Hope

June 1, 1999
K-Gr 3-In this beautifully told and illustrated book, a young girl learns the story behind her name and to be proud of her biracial heritage. When her great-aunt Poogees friend asks if the child is mixed, Poogee says Baby, dont you pay Violet no never mind. But, of course, Hope does. That night at bedtime, Poogee explains to her that she is generations of faith mixed with lots of love. The lively, expressive full-page oil paintings depict Hopes fathers white immigrant ancestors arriving in America and her mothers enslaved ancestors toiling in the cotton fields. As Poogee tells her story, readers see Hopes African-American grandparents marching for equal rights, and her white grandparents, who are teachers. And best of all, they are shown the wedding of Hopes parents with their black and white families and friends celebrating together. A must-have title.Eunice Weech, M. L. King Elementary School, Urbana, IL

Copyright 1999 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.