Go Tell It
How James Baldwin Became a Writer
$42.70
- Hardcover
40 pages
- Release Date
10 June 2025
Summary
Discover the story of young James Baldwin in this ode to the legendary writer and the power of the written word-with exquisite prose from acclaimed poet Quartez Harris, and breathtaking illustrations from a New York Times bestselling creator and Caldecott Honoree Gordon C. James.
The first time Jimmy read a book the words clung to him like glitter…
Before James Baldwin was a celebrated novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and activist, he wa…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780316483933 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 0316483931 |
| Author: | Quartez Harris, Gordon C. James |
| Publisher: | Little, Brown & Company |
| Imprint: | Little, Brown Young Readers |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 40 |
| Release Date: | 10 June 2025 |
| Weight: | 460g |
| Dimensions: | 264mm x 258mm x 12mm |
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What They're Saying
Critics Review
A Robert F. Sibert Information Book Award Honor
A BCCB Blue Ribbon Pick
An SLJ Best Book
A Kirkus Best Picture Book
An Ohio Reads Floyd’s Pick Book Award Honor Book
A Center for Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature Best Book
A Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Biography Award Winner
A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year
“With striking prose, mixed with poetic lyricism, and buoyant similes that drum through the pages like a heartbeat, Quartez Harris offers the story of a determined, young James Baldwin. Go Tell It will inspire readers as deeply as ‘words clung like glitter’ to one of America’s most prolific icons.” –Alicia D. Williams, Newbery and Coretta Scott King Honoree
“With striking prose, mixed with poetic lyricism, and buoyant similes that drum through the pages like a heartbeat, Quartez Harris gifts us the story of a determined, young James Baldwin. Go Tell It will inspire readers as deeply as “words clung like glitter” to one of America’s most prolific icons.” –Alicie D. Williams, award-winning author of Genesis Begins Again
“This picture biography brilliantly captures the fitful unfolding of a literary life…. this homage to James Baldwin is a triumph in its own right.” –Common Sense Media
“In a clear, dramatic narrative, Harris describes Baldwin’s struggle to move beyond police brutality and his stepfather’s ferocious preaching to develop his own healing message … James’s lush paintings, thick with color, beautifully capture Baldwin’s passage from fear to triumph.”–The Washington Post
* “Exceptional, a master class of a picture book biography overflowing with energy-infused words and pictures… an inspiring look at one of America’s most important writers.” –BookPage, starred review
“A beautiful tribute to Baldwin and the book that ignited his career.” –Horn Book
“Incredible writing, gorgeous art, and a book worthy of its subject.” –Betsy Bird / A Fuse 8 Production
* “Descriptive and poetic …especially recommended because it not only explains the growth of a successful writer, but it also can stimulate discussions of the ways in which reading and writing enrich our lives.” –Kirkus, starred review
* “Moving…. [the] illustrations have a dreamlike quality as they emphasize the love of words as a cornerstone of Baldwin’s life.” –Publishers Weekly, starred review
* “The narrative prose of this picture book biography is absolutely gorgeous, with cinematic imagery that showcases the beauty of Baldwin’s passion for writing…. The illustrations, rendered in oil paints, are similarly radiant.” –BCCB, (starred review)
* “In descriptive and poetic language, this book reveals how reading and writing were powerful motivators for young James Baldwin. … This book is especially recommended because it not only explains the growth of a successful writer, but it also can stimulate discussions of the ways in which reading and writing enrich our lives.” –School Library Journal, starred review
About The Author
Quartez Harris
Quartez Harris is a poet, teacher, and author. He was a Baldwin House fellow and named Ohio Poet of the Year for his book We Made It to School Alive, and his poetry has garnered numerous accolades. He spent many years as a second grade teacher in the Cleveland public school system, and currently spends his time writing and teaching poetry workshops. He lives in Ohio with his wife and son.
Gordon C. James is an award-winning fine artist specializing in figurative drawing and bestselling, award-winning illustrator. He illustrated Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, which received Caldecott, Newbery, and Coretta Scott King Illustrator honors, and I Am Every Good Thing, which won the Kirkus Prize, among others. He has worked for Hallmark as an illustrator and artist and taught at the University of North Carolina. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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