Black Boy, Black Boy

PreS-Gr 4–The canon of books celebrating and empowering boys of color continues to grow as this book shines brightly, inspiring them to greatness by introducing the main character and readers to others who have positively impacted and changed the world. Kamanda drafts a friendly letter that begins, “Dear boy,” and takes him on a journey down a vivid road, encouraging him to shine like his elders. Every page is devoted to information on men like Colin Kaepernick, Emory Malick, and Barack Obama, and their contributions to America, while simultaneously reassuring the boy that he can dream big and work hard to gain whatever it is he envisions. The body of this story is full of excellent content illustrated in vibrant hues; the superimposed images of the classic and contemporary leaders strengthen the story. As the letter closes, the sunset glows in the background, illuminating the future path of the young male as the author’s final words breathe life into this Black boy’s journey—a journey he is sure to succeed in if he can harness the power he already has and celebrate the potential within himself.