Black Boy, Rise

Gr 1-4–This book is a stirring and powerful celebration of Black boyhood with lyrical, rhythmic text and stunning watercolor illustrations. Readers are invited to experience the depth, beauty, and potential of young Black boys. The author’s words, inspired by the legacies of Langston Hughes, Lucille Clifton, and W.E.B. Du Bois echo with pride, resilience, and a call for greatness, celebrating both the legacy of the past and the promise of the future. The rich, colorful artwork captures emotions in the complexity of Black boyhood with grace and dignity. This book is a vital addition to any library collection. It offers a profound counternarrative to the still pervasive, often limiting portrayals of Black boys in media and literature, providing a space for them to see themselves as strong, worthy, and full of possibility. In its empowering, joyful depictions of Black experiences, this book inspires, uplifts, and affirms the beauty of Black boyhood.