And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and Resistance - by Supriya Kelkar (Hardcover)

About the Book

The Kohinoor diamond, one of the most famous diamonds in the world, was stolen from India and fought over throughout centuries of colonial conquest, eventually landing in the hands of British royals who tricked a ten-year-old South Asian monarch into relinquishing it. The diamond was ultimately cut to nearly half its size to suit British beauty standards for the crown jewels-and is displayed to this day in the Tower of London museum, a trophy of colonization. Probing, poetic, and shimmering with the colors and patterns of Indian textiles, And Yet You Shine is more than the true story of a precious gem passing hands. The urgent narrative and well-researched afterword invite readers to consider the origins of museum artifacts and all they represent, how history is recorded, and why acknowledging past injustices and power dynamics can shape the world we live in today-and ensure a just tomorrow. This vibrant and moving meditation on resiliency invites readers of all backgrounds to decolonize-and shine with all their might"--

Book Synopsis

The story of one of the world's most famous diamonds--stolen from South Asia during colonization and now among the crown jewels in London--is a call to action for readers to decolonize and hold their heads high.

The Kohinoor diamond, one of the most famous diamonds in the world, was stolen from India and fought over throughout centuries of colonial conquest, eventually landing in the hands of British royals who tricked a ten-year-old South Asian monarch into relinquishing it. The diamond was ultimately cut to nearly half its size to suit British beauty standards for the crown jewels--and is displayed to this day in the Tower of London museum, a trophy of colonization. Probing, poetic, and shimmering with the colors and patterns of Indian textiles, And Yet You Shine is more than the true story of a precious gem passing hands. The urgent narrative and well-researched afterword invite readers to consider the origins of museum artifacts and all they represent, how history is recorded, and why acknowledging past injustices and power dynamics can shape the world we live in today--and ensure a just tomorrow. This vibrant and moving meditation on resiliency invites readers of all backgrounds to decolonize--and shine with all their might.

Review Quotes

Kelkar's lyrical telling makes clear the dire results of colonial oppression. . . . Digitally enhanced cut-paper collage artwork dazzles the eye, from the teal-and-blue endpapers containing remnants of the gem's history, to the gleaming treasure whose light shines brightly, to depictions of other jewels with which it has shared company. . . . A gem not to be missed.
--Booklist (starred review)

Exquisite, powerful, and deeply moving, this book shines a spotlight on centuries of oppression and entreats readers to know that, despite injustice, nothing will ever dull their light.
--Christina Soontornvat, three-time Newbery Medal Honoree

And Yet You Shine is a beautifully told story that can help catalyze important conversations about colonization and its legacies.
--Simran Jeet Singh, historian, scholar, and author of Fauja Singh Keeps Going and The Light We Give

And Yet You Shine is one of the most unique--and best--picture books I've ever read. It is as powerful as it is important, as empowering as it is informative, and features stunning, gorgeous artwork unlike anything I've seen before. The marriage of Supriya Kelkar's words and artwork has produced her best book yet. And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and Resistance is an absolutely essential addition to every classroom and library.
--Jarrett Lerner, author-illustrator of A Work in Progress and creator of the EngiNerds, Geeger the Robot, and Hunger Heroes series

Stunning. What an incredible vessel for conversations about colonization, ownership, the claim to what is ours, and righting wrongs.
--Pernille Ripp, teacher, author of Passionate Readers, and founder of the Global Read Aloud

About the Author

Supriya Kelkar is an Indian-American author and mixed-media illustrator. In 2016, she won the Tu Books New Visions Award for her middle-grade novel Ahimsa. She is also the author of American As Paneer Pie; That Thing about Bollywood; The Cobra's Song; Brown Is Beautiful, illustrated by Noor Sofi; Bindu's Bindis illustrated by Parvati Pillai; and many other acclaimed middle-grade novels and picture books. And Yet You Shine is her debut picture book as author-illustrator. Supriya Kelkar lives in Michigan.