Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks
by
Suzanne Slade
illustrated by
Cozbi A. Cabrera
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Abrams
Imprint
Abrams
ISBN
9781419734113
Awards and Honors
2021 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
2021 Sibert Honor Book
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
None
Gwendolyn Brooks (1917–2000) is known for her poems about “real life.” She wrote about love, loneliness, family, and poverty—showing readers how just about anything could become a beautiful poem. Exquisite follows Gwendolyn from early girlhood into her adult life, showcasing her desire to write poetry from a very young age. This picture-book biography explores the intersections of race, gender, and the ubiquitous poverty of the Great Depression—all with a lyrical touch worthy of the subject. Gwendolyn Brooks was the first Black person to win the Pulitzer Prize, receiving the award for poetry in 1950. And in 1958, she was named the poet laureate of Illinois. A bold artist who from a very young age dared to dream, Brooks will inspire young readers to create poetry from their own lives.
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
None
Details
Format
Page Count
48
Trim Size
8 1/2" x 10 1/2"
Dewey
B
AR
4.8: points 0.5
Lexile
870L
Genre
Nonfic
Scholastic Reading Counts
0
JLG Release
Jul 2020
Book Genres
Picture Book, Autobiography/Biography
Topics
Gwendolyn Brooks (1917–2000). Twentieth-century American poetry. African American poets. Biography. Chicago, Illinois. Poverty. Girls and women.
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Praise & Reviews
Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:
School Library Journal*
Praise & Reviews
School Library Journal
Gwendolyn Brooks (1917–2000) was inspired to write poetry from an early age. When she wasn’t dreaming on her back porch, she was filling notebooks with observations about nature and everyday life in her Chicago neighborhood. Themes of racial injustice, hunger, and poverty stood alongside depictions of joy and wonder in her work. Brooks dedicated her life to writing; she won contests, got published, and eventually became the first black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1950. The biography’s awestruck, reverent tone is matched by the gorgeous acrylic paintings. Bright palettes of pink, orange, blue, and green evoke the influence of nature in Brooks’s work. There is a lovely contrast between the illustrations of lush outdoor sunsets and the beautifully rendered moments that depict her home life. The only thing missing from the text is more excerpts from Brooks’s poetry. Shining a spotlight on the poet’s own words would have enriched the context of her life story and shown how life can influence art and vice versa. Extensive back matter includes a poem by 15-year-old Brooks titled “Clouds,” an author’s note, a time line, source notes, and a bibliography. A visually remarkable and inspiring introduction to the life of Gwendolyn Brooks. Recommended for purchase in most collections.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 3-Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000) was inspired to write poetry from an early age. When she wasn't dreaming on her back porch, she was filling notebooks with observations about nature and everyday life in her Chicago neighborhood. Themes of racial injustice, hunger, and poverty stood alongside depictions of joy and wonder in her work. Brooks dedicated her life to writing; she won contests, got published, and eventually became the first black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1950. The biography's awestruck, reverent tone is matched by the gorgeous acrylic paintings. Bright palettes of pink, orange, blue, and green evoke the influence of nature in Brooks's work. There is a lovely contrast between the illustrations of lush outdoor sunsets and the beautifully rendered moments that depict her home life. The only thing missing from the text is more excerpts from Brooks's poetry. Shining a spotlight on the poet's own words would have enriched the context of her life story and shown how life can influence art and vice versa. Extensive back matter includes a poem by 15-year-old Brooks titled "Clouds," an author's note, a time line, source notes, and a bibliography. VERDICT A visually remarkable and inspiring introduction to the life of Gwendolyn Brooks. Recommended for purchase in most collections.-Kristy Pasquariello, Westwood Public Library, MA?(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Grades 2-6
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Biographies,Diversity,Nonfiction,Science/STEAM
Grades 2-6
Biography Elementary Plus
14 books per Year
$297.36 per Year
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