 |
| Image Retrieved From: Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice: Browne, Mahogany L., Acevedo, Elizabeth, Gatwood, Olivia, Taylor III, Theodore, Reynolds, Jason: 9781250311207: Amazon.com: Books |
Woke is a beautiful collection of poems by Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Olivia Gatwood. Each one is over a different topic surrounding social justice and activism. I'm honestly surprised, but pleasantly so, that a book of this nature would be nominated for an Arkansas award. In alphabetical order by topic, each poem encompasses different themes such as ableism, community, resourcefulness, and stereotyping in ways that are more accessible and developmentally appropriate for elementary-aged children. The word "woke" is often a buzzword that doesn't really mean anything in modern media, so the authors do an excellent job of prefacing the book with an explanation of what "woke" means and how it is tied to activism.
My Impressions and How I Would Use this Book:
I think this would be excellent for instruction in grades 3-6. In all grades, I would use it for a poetry unit to illustrate the intersection poetry has always had with activism, hopefully tying in some SEL as well, but I would modify the main assessment depending on grade level and student readiness. In lower grades, I would have students identify the topic of certain poems and ask them comprehension questions. In higher grades, I would have students write responses to certain poems or select a topic to write their own poem about. I would use the poem "Say the Names" to introduce social change concepts or a culture changer project, where students would select one person from the poem and condcut a research project.
Professional Review:
Poets Browne (Black Girl Magic, illustrated by Jess X. Snow, 2018), Acevedo (The Poet X, 2018), and Gatwood (Life of the Party, 2019) team up to offer a collection that calls young readers to awareness and justice.
Browne’s introduction explains what it means to be woke—“aware of your surroundings”—and connects this awareness to historical movements for justice, stating, “this is where our freedom begins.” The poems are assigned subject headings located next to the page numbers, in nearly alphabetical order, for easy access when flipping through this slim volume for inspiration. Some poems cover quiet topics that nourish individuals and relationships, such as body positivity, forgiveness, individuality, and volunteerism. Other poems are louder, calling for lifted voices. In “Activism, Everywhere,” Browne writes, “It is resisting to be comfortable / When we all have yet to feel safe and free”; her protest poem, titled “Right To, After Claude McKay,” powerfully echoes McKay’s historic verses while reversing the premise: “If we must live, let it not be in silence.” A resistance poem by Acevedo urges readers to “Rock the Boat,” and Gatwood’s poem on privilege asks, “What’s in My Toolbox?” Identity issues are covered too, with poems on disability, gender, immigration, and intersectionality. Each of the 24 poems is an irresistible invitation to take up space in community and in society, and each is eminently recitable, taking its own place in the spoken-word tradition. Taylor’s bold and colorful illustrations complement the poems without distracting from their power; Jason Reynolds contributes a foreword.
Read it; gift it; use it to challenge, protect, and grow. (Picture book/poetry. 8-18)
Audience: Children's
*Starred Review*
ISBN: 978-1-250-31120-7
Author: Browne, Mahogany L.
Comments
Post a Comment