CULTURE 2 AFRICAN AMERICAN LIT

Culture 2 - Black/African American Literature Book Reviews

Book 1: Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down By Andrea Davis Pinkney

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Pinkney, A. D., & Brian Pinkney. (2010). Sit-in: How four friends stood up by sitting down. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down is an inspiring informational story that tells how four African American college students in Greensboro, North Carolina, decided to take a stand by sitting down. On February 1, 1960, motivated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s powerful words, four boys walked into Woolworth’s lunch counter, ordered a doughnut and coffee with cream on the side, and quietly refused to leave even though the counter was for whites only. Their peaceful protest sparked a movement, and each day, more and more people joined their sit-in, staying seated until they were served. Soon, the sit-ins spread beyond lunch counters to buses, parks, libraries, and more. Even when they were arrested, they stayed calm and strong, showing the world what it means to fight for equality without violence. This brave stand played a huge part in the civil rights movement and helped pave the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down is an amazing picture book that tackles a tough topic in a way kids can understand the reality of segregation. One thing that makes this book really special is how Andrea Davis Pinkney weaves in Dr. King’s quotes throughout the story, they make his message of nonviolence and hope really stand out for young readers. Brian Pinkney’s illustrations are bright and full of energy. They focus not just on the hard parts of segregation, but on the courage and achievements of these students and the many others who joined the sit-ins. The book even includes a Civil Rights timeline and extra details about the Greensboro protests. This book does an incredible job of balancing the emotional side of the Civil Rights Movement with historical facts. I love that it gives kids another perspective beyond MLK or Rosa Parks, showing how everyday young people helped push America toward equality. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Awards and Nominations:

Cybils Award (2010) 

Parents' Choice Award (Gold Medal, Nonfiction) (2010)

Children’s Book Committee Award (2011) – Winner 

Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens (2011)

Land of Enchantment Book Award (2011) – Nominee

Black-Eyed Susan Award (2011) – Nominee

Jane Addams Children’s Book Award (2011) – Honor Book 

“This compelling picture book is based on the historic sit‑in 50 years ago… Food‑related wordplay adds layers to the free verse… At the core of the exciting narrative are scenes that show the difficulty of facing hatred: ‘tougher than any school test.’ … Even young children will grasp the powerful, elemental, and historic story of those who stood up to oppressive authority and changed the world.” —- Booklist (Starred Review)

“Brian Pinkney’s sinuous watercolor and ink art conveys the solidity and determination of the activists as well as a building energy that grew out of their act of civil disobedience.” —- Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“Andrea Davis Pinkney crafts a text as spare as poetry and circles back to a refrain as simple and clear as the four friends’ request… Their portraits communicate the energy at the root of their stillness.” —-- School Library Journal (Starred Review)

5. CONNECTIONS

Similar books to Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down:

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Bryan Collier

Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue

Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh

Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson, illustrated by Frank Morrison

The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist by Cynthia Levinson, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier

Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles, illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue

Book 2: Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Thomas, A. (2021). Concrete rose. Balzer + Bray.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Concrete Rose is Angie Thomas’s prequel to The Hate U Give, taking us back 17 years to Garden Heights. This story follows 17-year-old Maverick Carter, a high school senior who’s already carrying a lot on his shoulders. His dad, a known King Lords gang legend is in prison, and his mom works two jobs just to keep things afloat. It seems like Maverick is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps and stick with the gang life, but everything changes when Maverick finds out he’s the father of a three month old baby. After a DNA test confirms it, and the baby’s mother bails, and Maverick suddenly has full custody of his son, Lil Man. Now, he’s determined to be a good dad, the kind of father his own dad never really was. Maverick has to figure out how to leave the King Lords, stop dealing drugs, and live honestly, even if that means barely scraping by working legit jobs. Things get even more complicated when his best friend and cousin is killed, and his girlfriend, Lisa, tells him she’s pregnant too. Suddenly, Maverick’s whole future hinges on the choices he makes right now. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Concrete Rose is an honest, raw, and powerful look at gang life, teen fatherhood, and figuring out what kind of man you want to be. I love Maverick, he’s one of those characters you just want to hug and cheer on every step of the way. Concrete Rose does such a great job showing that even when life throws all kinds of negativity and tough choices at you, you can still rise above it all. One of my favorite parts was seeing how Maverick grows as a character. Another thing I loved was how the book focused so much on teen fatherhood. We always hear about young moms doing it alone, but here the script is flipped, Maverick has to figure out diapers, sleepless nights, and all the struggles that come with a newborn. Angie Thomas does a great job of making teenage dilemmas feel real. Maverick faces serious peer pressure, and you really feel the weight of every choice he has to make. But it’s also beautiful to see the older characters, his mom, and his girlfriend guiding him and showing him there’s so much more to life than gangs and drugs.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Awards and Nominations:

New York Times Bestseller (instant #1 and spent 19 weeks on the list) 

“Thomas brings her trademark wit, nostalgic love of the 1990s and all things R&B and hip-hop, and her penchant for heartfelt characterization to this first-person exploration of Maverick Carter’s coming-of-age.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Authentic to the point of heartbreak, Maverick’s voice is earnest as he wrestles with his decisions. Fans of Thomas’s work will not be disappointed in this intense portrayal of this phase in the Carter family’s story." — Horn Book (starred review)

“This is the perfect example of a narrative that straddles the beauty and pain of belonging and having the courage to make your own choices…. Thomas writes with a depth of humor and clarity that really allows readers to bond with the characters.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“This literary DeLorean transports readers into the past, where they hope, dream, and struggle alongside beloved characters from Thomas’ The Hate U Give…. Thomas proves Game of Thrones–esque in her worldbuilding ability, deepening her landscape without sacrificing intimacy or heart.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Thomas delivers a poignant prequel to The Hate U Give…. Maverick's story is one that offers hope, encouragement, and optimism." — Booklist (starred review)

Junior Library Guild Selection for both print and audiobook editions 

AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award Winner (2021) 

2021 Cybils Award for Young Adult Fiction - Finalist 

2021 Goodreads Choice Award – Young Adult Fiction - Nominee

2022 Michael L. Printz Award - Honor Book

2022 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults - Nominee

5. CONNECTIONS

Similar books with stories about tough choices, family, identity, and young Black protagonists navigating real-life struggles: 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

 On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

When You Look Like Us by Pamela N. Harris

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam

Book 3: Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Harrison, V. (2017). Little leaders: Bold women in Black history. Little, Brown and Company.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison is an inspiring collection of 40 short, one-page biographies celebrating incredible African American women. This is a easy-to-read book that introduces readers to trailblazers from all walks of life: literature, politics, pop culture, sports, science, and more. From astronauts and jazz singers to doctors and ballet dancers, these amazing women broke barriers and made history over the past 200 years. Famous names like Harriet Tubman, Ella Fitzgerald, and Katherine Johnson come to life through brief but vivid stories that share just enough detail to spark curiosity and admiration. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Vashti Harrison does an incredible job balancing honesty and empathy in Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History. She’s respectful of all reading levels, keeping the writing clear and approachable, yet she doesn’t shy away from sharing some of the harder truths behind these African American women’s lives. She gives just enough context about their struggles and achievements to help young readers understand why these women matter, while always keeping the tone hopeful and inspiring. One thing that really stands out is how Harrison shows the ripple effect of these trailblazers, it’s a beautiful way to show how powerful it is to see people like yourself doing amazing things, no matter your age or background. Another thing that really stood out to me was, the illustrations that take this book to another level. They’re adorable yet detailed, capturing the spirit of each woman while adding little hints about her work or personality. Harrison cleverly draws each figure as a child, which makes it extra relatable for young readers. This is an outstanding book to help kids appreciate the contributions and resilience of African American women throughout history. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Awards and Nominations:

#1 New York Times Bestseller 

Named to the 2021 Connecticut Nutmeg List 

2018 Amelia Bloomer Book List 

NAACP Image Award winner for Outstanding Literary Work for Children

5. CONNECTIONS

Similar books that celebrate trailblazing women and Black history:

Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o, illustrated by Vashti Harrison 

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

How to Change the World by Rashmi Sirdeshpande, illustrated by Annabel Tempest 

She Persisted Around the World by Chelsea Clinton 

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford

Book 4: Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

Reynolds, J. A. (2019). Opposite of always (First edition). Katherine Tegen Books. 

PLOT SUMMARY:

Opposite of Always follows Jack King, a lovable, nerdy high school senior who’s just about to graduate. He’s has two best friends, Franny and Jillian, and life is pretty normal, until it’s not. One weekend, Jack and Jillian visit the college they’re planning to attend, and Jack ends up at a house party where he meets Kate. They instantly click, and before he knows it, Jack is head over heels. But things get complicated fast. Kate is sweet but kind of distant, and Jack finds out it’s because she’s hiding a big secret, she’s really sick with a life-threatening illness. No matter how hard Jack tries, he never seems to get to her in time, and she dies. But, instead of it being over, Jack suddenly finds himself back at the party, meeting Kate all over again. He’s stuck in a time loop, reliving the same six months, trying to figure out what he can change to save her life. But every time he fixes one thing, something else in his life goes off the rails and then it’s back to square one.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Opposite of Always was honestly such a wild ride, it made me feel sad and hopeless at times, but then it would flip around and be sweet, funny, and really uplifting too. Jack felt so real to me. He keeps trying, messes up, gives up, then jumps back in and tries again. Watching him learn something new every time he made a mistake, made me really root for him. Each redo felt fresh and came with its own lesson. Jack’s thoughts and jokes made me laugh and smile a ton, and I loved how much he cared for Kate, for his friends, for everyone really. He never gives up, and that made me root for him and Kate every single time. I went into this book without knowing much about the plot, and I was hooked the whole way through. I didn’t expect my heart to break so many times, but the way the story’s set up makes that totally possible, in the best way.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S):

Awards and Nominations:

“This charming, wry novel packed with witty, crackling banter is propulsively readable. There are some big questions about choice, consequences, loyalty, and love in this novel, and Reynolds beautifully complements those heavy concerns with the sweet, funny, and genuine voice of his protagonist.”   — Booklist (starred review)

“A love story about friendship with a ‘choose your own adventure’ twist... Any teen who’s ever wanted a do‑over will enjoy reading this story.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

School Library Journal Best Book of 2019 

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books (2019)

CONNECTIONS:

Books similar to Opposite of Always:

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Slay by Brittney Morris

Charming As a Verb by Ben Philippe

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney

This Is My America by Kim Johnson

Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles