Black Girl You Are Atlas
Author: Renée Watson
Illustrator: Ekua Holmes
With various poetic forms, the semi-autobiographical collection celebrates Black girlhood, Black sisterhood, and encourages young people to embrace their future boldly. Vibrant, mixed-media illustrations.
Our Young Reviewer Says:
“Renée Watson has achieved something unique through this collection of semi-autobiographical poetry. With strong characterization, Watson has written a powerful ‘herstory.’ Reflecting on the journey of a young person on the margins at the crossroads of gender, class, and race, Watson delivers a powerful piece of American literature. She does it in 81 pages using various poetry forms, including free verse, haiku, tanks, and pantoum.
Black Girl You Are Atlas is an original and distinct work of literary excellence and contribution to American literature for children. There are parts of this book I would have appreciated at age 7 and others that make more sense to me now at age 15. It is relevant and meaningful in its approach to history and perspective. As my experience expands, so will my ability to apply the material. I think that text like “Be a best friend to yourself” (p.50) calls to kids of every age and everyone who has been one.
I am a white male, neurodivergent, teenage, high school student-athlete. I am aware of my privilege at the intersection of race, class, and gender. On a smaller scale, I have experienced the isolation, frustration, and challenges of being neurocognitively different from my peers. So, how can I connect and evaluate a book that differs from my experience? That is the entire point of literature and its reach. Watson’s writing commanded my respect for her perspectives while appealing to the universal truth that every person’s story is relevant to the shared experience of being human.
Ekua Holmes’ detailed and colorful mixed-media illustrations were a great companion to the writing. While the poetry stood alone, the illustrations provided a visual breathing space to reflect on the messages. She delivered a detailed visual reflection of each poem’s tone.”
–Quade, age 15, San Diego, CA.
Young people who are interested in reviewing are invited to do so as we welcome the individual perspective of our age appropriate readers. If you are interested in being a reviewer, contact youngreviewers@bankstreet.edu
See our Monthly Picks Archive 2012–2018, and our Monthly Picks 2019–present.