United States – African American & Black – Page 2

Sing those Yellow Dog Blues

Yellow Dog Blues by Alice Faye Duncan

July 1, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

You just have to read this book to understand what is going on in this book. I can summarize that it is about a young boy looking for his dog and all the crazy, wonderful things that happen along the way. This is a “boogie-woogie” journey (according to the publisher description). Alice Faye Duncan and Chris Raschka made Yellow Dog Blues just plan a pleasant book, funny, and terribly charming. The publisher description also has this: With swinging free verse and stunning hand-stitched art, Yellow […]

“A Black girl whose voice chased away darkness, ushered in light.”

Maya’s Song by Renee Watson

June 16, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Maya’s momma was right. Maya was a preacher, a teacher. A Black girl whose voice chased away darkness, ushered in light. Maya’s Song is an introduction biography of Maya Angelou. Done in prose poetry, (most likely inspired by Angelou’s own writing style. Though I am afraid I have only read a handful of her writing and therefore, not well enough versed to say yes or no), this picture book shows Angelou’s life poetically. Renee Watson was inspired by Maya Angelou’s works and that […]

These two guys named Jason made this pretty cool book

Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds

April 25, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

While I was reading Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds I was texting a friend about it. I said I was not sure if I liked Reynolds or not as each of the six books I read were different. The four book Track series I really consider one book as it is about four friends, even if each book is a little different in style. But I had also read For Every One which is what I call a poem essay. Then Ain’t […]

You’ve heard of some, but come for the ones that kicked a$$ a little more quietly

Stand Up! 10 Might Women Who Made a Change by Brittney Cooper

February 21, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Stand Up! 10 Might Women Who Made a Change is the latest book in a slightly crowded genre of women of color making their mark in American history. With that said, it is a welcomed edition as it has a few people you have probably not heard of, making it fresh in many ways. Brittney Cooper introduces us to women who have inspired them, and others in these pages. The biographical information is presented as a story, making it easy to follow along. This book […]

Just read the G-D book, okay?

The Blacker the Berry by Joyce Carol Thomas

February 21, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

This lovely book of poems about being yourself that is gorgeously illustrated, called The Blacker the Berry created two main thoughts for me. First, why did they pick this poem instead of another to be the title? Color Struck would seem like a stronger move. Of course, this led to my self-discussion of “Well struck is a harsh word, and the person choosing probably did not want a word that has a negative connotation as the first thing you see.” And then that led to, […]

Fathers and Sons

Knock Knock by Daniel Beaty

August 20, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I was hoping for something different when I saw the cover of Knock Knock by Daniel Beaty. I was not completely sure what I excepted, but I thought it would be about the waiting for the knock and the joy we feel after we open it for that “surprise” on the other side. Be that surprise is a new sibling, a parent coming home from work or school or was in the service. Or the joy of having a grandparent or sibling that lives far […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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