Exquisite

The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks

Abrams Books for Young Readers

(pub. 4.7.2020) 

48 pages

A True Tale with

A Cherry On Top   

A uthor: Suzanne Slade
       and illustrator: Cozbi A. Cabrera

C haracter:  Gwendolyn Brooks

O verview:

 

"Gwendolyn Brooks (1917–2000) is known for her poems about 'real life.' She wrote about love, loneliness, family, and poverty—showing readers how just about anything could become a beautiful poem. Exquisite follows Gwendolyn from early girlhood into her adult life, showcasing her desire to write poetry from a very young age. This picture-book biography explores the intersections of race, gender, and the ubiquitous poverty of the Great Depression—all with a lyrical touch worthy of the subject. Gwendolyn Brooks was the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize, receiving the award for poetry in 1950. And in 1958, she was named the poet laureate of Illinois. A bold artist who from a very young age dared to dream, Brooks will inspire young readers to create poetry from their own lives."

T antalizing taste: 

"Gwendolyn grew up in the big city of Chicago with little money to spare.

Yet her family owned great treasure - a bookcase filled with precious poems.

Each night, her father read fine poetry aloud, passionate and proud. Nothing sounded sweeter to Gwendolyn than Father's deep voice reciting the rhythmic words.

Gwendolyn memorized those lines - fine words in time to share with her big-hugging aunts."

And something more:  As an author who values primary sources, I appreciated Cozbi A. Cabrera's Acknowledgement: "A special thank you to the staff at the University of Illinois of Urbana-Champaign's Rare Book and Manuscript Library, where all of Ms. Brooks's personal papers are archived. Holding her handwritten papers and notebooks in my very hands was like her message in a bottle - so overwhelming and tender, it reverberates. Doing the research for the illustrations illuminated just how Gwendolyn Brooks overshadowed and transcended lack, limitation, oppression, and every established boundary line with the power of her discipline and the persistence of her love."