Kin: Rooted in Hope

by Carole Boston Weatherford, Jeffery Boston Weatherford (Illustrator)

A powerful portrait of a Black family tree shaped by enslavement and freedom, rendered in searing poems by acclaimed author Carole Boston Weatherford and stunning art by her son Jeffery Boston Weatherford.

I call their names:
Abram Alice Amey Arianna Antiqua
I call their names:
Isaac Jake James Jenny Jim
Every last one, property of the Lloyds,
the state’s preeminent enslavers.
Every last one, with a mind of their own
and a story that ain’t yet been told.
Till now.

Carole and Jeffery Boston Weatherford’s ancestors are among the founders of Maryland. Their family history there extends more than three hundred years, but as with the genealogical searches of many African Americans with roots in slavery, their family tree can only be traced back five generations before going dark. And so from scraps of history, Carole and Jeffery have conjured the voices of their kin, creating an often painful but ultimately empowering story of who their people were in a breathtaking book that is at once deeply personal yet all too universal.

Carole’s poems capture voices ranging from her ancestors to Frederick Douglass to Harriet Tubman to the plantation house and land itself that connects them all, and Jeffery’s evocative illustrations help carry the story from the first mention of a forebear listed as property in a 1781 ledger to he and his mother’s homegoing trip to Africa in 2016. Shaped by loss, erasure, and ultimate reclamation, this is the story of not only Carole and Jeffery’s family, but of countless other Black families in America.

Genres: Poetry, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Novel In Verse, Historical, African American, Young Adult

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 19, 2023

About the author

Carole Boston Weatherford is a children's book author and poet who mines the past for family stories, traditions, and struggles. A number of CAROLE's books tell the stories of African-American historical figures such as Harriet Tubman, Jesse Owens, and Billie Holiday. Other books recount historical events such as the Greensboro Sit-ins and the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. CAROLE's books have received a wide variety of awards, including a Caldecott Honour for “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom”.

Reviews

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

At some point everyone who is a decedent of slaves wants to know more about their ancestry. And after a trip to Senegal Carole and her son finding This was a different type of reader because of the format being a series of poems. It's like part memoir but some of that memoir is assumed and some of it highlights important African American figures that are not direct ancestors of the author. I actually forgot while reading that this is a book for middle grade readers and assumed it was YA. I think it would be a good book for middle schoolers to read though because of it's easy to digest approach to Black history.

[Katherine Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genealogy is a very different, and engaging, version of history. if you watch "Finding Your Roots" at all, you find that so many people, black and white, know so little about their history. there are so many reasons for this. Sometimes the memory of those lost, and how they are lost, is too painful to share with the following generations. sometimes, as for the authors of this book, it's because history purposefully tried to wipe out that history by denying people the access to preserve it.

Every effort to restore what little survives is critical to our future. If we forget genocide, it will happen again. If we discount the evils of slavery, will we recognize it when it puts on a new coat to return in the hands of people who want profit over dignity? When we refuse to acknowledge the Holocaust, proudly documented in detail by its perpetrators for posterity, we are paving the way for its return.

This book is a heroic effort to restore Maryland's history of a family enslaved by its founders. It is beautiful poetry imagining what family members endured.

it is the One Book for Maryland this year. A side note as to why this felt particularly appropriate for residents of the state. as I've traveled from Frederick to the Atlantic beaches, I've often passed landmarks relating to the Wye House. I don't remember thinking much or deeply about what that was. Now I know it was one of the biggest plantations in Maryland, owned by one of the wealthiest slave owning families who were founders of the state.

Frederick lies at a significant distance from this plantation. A Catholic school/convent in Frederick was closed in the last few years here. It has been "renovated" into a hotel with a fancy restaurant called "Wye House." while it is true that one of our governors owned slaves just up the road from here, and farms throughout Frederick County owned slaves before the Civil War, I wonder why the developer thought this was a wise commemorative choice, especially given the nonexistent connection to Frederick.

I will be exploring exactly what connection is advertised on the premises, but I will not be giving it my money.

[Paige (pagebypaigebooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“One acorn can grow a tree and seed a forest. Or a family tree.”

I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.

Instagram Post

Blog Post

Content Warnings: racism, slavery, death

Kin: Rooted in Hope is a powerful novel in verse where the author recounts the story of her genealogy. The beautiful prose added a very personal element to the story. We followed the history of Carole and Jeffery's ancestors along with their own journey in researching and discovering their stories. Throughout the book, many different perspectives and generations throughout history are explored. There are also sections pertaining to important historical figures and events. The beautiful illustrations added another layer of complexity to the prose and immerse the reader into the story.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: KIN Rooted in Hope
AUTHOR: Carole Boston Weatherford
ILLUSTRATION: Jeffrey Boston Weatherford
PUB DATE: 09.19.2023 Preorder Now

I call their names:
Abram Alice Amey Arianna Antiqua
I call their names:
Isaac Jake James Jenny Jim
Every last one, property of the Lloyds,
the state’s preeminent enslavers.
Every last one, with a mind of their own
and a story that ain’t yet been told.
Till now.

Carole Boston Weatherford writes about her own family tree, a genealogy rooted in slavery, telling their story through their kin. In a beautiful book of poetry that is deeply personal and powerful, and within this book are the beautiful art by Carole’s son Jeffrey, to illustrate the voices of those enslaved and erased, to evoke the story and the voices of the African diaspora.

A middle grade novel in verse that is a must read, and one that can explain family roots, ancestors, and history so beautifully.

[Kathleen Rottier · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this as the One Maryland, One Book selection in 2025 by the Maryland Humanities Council and library system. Other novels I've read in past years areThe Invention of Wings, The Island of Sea Women, and The Boys in the Boat.
This story is a true story of the slaves who worked the Wye Plantation on Maryland's eastern shore. Frederick Doulgass is mentioned ss a young slave on the plantation. The collection of short poems relates their capture in Africa, voyage, sale/purchase on the Annapolis wharf, and between plantations in the 1700's and beyond, focusing on the Wye Plantation.
From an historical perspective it was interesting. The poems were interwoven in a skillful way to tell the true story.

[Jaimes_Mystical_Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great MG non-fiction poetry read. This book was outside of my comfort genre, but I did find it to be a good read. Kin: Rooted In Hope covered some heavy and important topics and was so beautifully written. I loved how this book had illustrations throughout it as well.

[Gabriel Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how much this book would capture my students' attention, but I still acknowledge the power it holds within its storytelling.

I think there are a few poems that could be used for close reads in particular. There are lots of interesting craft moves made in telling this extremely personal story.

[Christiana Doucette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lyrical exploration of the author's heritage through the voices of her ancestors. This is a powerful walk through the history of a family that served generations of slave holders in Maryland. The author's research is impeccable. And the poetic telling will touch your heart and keeping you reading.

[Tamsyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written novel in verse about the author's search for her geneaology into her enslaved roots. Her research is reimagined through the eyes of the ancestors she discovers and to whom she gives voice, along with some historical figures and even some inanimate objects.

[Neta Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read this book for a book club discussion. It is a powerful, impactful read, with poetic prose that rips and tears at hearts. Our ancestors are remembered...they speak and fix their eyes on us here, in the present, in a way that shines a light on me. On us. The illustrations are the perfect complement, bringing those souls to life. This is a One Maryland Book!! I highly recommend you read.

Blessings ❤️🙏🏼

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Weatherfords—a mother-son duo—pay tribute to their enslaved ancestors’ pain and resilience across generations in this moving collection of illustrated poems, inspired by Alex Haley’s Roots.

[Lisa Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a powerful book. Sometimes the verse format, and lack of punctuation made it difficult to read, but having to spend more time on it actually made me appreciate it more.

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend. Powerful words and illustrations.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beautiful and raw illustration are the real stars of this book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book written through poetry that traces the family lineage back to a plantation in Md.

[Amy Tippett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is considered YA but I’m not sure why. Maybe because publishers think a graphic novel which is kind of a memoir isn’t “adult” enough. The artwork is gorgeous and the fact that the artist is the free verse writer’s son makes it even more special. I think this is the kind of book you have to read several times to catch everything and there are huge gaps in my historical knowledge so I’m sure I missed many things.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Door of No Return will love this MG novel in verse by the mother-son team.
🌍
Carole and Jeffrey Boston Weatherford’s ancestors helped found the state of Maryland. Their family ancestors goes back three hundred years to slavery, but, unlike many others, from there they can trace it even further to their African roots. While they were researching their family they found many facts about their past that they share through #poetry and artwork about Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, their land and their own Homegoing journey in 2016.
🌳
This book will pair well when studying family genealogy, African Studies, and/or biographies or poetry. This probably won’t be a pleasure read for many kids, but it’s so important and I can see it being one you can tie to curriculum or pair with fiction and other nonfiction texts. This book releases September 19.

CW: slavery, death

[Patricia Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weatherford continues to deliver life stories grounded in black history. This heavily researched saga takes the reader from Goree Island, Africa to the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The verse novel gives interesting peeks into the lives of her ancestors. Always a clever writer, this showcases Carole’s wordsmithing at its best. Her son Jeffery brilliantly uses scratchboard to add to the mood of the story. Together they have created a stunning piece of art; a masterpiece.

I am lucky to call Carole ‘friend.’ She has spent time with us at Salisbury University in Maryland, and we revel in her many wonderful picture books from which we continue to learn about black history’s often overlooked stories. I was pleased to see Jeffery’s scratchboard portrait of his mother on page 198. It looks just like her!

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not your typical Weatherford children's book. It's a personal memoir, told in verse, from the point of view of her various ancestors. Unfortunately it can be difficult for many in the Black community to trace their ancestry and her years of research were a labor of love. The scratch board art by her son was a nice addition in the imaging of these stories. There were many different points of view and that was a little confusing. This first reading was interesting and informative but I would not reread. ARC from NetGalley

[Kim Bartosch · Rating 5 out of 5]

KIN by Carole Boston Weatherford is a profoundly moving and important literary work that delves into the history of a black family's lineage, chronicling the hardships, injustices, and indomitable spirit of their ancestors. The book, with its exquisite poems and captivating artwork by Jeffery Boston Weatherford, is a testament to the resilience and strength of a community that endured unimaginable suffering under the yoke of slavery.

My initial reaction upon reading KIN was one of feeling like an imposter, as though I had intruded into the Weatherford family's private history. The narrative is so intimate and personal that it's as if I had visited their home and borrowed their family Bible to immerse myself in their heritage. However, this feeling of intrusion serves as a testament to Weatherford's ability to draw readers into their family tree, making the experiences of their ancestors palpable and deeply affecting.

This book may not be the typical young adult fare that many would eagerly pick up and devour, but it is a literary masterpiece deserving of recognition akin to a Pulitzer Prize. Carole Boston Weatherford's writing is poignant, and her words are elegantly woven into a narrative that feels like a eulogy for a bygone era, paying homage to those who suffered and endured.

The heart of KIN lies in the history of the Weatherford family's connection to the Lloyd Family and Wye House, where their ancestors were enslaved. The book sheds light on the lives of individuals like Frederick Douglass, one of the most prominent figures in American history, who emerged from the shackles of slavery to become a beacon of hope and change. The inclusion of Weatherford's great-great-grandfather, Isaac Cooper, who served in the U.S. Colored Troops, parallels the story of the movie "Glory" and the sacrifices made by African Americans during the Civil War.

As an educator and parent, I wholeheartedly believe that KIN should be required reading in history classes across the nation. It not only provides an invaluable perspective on African-American history but also resonates deeply with the broader narrative of American history. The poems contained within this book are both powerful and lyrical, allowing readers to connect emotionally with the characters and their experiences. Jeffery Boston Weatherford's artwork complements the words perfectly, serving as a visual melody that vividly depicts the hardships, losses, and injustices faced by the Weatherford family and their ancestors.

In the same vein as our collective commitment to remember the Holocaust, KIN serves as a poignant reminder that we must remember and learn from the injustices of the past so that they may never befall our fellow Americans or humanity as a whole again. Carole Boston Weatherford and Jeffery Boston Weatherford have crafted a work of art that is not only a tribute to their family but also a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of all those who have suffered and persevered in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, KIN is a literary masterpiece that transcends genre and age, offering readers a deeply emotional and educational journey into the heart of American history. It is a book that will leave an indelible mark on those who read it, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a profound and meaningful exploration of the African-American experience.

[Rebecca Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, September 2023) is a unique and personal account of the author’s search for her genealogical roots. As Alex Haley did for his adult novelization of his ancestor’s stories, Weatherford travels to Africa and scours census records and ship records to find her Black ancestors who had been kidnapped and enslaved against their well. The result is a poetic exploration of the lives of her enslaved ancestors.

Weatherford’s poetic free verse exploration includes accounts of the things she’s researched about her ancestors, a quest quite difficult for Black Americans descended from the enslaved. She researched property records, cemeteries, censuses, and ship records, and she herself visited Africa. She uses shifting perspectives, starting and ending with her own search for her heritage. She gives a “voice” to the non-living: the Chesapeake River, archeological evidence of the past, the enslavers plantation. Then she gives voice, as background, to generations of the Lloyd family, who were the enslavers of Weatherford’s ancestors.

A prose excerpt from Frederick Douglass’s narrative ties the Wye House families to the enslaved people on Weatherford’s own family tree. As Weatherford then returns to her own poems, some of the dots connect. Using all that she knows, Weatherford gives voice to Isaac, Nan, Katy, and others, including at least a dozen enslaved people who truly lived and served at Wye House in Maryland from the late 1700s through the Civil War and even into the Reconstruction Era.

Black-and-white scratchboard art illustrates the book, giving us an image of the ghosts to accompany their voices. In some places, the multiplicity of voices may feel incomplete. This seems appropriate to me, for the complete history of these individuals remains incomplete and unrecorded in print for future generations. Despite the sometimes disjointed or incomplete vision, the author’s journey through her past is nicely captured. She says, “I saw my kin in a blinding new light. . . . I’m blessed that their souls now breathe in me.” Kin: Rooted in Hope is a sometimes painful reminder of all that the enslaved lost but also the touching truths that we learn from their heroic lives.

Kin would be a great choice for younger readers seeking Black ancestral narratives, and it serves as a compelling child-appropriate alternative to Roots (see my review). Alex Haley delved into his family’s past to uncover truths and traditions, and Weatherford embarks on a similar quest. With sensitivity and poetic taste, she sheds light on the lives and relationships of the often overlooked enslaved individuals. She introduces the young reader to some of the complexities of Black history and the impact these enslaved people can have on us today.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance review copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Amanda M. Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kin : Rooted in Hope is a beautiful collection of poetry and woodcut style art by the mother and son team of Carole and Jeffery Boston Weatherford, who sought to connect with and relate the story of their ancestors and made a powerful narrative about the complex mingling of complex pride and painful loss found in the process. As is true for many descendants of enslaved Black Americans, Carol found that the lines of her family tree could only be traced back five generations largely because the journey across the ocean and the deliberate destruction of ancestral and personal heritage inherent in colonizer structures and the act of enslavement sought to erase the memories and spirits of those who were captured and brought to the Americas against their will by powerful white families who sough to build powerful riches on the backs of other people's lives. And is also all too often true, this means that the ancestors she and her son found were a blend of the enslaved and those who held power over them, the Lloyd's fathered children in unwanted relationships as willfully as they held sway over all else in their plantation fiefdoms. Nevertheless, she also found the story of their journey out of slavery, into freedom, and toward building a new beginning for themselves and others after serving in the civil war and building communities which enriched everyone and helped the folks there to gain their feet and begin to thrive. Carol and Jeffery Boston Weatherford also weave the narrative with beautifully rendered works of art that act to ground the poems and sections of the narrative which discuss the potential connections between themselves and such powerful figures as Frederick Douglas and Francis Scott Key as complex as these connections ultimately are.

Kin is the story of one family's past and the complex journey toward understanding the roots of one's personal path, but it is also an example of what so many Black families experience with their genealogies and continuing sense of generational trauma and loss as Americans who continue to grow up feeling disenfranchised and victimized even in the face of all that has been promised to them as citizens of a supposedly free nation. If the facts and all too often sanitized details of the enslavement of Black Americans found in history books leaves one understanding only so much about the enormity of the loss and destruction that is carried by their descendants today, I feel this book is a good starting point to better becoming aware of these truths before embarking on even deeper understanding and confrontation of what must be done to restore what was lost in the name of power and avarice and begin to address what must be done now to heal and make reparations for these transgressions.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carole Boston Weatherford, together with her son Jeffrey, have created a moving account of her enslaved ancestors. Facts and likelihoods about the Copper family of Maryland were gleaned from many sources, showing that the author did a huge amount of sleuthing. This really is a very personal imagining of her family, but the facts and emotions around the experience of an enslaved person are very real. Among the pages of verse are facts about life on a slave ship, plantation life, and much about the white family that enslaved the Coppers. Each one or two page poem, mostly free verse, is from the point of view of a person or important thing: an archaeologist, white men and women of the Lloyd family who enslaved the Coppers, the sloop Rachel that carried enslaved people from Africa, Wye House, where many Lloyds and Coppers lived, a Chesapeake Bay retriever dog, Francis Scott Key (who married into the Lloyd family, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.

Every verse, even the limericks, are poignant and pack an emotional punch. There is an element of personal searching, as Weatherford asks many questions of the reader, which of course we cannot answer, and of her ancestors. Just posing the questions paints a picture of pain and desolation – which slave-trading ship did you arrive on?, Where did the surname of Copper originate? How many times did you change hands? The typeface lends authenticity to the accounts, as it mimics a colonial era font. The scratchboard illustrations look moving, although the quality of their reproduction in this ARC is too poor to say more. There’s a bibliography at the end.

This book is almost a personal memoir, but so much is speculation that it makes sense to consider it as fiction. However, the speculative nature of investigating one’s enslaved ancestors makes for a intense experience that gives a reader a realistic view of an enslaved person’s experience.

My one criticism: the poems were from so many points of view, interspersed with speculation, that sometimes the book felt hard to follow.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book
The experience of reading Carole Boston Weatherford’s powerful poetry tracing family’s slave roots and history is more than doubled by the incredible black and white artwork of her son Jeffrey Boston Weatherford. The alternating pages of black on white and white on black text as well as illustrations reinforces the depth, emotions, research, painful truths which both the author and illustrator have created. The tortured path of discovering one’s ancestors is often nigh on impossible for blacks whose history is denoted by lists of names of slaves who were property of white slaveholders. Only a rare few had last names of their own.
Carole’s poems speak for slaves, enslavers, adults, children, slave ships, plantations and great houses. They record the cruelty, desperation, hopelessness, powerlessness of the enslaved, the pride, entitlement slave owners who looked at the slaves as unfeeling livestock, unworthy of proper food, clothing, abodes, care, and sold them away if they grew old, sick, problematic. They were inheritances, bought workers not living people.
The illustrations of Jeffrey Boston Weatherford are amazing. He describes his work, this “body of illustrations to help tell the story of my ancestors” as an obligation and means to to inspire others “to explore their roots and reclaim their history — the good, the bad, and the ugly.” He does not explain the how of his illustrations, but they remind me of when we used to densely color, a piece of paper with a dark crayon, and then scratch/etch our designs into them. The depth of emotion, detail, facial expressions, his creativity, the diversityof his images both of people and objects is absolutely incredible. I feel that he was cheated of a Caldecott or Coretta Scott King Illustrator medal or honor award.

[Rahel Charikar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Kin: Rooted in Hope" by Carole Boston Weatherford and Jeffery Boston Weatherford is a powerful and poignant exploration of a Black family's history, shaped by the intertwined legacies of enslavement and freedom. Through searing poems and stunning artwork, the Weatherfords craft a compelling narrative that transcends their personal story to resonate with the broader Black American experience.

The book begins with a haunting list of names, individuals owned by the Lloyds, powerful enslavers in Maryland. The authors deftly give voice to these individuals, breathing life into their stories, their resilience, and their unyielding spirit. With each page turn, the reader is transported to a different time and place, from the plantations of the past to the struggles and triumphs of luminaries like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.

Carole Boston Weatherford's poems are a masterclass in capturing the essence of each character, while Jeffery Boston Weatherford's evocative illustrations bring the narrative to life, bridging the gap between the distant past and the present.

"Kin" is not just a family's history; it's a universal tale of resilience, loss, erasure, and reclamation that resonates with countless Black families in America. It's a reminder that despite the darkness of history, hope endures, and stories untold can find their voices. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the profound and complex tapestry of Black history in the United States.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Before Alex Haley's novel Roots
proved otherwise, few Black people
thought it possible to trace ancestry
beyond the cold heart of enslavement
to the warm sun of Africa.

My thoughts, initial impression: This is one of those books that just give off Important and Significant vibes. It just screams, "I am a serious book about a serious subject--be in awe of me." I have a love-hate relationship with heavy, "serious" books. Part of me feels obligated to keep up and read every Serious book that comes out just in case they end up winning a literary award. That's why I checked it out from the library.

Premise/plot: Kin is written ALL in verse. There is not a single narrator or protagonist. Not every speaker [narrator] is human. Some of the poems are, I believe, written from the point of view or perspective of more abstract speakers. (Places, objects, abstract subjects?) The premise is that she is giving an account of her ancestry or family tree. That's what it's about on the most surface-level. I think it probably has layers to it.

My thoughts: I found it confusing. I am not objectively saying that it IS confusing just that I found it to be so. It's like some readers see a beautiful cross-stitch embroidery, and I'm seeing the back of it. Poetry can be intimidating. Especially when each poem is from a different speaker, different point of view...especially when the reader is the one mostly responsible for piecing together the poems. Is it worth putting in the work? Maybe. Probably. I don't know because I didn't go the extra mile.

[Andrzeja Latkowska · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book's structure is unique, employing a series of poems that give voice to various ancestors, both named and unnamed. These verses are not merely artistic expressions but are grounded in meticulous research, including historical documents, genealogical charts, and even personal family lore. This approach allows readers to witness the lives of individuals who were often denied a voice in historical records.

One of the standout features of Kin is its ability to humanize the abstract concept of ancestry. By focusing on personal stories, Weatherford transforms genealogical data into vivid portraits of resilience, love, and survival. The poems are interspersed with illustrations that capture the essence of these narratives, offering readers a visual connection to the past.

Thematically, the book addresses the complexities of identity, heritage, and the enduring impact of history on the present. It challenges readers to reflect on the importance of knowing one's roots and the power of storytelling in preserving history. The collaboration between mother and son adds a layer of intimacy to the work, underscoring the personal nature of the journey undertaken.

In conclusion, Kin: Rooted in Hope is more than a genealogical exploration; it is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of remembering and honoring one's ancestors. It serves as an educational tool and a source of inspiration, reminding readers of the enduring legacy of those who came before.

[Virginia McGee Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I review Kin: Rooted in Hope, a verse novel by Carole Boston Weatherford that is beautifully illustrated by her son Jeffery Boston Weatherford, I am going to suggest starting with the author’s and illustrator’s notes in the back. These notes will give a glimpse of the heart and perspective behind the book and set the stage for the book’s story.

In the book, the Weatherfords trace their family tree using Carole’s exquisite free verse and Jeffrey’s striking art. Dealing with mere scraps of their history and with ancestors that may never have had a last name, they piece together what they can trace for five generations and add informed conjecture to reach a forebear listed in 1781 as “property” to create a moving account of their “kin” who are rooted in hope and reaching toward freedom. Included in the narrative are voices of the slaveholder’s family and of freedom activists Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman.

My favorite line comes near the end of the book. “. . . My offspring / will learn to read, write, and cypher, / and will bow to no man – only to God.” There is no way to choose which piece of art is my favorite since I found myself lingering over each one.

Kin is listed for “ten and up.” I would say the “up” has no limit. I can see this book making for good discussion between adults and young people who read it together whether that is in a classroom or in a home setting.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The One Maryland One Book for 2025. Your heart will be full after reading it - full of sadness at the harrowing situations that enslaved people in Maryland suffered through, but also full of hope, as the author is at the end when she learns about her kinship with her forebears and is able to trace some of her complicated family history. This is a deep dive into the Wye House plantation, the people who lived there (both slavers and enslaved), and is told throughout in poems written not only from their perspectives, but from the perspectives of inanimate objects like the mirrors in the house, the flowing Chesapeake river, the archeologist who unearths artifacts from the plantation centuries later, the vessel that brought enslaved Africans across the ocean to this land. With so much research and specificity, the author (and her son, who did the stunning illustrations) could only produce a work of remarkable poignancy and realism, while also remaining beautifully poetic. I love that she learned and shared her history in this way.

Favorite quotes: "Wouldn't I sense their presence? Wouldn't I hear their cries on the wind, taste their tears in the salt air, see their ghosts walking on water" (6)?
The Wye River house buries its past and is "Vain without apology. I collect mirrors. But I cannot face history's reflection" (18).
"Frayed symbols unravel, revealing threads of truth" (145).

[Paige V · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author gives a poetic outlook on her family's History.

This book tells stories in the poems written about Mrs. and Mr. Weatherford's ancestors. A mother and a son duo try to trace their family tree. Journey on because these stories are not without emotion.

This book is set from colonial America to the Reconstruction of the Civil War. The illustrations (black and white scratchboard art) were well done and helped perpetuate the story's emotions. I loved how some poems and illustrations are light-colored pages while others are darker-colored. That color scheme was pretty cool. The writing style was exceptional and captured what the story was about. I felt terrible for the enslaved at the time and rooted for her family.

I loved how some poems and illustrations are light-colored pages while others are darker-colored. That color scheme was pretty cool. The writing style was exceptional and captured what the story was about. I felt terrible for the enslaved at the time and rooted for her family.

A must-read for history buffs interested in family genealogy, black History, and love, a beautifully written, touching story.

This book is perfect if you like Kwame Alexander's The Door of No Return. Check out my review of The Door of No Return.

Happy Reading, Paige 📚 ❤️
Thank you to the publisher for sharing this historical fiction with me! I love History!