“A must-purchase that will empower Black children and expand all readers’ knowledge of African American history.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“A critically important and unreservedly recommended addition to family, elementary school, middle school, and community library Contemporary Social Issues collections.” — Midwest Book Review
“In this bold homage to the Black experience, kids can access a birthright of struggle, excellence and resilience.” — San Francisco Chronicle
“The pages are wonderfully alive with electric hues. The book’s narrative rhythms portray time as a river of swirling currents as opposed to points on a straight line. King’s long view of history connects the past strongly to the present, and vice versa.” — New York Times Book Review
“Black history and culture come alive in this celebratory biography, whose fresh, pop-art style bursts with color and creatively sized and set sans-serif font. This book powerfully reflects current events and attitudes while raising up Black Americans past and present.” —Booklist (starred review)
“The litany is rhythmic and powerful. The historical and contemporary examples of Black excellence effectively build up a sense of confidence and indisputable value before the Black lives cut short by violence are named, so that these acts of violence are seen in proper context as wrongful denial of a birthright.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Testament to how beautiful typography can influence a book’s design. A combination of bright colors, silhouettes, and names decorate the pages, inviting the reader to take it all in. The text is magnificent. It could be used and studied all year long. Absolutely required reading in middle school classrooms.” — The Tiny Activist
“Highly informative, beautifully designed, and accessibly written.” —Boston Public Library 2021 “Black Is...” citation
