Young, Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present

With a title drawn from Nina Simone's "To Be Young, Gifted and Black," this striking volume highlights 52 black activists, politicians, artists, writers, scientists, and entertainers from around the world. Wilson introduces the figures in succinct biographies that move briskly through their accomplishments, emphasize their impact, and include brief quotations ("If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair," said Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman in Congress). Wilson's subjects are weighted toward the 20th and 21st centuries (Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mae Jemison, Steve McQueen, the Obamas, the Williams and Knowles sisters), but earlier trailblazers are also represented, including George Washington Carver, Alexandre Dumas, and Harriet Tubman. Pippins uses dramatic shades of pink, yellow, red, and fluorescent green to create tableaus that suggest a blend of religious iconography and pop art. A luminous and diverse tribute to black movers and shakers across the centuries. Ages 7-10. (Feb.)

Gr 3 Up--With a title that references the late Lorraine Hansberry's phrase "young, gifted and black," this exuberant collected biography is one readers won't want to miss. Students are invited to explore one and two-page vignettes of 52 compelling figures in black culture worldwide. Each profile recounts their beginnings and marvelous feats as scientists, writers, athletes, artists, or activists, both past and present. Exquisitely designed, each illustrated portrait is thickly outlined, colored digitally, and illuminated by irradiating forms that resemble papel picado. Each written entry follows a precise format: a clear definition of the person in a larger sans-serif font; the same but smaller font for the text; a bold handwriting font for a highlighted quote; and an outlined, all-caps font for the inventive titles given to each, such as "Conductor" for Harriet Tubman, "Soul-Singing Superstar" for Solange, and "Chess Grandmaster" for Maurice Ashley. There is not a chronology or categories. There is a back matter and a "Hall of Fame" photo album--like index of black-and-white headshots, each framed with a name banner and page number. In the preface, New York--based activist author Wilson and illustrator Pippins pinpoint the importance of telling stories of black success with the adage that "if you can't see it, you can't be it." VERDICT Share this book widely across generations as a launching point for more discoveries.--Sara Lissa Paulson, City-As-School High School, New York City