Renée WatsonCritiques

Independent Reading Level: Grades 3-6

Two acclaimed, award-winning creators team up to present this moving, introspective poetry collection celebrating the possibilities of Black girlhood complemented by atmospheric mixed-media illustrations.

Showcasing varied poetic forms such as free verse and tanka, Watson reflects on coming of age as a Black girl in a society that habitually flattens Black experiences into easily digestible stereotypes. The opening poem, “Where I’m From,” is inspired by the work of Puerto Rican writer Willie Perdomo, and it peels back the layers of Watson’s identity, creating a harmonious alchemy of personal and cultural history that incorporates familiar touchstones and inheritances like “east coast hip-hop and island tradition.” Themes of resilience and perseverance are interwoven throughout, exploring how Black girls’ existence is often a testament to survival. Some poems contemplate the trauma that results from systemic racism and misogynoir; “A Pantoum for Breonna Taylor” notes how white supremacy weaponizes the basic necessity of rest: “Breonna, who reminded us that Black women / are not even safe in our sleep.” But Watson doesn’t dwell in despair; she finds safety in the healing power of love. Other poems, including “Lessons on Being a Sky Walker,” are rallying cries, encouraging Black girls to honor their roots and cherish their versatility. Watson’s reconstructions of childhood delights and teenage wounds examine the collision of race, gender, and class. Holmes’ tender, vibrant art enhances the poems.

A compelling ode to self-resurrection and Black sisterhood that finds much-needed light in the world’s darkness. (Poetry. 12-18)

-Kirkus Review

Gr 3–5—Ryan is a ray of sunshine whose positivity is infectious, even during challenging times. Watson takes a look
at the everyday ups and downs of kid life in this series debut following a young Black girl in Portland, OR. Readers
are bound to fall in love with enthusiastic Ryan and her warm, loving family.

Gr 2–5—An illustrated work on the 1619 Project for young readers, this adaptation begins with a school assignment
and quickly immerses readers in beauty and terror. This stunning work offers a glimpse into the history of the Black
American experience before and after the slave trade; the elevated language and breathtaking artwork will have a
lasting effect.

Gr 7 Up—Nala hopes to have her first brush with summer romance and finds a possible partner in civics-minded Tye
Brown. To impress him, the Black girl tells a few lies about her own activism. Watson's novel features a young
woman comfortable in her own skin but who still struggles with self-love. The honest prose is laced with humor,
poetic language, and heart.

Gr 5–8—This in-depth biography in poems, with unsurpassable watercolor and collage illustrations, is not
exhaustive, but delivers an understanding of Angelou from her childhood experiences, excerpts of her writing, and
adult accomplishments and friendships.

Born on the Water is a beautiful book! The illustrations capture the content, tone, and emotions of the poetry so well. I thought the introduction to slavery and its trauma is honest, but sensitive to young readers. The accurate portrayal of the West African societies from which slaves were kidnapped gives all young readers, but especially young African American readers, an important context for those captured into slavery and the cultural influences seen among enslaved people in the United States and their descendants. This book also celebrates the determination, strength, and resilience of African Americans to create new lives out of such tragedy. Both authors note that they want African American readers to come away empowered and to reflect about their roots -- reading this book is a wonderful way to start such reflection.

I also see this book as important resource for teachers to use in the classroom, offering all students to reflect on the consequences of slavery in the United States, Black resistance and civil rights, and what it means to call oneself "American".

I liked this book, although I did skim through the middle. It is not a dramatic feeling book, although it could have been, based on the plot points. Good for teens who like realistic fiction with no love drama.

This book has an old fashioned, well manned protagonist that feels refreshing and simple and good. Were it not for the descriptions of lynchings and police murders, this book would be easy to fit on a list of books for sheltered children. It is full of the religious optimism of its adolescent main character Betty. the writing was very good, full of rich descriptive passages.

I had not heard of this book until my library added it to their digital collection. I'm so glad I stumbled across it! The audiobook was read beautifully by the author herself, and the writing was so poetic.

I tried to read [b:This Side of Home|22392935|This Side of Home|Renée Watson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422732313s/22392935.jpg|41813444] when it came out and didn't get far because Watson's writing style doesn't appeal much to me. In terms of Nancy Pearl's doorways, my biggest door is language and the language Watson employs seems serviceable but unremarkable. The dialogue tends to sound unnatural at times, especially when it's full of exposition. For me, if I'm not getting beautiful sentences, then I need a super exciting plot. I kept waiting for the plot to get going and then realized there wasn't going to be much of a plot.

Despite not liking This Side of Home I had high hopes for Piecing Me Together because of all the awards it's won. But I found the same issues I had with Watson's earlier book.

Still, Piecing Me Together does a lot of good things. Good exploration of themes. Good characters. Good structure with the very short chapters. Though Jade is a junior in high school, I think this book will work for readers as young as 11 or 12. So I think I understand why the Newbery committee chose to honor it. But it's still not a book I enjoyed very much. It felt didactic and predictable to me. But adults like me are not the intended audience. The lessons this book offers are important and are presented in a way that will probably work pretty well for tweens and teens.

This book is a retelling of the traditional narrative of the slave trade, told in verse and accompanied by glorious and dramatic illustrations. While this is aimed for readers in grades 2 through 5, I absolutely loved it! I stopped at every page to look deeper into the pictures.

I appreciate how intense yet open and honest this book is. It's heartbreaking, uplifting, and inspiring all at the same time!

Independent Reading Level: Grades 4th-5th
Awards: Pulitizer Prize (2020), Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award (2022)

"The most radical thing you can do is love yourself and each other.”

I didn’t care too much about the romance here, but I liked the characters, especially JT! The romance is more so in the background while Nala’s character development is in the front.

As someone who has been involved in community organizing, especially for black and environmental issues, I understood Nala’s feelings with the activists to an extent. Sometimes you meet people so passionate (they eat, breathe, sleep it) about something, you feel your zeal doesn’t compare to theirs. But I thought Nala would come around eventually. I also enjoyed that Nala was self-aware to understand her cousin Imani’s feelings may have stemmed from resentment.

Let this be a lesson: Sit cho’ behind down and stop lying all the doggone time. Seriously, even the littlest lies can catapult into something big. Just be honest even if it’s uncomfortable. Still, I think the story managed to show this without getting too preachy.

2.5

Independent Reading Level: Grades 4th-5th
Awards: Pulitizer Prize (2020), Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award (2022)

Apassion for social justice blossoms during the middle school years for the girl who grew up to become Dr. Betty Shabazz.

Loved but unwanted by her mother, 11-year-old Betty finds solace in friends and church. In 1945 Detroit, Betty’s African-American church community is a hub for activism in the face of Jim Crow racism, police brutality, and economic inequality. With renowned guests such as Thurgood Marshall and Paul Robeson coming to speak and perform, Betty and her friends are swept up in the fervor and demand for social justice that would become a movement. They volunteer for the Housewives’ League, a group that encourages the community to give its dollars to black-owned and -employing businesses. But the movement is also personal for Betty, who struggles to find her place in a world that treats brown-skinned black girls as lesser—less beautiful, less worthy, less deserving. Authored by her daughter Ilyasah Shabazz in collaboration with Watson, this moving fictional account of the early life of the late civil rights leader and widow of Malcolm X draws on the recollections of family and friends. The result is a heart-rending imagining of Shabazz’s personal challenges as well as a rare, intimate look at the complex roots of the American civil rights movement.

A personal, political, and powerful imagining of the early life of the late activist . (Historical fiction. 10-14)

-Kirkus Review

I am not the right person to critique this book. I liked this book. It’s part of the 1619 Project about the history of Black Americans and how they came to be in this country. What is unique about this book is, it’s all poetry that creates one story. This is normally found in much bigger longer works. The illustrations are strange, but beautiful. They put emotion to the paper to match the words. I can fully say that I thought this book was fantastic, but also realize that I am in no place to critique this book.

Newbery Honor Book!

The transition between "And They Danced" to "Stolen" to " is amazing. The colorful page to a blue and black to a red and black one truly conveys the emotional turmoil. I'm interested on why the illustrator decided to leave a dash of green. Plus, as the author mentions, it is not an immigration story. My favorite page is the last one, where she draws the US flag to show that her ancestors built this county so she is able to take pride in the fact that she is from here. I loved the illustrations

This series is just so dang heartwarming. It tackles big, important things and little bitty things and just focuses with great tenderness on a young girls' life. Ryan, now in 5th grade, is feeling out her in-the-middle place -- in between a big brother and a new baby sister; in between two best friends; in between the last of elementary school and the start of middle school. She's got a great sense of humor, and her elders really help her to know her own mind. Great stuff.

First sentence: Everything feels new. The clothes I got for Christmas still fit in that stiff way that new clothes fit, and they haven't been worn enough to start fading. We've finally stopped eating holiday food and have gone back to more everyday meals--peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, burgers and fries, spaghetti. We're two weeks into the new year, and still people are saying Happy New Year! if it's the first time they've seen someone since December.

Premise/plot: This is the fourth Ryan Hart novel. Previous books include: Ways To Make Sunshine, Ways to Grow Love, and Ways to Share Joy. This LOVELY chapter book covers Ryan Hart's last five months in elementary school (aka, January - May of her fifth grade year). Readers spend time with Ryan Hart at school and home.

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, crazy love the Ryan Hart series. I adore every single member of her family. I love Ryan, Ray, Rose, the parents, and the grandma. I ADORE the relationships between all the family members. I love seeing the complexities of those relationships. I love seeing Ryan hang out with her best friends. I love seeing her strive at school. I love the occasional trip to church. Everything about Ryan Hart's world is one I'm invested in--I just adore this series so much.

This one has so many perfectly-perfect scenes. I don't know if this is the last book, but if it happens to be the last book it is incredibly satisfying. (Do I want it to be the end? No. Never. I want to be friends with Ryan forever and ever and ever.)

Quotes:

Always, they ask, What do you want to do when you grow up? but I have never been asked, Who do you want to be? I've never thought about there being a difference.
Like she [her Grandma] is thinking again about how I am changing, changing. She is smiling at me in a way that tells me her love is not based on what I do, but who I am.

Jade is a young black teenage girl in the more predominantly white Portland, Oregon. Struggling with identity as she attends the almost all white private school she attends, Jade explores her life through the lens of a black, strong, independent woman in a world that she tries to silence her. I would use this book in a middle school setting, more 7th-8th grade, and have the students do a reflection problem on their own identity and how they fit into our society.

This book is about African Americans who came to the US in 1619 to African Americans in the US today. This story shares the African community's determination to help America become what it is today. I think this book would fit well in a 4th grade classroom. I think I would use this in a lesson about what experiences some people go through and also to show my students what slavery looked like.

This book could be used as a read aloud for intermediate aged students.
This book is about the history of African Americans in America from 1619 to present day, and how they built America to be what it is today.
It is a book that can be used to show African American history in America, and what they went through as slaves and how they persevered.

Great book that gives history and supports family heritage. Does not ignore the harsh truth of this history and can get students thinking. I do think that it is a tough history to view though, so probably better for upper elementary. Maybe 5th grade.