by Renee Watson
Art (collages) by Ekua Holmes
Kokila
an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC
2024
96 pages
ISBN: 9780593461709
Black Girl You Are Atlas is a breathtaking triumph celebrating a young girl's thoughts as she grows up black and female in America. Watson uses autobiographical stories and captures moments in history and how she experienced them as a child. She includes poems about Michelle Obama, Rodney King and Breonna Taylor.
Magnificent does not do this book justice. It is the most powerful book of poetry since Maya Angelou or Langston Hughes. In "Black Like Me" Watson asks, "can i be Black & brilliant?/ can i be jazz & gospel, hip-hop & classical?/ can i be christian & accepting? can i be big & beautiful?"
In "Underbelly," Watson uses repetition of "Black girl body..." to begin each line. This poem is a compelling statement of power, weathering the storm, pushing through, being proud, and finding happiness.
Black Girl You Are Atlas is a wonderful book gift for any girl or woman. It is a celebration of being black in America but should be read and enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their skin color or country of origin. This is one book you will not forget.
Collage art by Ekua Holmes captures not only the joy but also the sorrow and sadness of the prose.
This is a must-have, must-read for everyone. Any library collection should purchase multiple copies as this book will not sit on the shelf.
So highly recommended, I'd give it more than five stars.
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