Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance - by Nikki Grimes (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year A Book Page Best Book of the Year, Middle Grade An NCTE Best Poetry Book of the Year A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Poetry A Kirkus Prize Finalist, Young Readers' Literature

For centuries, accomplished women--of all races--have fallen out of the historical records. The same is true for gifted, prolific, women poets of the Harlem Renaissance who are little known, especially as compared to their male counterparts.

In this poetry collection, bestselling author Nikki Grimes uses "The Golden Shovel" poetic method to create wholly original poems based on the works of these groundbreaking women--and to introduce readers to their work.

Each poem is paired with one-of-a-kind art from today's most exciting female African American illustrators: Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Cozbi A. Cabrera, Nina Crews, Pat Cummings, Laura Freeman, Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Ebony Glenn, April Harrison, Vashti Harrison, Ekua Holmes, Cathy Ann Johnson, Keisha Morris, Daria Peoples-Riley, Andrea Pippins, Erin Robinson, Shadra Strickland, Nicole Tadgell, and Elizabeth Zunon.

Legacy also includes a foreword, an introduction to the history of the Harlem Renaissance, author's note, and poet biographies, which make this a wonderful resource and a book to cherish.

Review Quotes

"This book is exquisitely rendered. . . . a timely, healing mirror to a new generation of readers. . . . Black girls everywhere, this collection is salve and sanctuary." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"An abundantly layered landscape of Black female experiences." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A compelling reflection on gender, race, politics, and everyday life. . . . A striking collection of voices, who examine and celebrate the experience of Black women from the past and present. An excellent introduction to Black women writers who were ignored by history." --School Library Journal, starred review

"A compelling dialogue with the past." --BCCB, starred review

"[A] tour de force of a poetry collection . . . Grimes lays claim to an amazing artistic legacy on every page, her poetic rejoinders building a stirring call and response." --BookPage, starred review

"Remarkable. . . The art here is unified in its emphasis on portraying the beauty and uniqueness of Black girls and women. . . . This unique title is sure to spark thought and touch hearts." --Booklist

"The eloquent and stirring voices of Grimes and her counterparts of the past resonate with passion, purpose, and resilience." --The Horn Book Magazine

"The beautifully written Legacy will make anyone, regardless of age, sex or race, feel a sense of pride in being a citizen of the world." --Shelf Awareness

About the Author

Nikki Grimes is a New York Times bestselling author; a 2023 inductee into the Black Authors Hall of Fame; and a recipient of the Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement, the ALAN Award, the Children's Literature Legacy Award, the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award, and the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Her distinguished works include the Printz Honor and Sibert Honor book Ordinary Hazards, the Coretta Scott King Award winner Bronx Masquerade and five Coretta Scott King Author Honors, the NAACP Image Award nominee Planet Middle School, the ALA Notable Book Southwest Sunrise, and A Cup of Quiet. She lives in Corona, California.
www.nikkigrimes.com