of steppingstone for knowledge. This book is a perfect first step toward finding more avenues for knowledge about Brooks and is an absolute inspiration for seeking it out.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This uplifting book pays homage to a poet and lover of words, Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African American writer to win a Pulitzer Prize (in 1950). I enjoyed learning about how Gwendolyn's parents supported her writing from an early age, about Gwendolyn's dedication to getting every word exactly right, and about her commitment to sharing the stories of her community (South Side of Chicago) through her poetry. The handful of Gwendolyn's poems that are shared in this book have piqued my interest to read more of her poetry. A fitting book in tribute to an amazing American.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the writing style here held me back from enjoying the biography of Gwendolyn Brooks. I did like the poetry of hers that was included, but I felt like details of her life were left out in order to serve the writing style. It would have benefited from highlighting more of the struggles she overcame—and giving encouragement to not give up. I love how it highlighted the support of her parents and I appreciated the timeline provided. The artwork seemed to flow, but never really captured my attention, so I took a second look just to take in the artwork.

[Sharlene Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book could’ve been outstanding, but…the illustrations are SO bad!! My fourth graders could’ve done Gwendolyn Brooks so much more justice. I actually don’t know how it got approved with such awful artwork. It seems like the artist seriously took maybe one minute of a drawing quickly did it on the computer and moved on and she had no cares in the world and it shows. She just wanted to check it off her list.
Out of all the books I’ve read, this is the first negative that I’ve written, because I’m just so sad about it.

[Rich Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always trying to find different entries for my students into reading Brooks since I work on the south side, and I think this book has merit. The poetic writing of the author is quite good as are the short poems of Brooks’s that are included. The only place where the book fell short for me was the artwork. The color scheme fit the tone but the people just didn’t seem to fit the style. I’m not an art critic though. It’s purely my personal opinion.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s very appropriate that author Alice Faye Duncan chose to write the biography of poet Gwendolyn Brooks in poem form…it is truly like a poem for that amazing poetess! Brooks is a perfect example of the kind of wonderful person that could become from nurturing parents and family that unwaveringly believes in her talent and calling. This heart-warming and inspiring biography is a must-read for everyone!

[Laura Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite. Nothing but perfection in storytelling and art regarding a national treasure, GB. It really brought Gwendolyn Brooks to life, with importance historical significance regarding her many achievements and the long road she'd traveled. So much to love here...her poems are included in the best of ways to move the story along. Brilliant Alice Faye Duncan!! Hats off to the satisfying illustrations that perfectly compliment the story, Xia Gordon!!