Description Each poem is paired with one-of-a-kind art from todays most exciting African American illustrators–including Pat Cummings, Brian Pinkney, Sean Qualls, James Ransome, Javaka Steptoe, and many more–to create an emotional and thought-provoking book with timely themes for todays readers. A foreword, an introduction to the history of the Harlem Renaissance, author’s note, poet biographies, and index makes this not only a book to cherish, but a wonderful resource and reference as well. In the seventh grade Waldorf classroom students explore the world of poetry and venture in to writing their own. In eighth grade and high school they continue this journey so this book can be introduced into any of those years. This book provides a wonderful way to diversify their knowledge of poetry beyond the European classics. What will happen when a child finds out that poetry comes in many kinds of voices and one of those voices could be very close to their own? Wonderful things will happen! Pairing the poems with work by many different artists is the cherry on top. Children will get to explore the wonderful world of poetry and visual art at the same time. — Kristie Burns, Earthschooling.com
