This is a picture book biography, written in poems, about Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks. It covers her childhood in the 1920's and 30's, not shying away from the racist attitudes that made it difficult for a young Black artist to succeed. Much of the story focuses on the frustrations of translating the vision in her head to the words on the page. At one point, Gwendolyn buries her drafts beneath a bush in the yard. This moment spoke to me, as it will likely speak to students, about the internal struggle of expression. But the message of hard work paying off, when Gwendolyn is awarded a Pulitzer Prize, reigns supreme. The illustrations are highly geometric, making bold use of contrast and negative space. Recommended for upper elementary and middle school.

Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks was born on June 7, 1917, growing up to become the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize. As the Poetry Foundation observes, “Gwendolyn Brooks is one of the most highly regarded, influential, and widely read poets of 20th-century American poetry. She was a much-honored poet, even in her lifetime . . . .”

This biography includes some of Brooks’ own poems interspersed with original verses about Brooks’ life, starting when Gwendolyn was 8 years old.

The author of this book for readers aged 5 and up reports that young Gwendolyn received a great deal of support from her parents. Gwendolyn loved to write, and she was so good, even at age 11, that a teacher accused her of plagiarism. The author reports:

“That is not so.
Mama grabs her hat, black purse, and gloves.
She marches Gwendolyn to the school.
Mrs. Brooks defends her precocious child.”

She had Gwendolyn write a poem for her teacher right then and there. She wrote:

“Forgive and Forget”

“If others neglect you,
Forget; do not sigh,
For, after all, they’ll select you
In times by and by.
If their taunts cut and hurt you,
They are sure to regret.
And if in time, they desert you,
Forgive and forget.”

The “Chicago Defender” published some of her poems. “One special day,” her mother declared, “She will be a poet like Paul Dunbar.” Dunbar, also a Black poet, was Gwendolyn’s favorite.

Gwendolyn went to college, still reading and writing poetry, while working at menial jobs to support herself. She married another poet, and continued honing her craft. Eventually, her poems won contests and began to appear in print. She collected her work into a book which she sent to a book publisher in New York. The publisher loved it, even asking for more poems, and the book eventually became A Street in Bronzeville.. A second book followed, Annie Allen, for which she won the greatest prize in poetry: the Pulitzer.

The author concludes:

“Mr. Brooks and Mrs. Brooks
Planted love and watered it.
Gwendolyn believed.
She found her light.
And -
A furious flower
GREW!”

An Author’s Note tells readers more about Gwendolyn Brooks, who also became the twenty-ninth poet laureate to the Library of Congress. There is also a timeline, suggested readings, and bibliography.

Illustrator Xia Gordon uses a palette dominated by warm, earth-toned pinks and browns

Evaluation: Like other books about persistent girls with dreams who let nothing stand in their way, this one could well have been titled: “Nothing Stopped Gwendolyn!” Young readers will find encouragement and inspiration in her story. ( )

Told through verse poems and interspersed with a collection of her own, we learn about the life of poet Gwendolyn Brooks. I thought this book was done in a really cool way. I loved that I learned about a poet through another poet's poetry. Each page uncovered a different aspect of her life and allowed us to see her progress as a poet. I also loved the illustrations and the way the story was laid out. ( )