American Identity: The 1619 Project
Today’s picture book pick is…
The 1619 Project: Born on the Water
Written by Nikoke Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson
Illustrated by Nicholas Smith
Published by Kokila in 2021.
Summary
A picture book in verse about a Black American girl who finds herself in the joy, pain, resilience, hope, and strength of her family history.
First line
“My teacher gives us an assignment.”
Favorite line
“Ours is no immigration story.”
I love how this story starts and ends with the present day. On the final page, the girl looks strong, determined, and hopeful about her future after she learns of her Black American identity. The lyrical prose brought me to tears as I learned about an American history I was not taught in school.
The bold colors and textures create a movement across the page. We feel the joy and the pain through those brush strokes. We experience the losses and the triumphs through those colors. What a beautiful and powerful book!
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Purchase a copy from your local bookstore and leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads.