“Nelson deftly weaves in major events from the 1960s, such as President Kennedy’s assassination, the Birmingham church bombing, and The Beatles playing on The Ed Sullivan Show, along with themes from The Wizard of Oz, into a story that reminds readers, ‘A star can’t shine without a black night sky.’ VERDICT This gentle yet thought-provoking historical novel in verse is perfect for anyone who has wished to be somewhere or someone else.”
(School Library Journal, starred review)
“Charming and well-paced, Nelson’s slice-of-life verse novel invites readers to find the ways they shine … Sweet, soft, and moving, this is a novel that feels like a hug for Black readers and young girls who want to be their best selves. The historical setting grounds the narrative, but it will still resonate loudly with readers of today. A natural choice for older fans of Carol Boston Weatherford and readers of Christopher Paul Curtis.”
(Booklist)
“Nelson has created a likable character in Cooper, and this quiet, introspective novel (with some moments of levity; e.g., Cooper’s embrace of Beatlemania) effectively examines what it means to forgive along with the importance of family.”
(The Horn Book)
“This verse novel examines complex themes of identity, forgiveness, self-love, and self-actualization through writing that’s accessible to young readers. Nelson intentionally and deftly uses details to situate the novel with history, and she’s crafted an endearing, three-dimensional protagonist in Cooper, whose voice and authentic struggle to make sense of her experiences will resonate in a work that presents fertile ground for discussion. A complex yet accessible exploration of self-actualization, presented in full color.”
(Kirkus Reviews)
“Nelson presents an emotive glimpse into the civil rights era via Cooper’s careful internal monologue and nuanced characterization.”
(Publishers Weekly)
“Warm, charming, and utterly necessary, this beautiful work of historical fiction is a classic in the making. Young readers will certainly devour and adore it.”
(Linda Williams Jackson, author of The Lucky Ones)
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“A great book for early readers.”
(School Library Journal)
“[B]rutal, enlightening, hopeful, and realistic. An important piece of history, the book is a treasure and will require classroom discussion.”
(School Library Journal, starred review)
“Bostic’s evocative illustrations add tenderness to a narrative of real terror … An important addition to civil rights movement literature with which readers can connect on a human level.”
(The Horn Book, starred review)
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