Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renee Watson, fine art by Ekua Holmes - ADVISABLE

Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renee Watson, fine art by Ekua Holmes, 96 pages. Penguin, 2024. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Black Girl You Are Altas is a collection of poems by Renee Watson celebrating black girls and women. 

A few autobiographical prose sections - which still read like poetry because Renee Watson is such a talented poet - about being 7, 13 and 16. As I read, I found myself re-reading certain poems and reflecting on my own experiences. Gorgeous illustrations by Ekua Holmes highlight many of the poems and make this short collection a great addition to your poetry section, and also a wonderful gift. 

Lisa Librarian

Some Places More Than Others by Renee Watson - ESSENTIAL

Some Places More Than Others by Renee Watson, 194 pages. Bloomsbury, 2019.  $17. 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Amara, 11yo, loves her family and her life in Oregon, but she also wants to meet her family in New York City – especially since she has not been getting along with her mother and is not wholly excited by her coming baby sister.  When she finally gets to NYC, though, everything is not fun and light.  Her older cousins feel like Amara is spoiled and they don’t want to babysit her around their town. And her mom has tasked her with getting her dad and his father to talk – but its been 12 years, what is Amara supposed to do in a few days?

I love that Renee wrote a heartfelt story that shows a family that has problems and tries to come together without being slave to a cultural situation or ahistorical time period. Its just a girl trying to fit in and bring her family together. Amara are her problems so relatable.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

What Momma Left Me by Renee Watson - ADVISABLE

What Momma Left Me by Renee Watson, 240 pages.  Bloomsbury, 2019.  $18. 

Language: G; Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Serenity’s mom is dead, her dad is nowhere to be found, and now she and her younger brother Danny are living with their mom’s parents – not their dad’s momma.  Starting at a new school isn’t easy, but Serenity makes a friend and is kind of interested in a boy.  But does she want to go down the same path that her Momma took?  Can she stop an angry Danny from trying out the same shortcuts as Daddy?  Scan she be a good friend when Maria needs her?

Watson leaves the reader with plenty of space to speculate as she ushers Serenity hopefully towards a better future.  Nothing is wrapped up in a tidy bow, but there is optimism.  Watson tackles many difficult issues, but infers the harsher behaviors, leaving it up to the reader to decide how graphic to paint the pictures. This means that the book is open to a younger audience as well as story that can be appreciated by older students. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS

Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson - ESSENTIAL

Watson, Renee Piecing Me Together 260 pgs, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, $17.99,

Language: PG(1 swear, 0 “F”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG;  

Jade is a teenage girl who believes the only way to succeed is to first get out of her poor neighborhood.  She has taken every opportunity without hesitation until she is accepted into the Women to Women mentorship program for girls who are considered to be “at risk”.  Jade only sees it as a program for black girls who are from “bad” neighborhoods.  She also feels her mentor doesn’t get or understand her at all.  Jade soon realized that there are things she can learn from her mentor, but there are also things her mentor can learn from Jade.  

This book was a very touching story about a problem that has been all too real in this country.  It really opened my eyes and my heart.  It is a book that should be read with an open heart and mind.  Mature Content is PG because there is talk about dating, hormones, and problems between the police and the African American’s in the city. Violence is PG because there is some police brutality partially described. 

MS/HS - ESSENTIAL Student Reviewer; JM(9th grade)

This Side of Home by Renee Watson - ADVISIBLE

Watson, Renee This Side of Home, 336 pgs. Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 2015. $17.99. Language: 5 swears (single use of the “n” word); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

Twin sisters Maya and Nikki are best friends and thought they had their entire futures mapped out when big changes start to occur in their neighborhood. Houses are being repaired and renovated, new people are moving in, and fancy businesses are setting up shop. This is great news, or is it? Nikki could not be happier with what is happening while Maya finds herself upset and wondering what is being lost in the pursuit of improvement. The sisters will be forced to confront their own prejudices and feelings about culture and community and what it means to their relationship.

The subject of this novel is an important one that young readers will benefit from understanding. Many young adults are unaware of, or misunderstand, what gentrification is and how it may seem like a good idea, but is actually fraught with negative consequences. For such an important topic, it is unfortunate that this book was not written better. The author continually decries the numerous stereotypes that are heaped on African Americans while writing the white characters as one dimensional people who embody nothing but stereotypical behavior. The characters in the book also fall victim to the clichéd habit of YA novels in which the teens have all the understanding and answers while the adults are clueless or persistent disappointments. 

MS,HS—ADVISIBLE AEB

Harlem’s Little Blackbird by Renee Watson - ADVISABLE

Watson, Renee Harlem’s Little Blackbird, PICTURE BOOK. Random House Children’s Books, 2012.  $17.99. Content: G. 

“Harlem’s little blackbird” is Florence Mills, a black singer and performer from the early twentieth century. As early as childhood, she battles racism as she becomes more acclaimed and more in demand.  Throughout the experiences she has, she is dedicated to helping others and supporting equal rights with her notoriety and lovely singing voice.  

This picture book is a well done biography that will help students make a connection with an authentic story about someone in the past. The uncomplicated pictures seem to match Florence’s kind and passionate personality.  This would be a nice addition to a library that encourages students to learn about  perspectives from people of different backgrounds 

EL – ADVISABLE.  Reviewed by: Shay, Library Media Specialist