By Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renee’ Watson, Illustrated by nikkolas Smith

Immediately drawn to this book with the “1619 Project” in the title, I was delighted with the beautiful poems which make up the content of the book. Each poem is thoughtful, of content, vocabulary, rhythm and true to the story of the African American plight in the time of slavery. Vacillating between hope and joy and fear and loss, this book delivers many emotions and helps the ready to understand the feelings of the Africans during this dark chapter of United States history. The reader is taken on the journey from the contented villages of Africa, over the dangerous and deadly ocean, to the new world.

The story begins with a simple school assignment. Students are asked to trace their roots. The young girls asks her grandmother about their family story, but feels ashamed. The grandmother tells her the whole story, with poetry throughout the book, until the girl realizes she has so much to feel proud of.

The term “born on the water” refers to the people who were stolen from their homes, endured the hardship of the crossing of the ocean in the horrific ships, and landed on shore with a new life. Not the one they had been born to, but a new one they had been forced into.

Minus the illustrations, these poems heard by middle schoolers, would be a powerful read by a teacher or parent. The illustrations are bold acrylic, and the artists has a style which is easily recognized from other books. Although this style of art is not what I would have chosen for this poetry book, I honor the authenticity of the illustrator and recognize his talent and many successes.