I Heard: An American Journey

by J. Nailah Avery, Steffi Walthall (Illustrator)

A powerful and poetic picture book about Black history in the United States, from the shores of Africa and slavery, to the civil rights and Black Lives Matter movements.

With stunning lyricism reminiscent of traditional African spirituals and today's rhythm and flow of hip-hop, a teacher shares the history of being Black in the US, while continuing to march into present day--undeterred and proud to be Black. Author J. Nailah Avery shows you have to understand the past to shape the future, and knowing who you are gives you the strength to do just that.

The book's back matter on Black history is an extensive resource and provides additional context to the reading of I Heard .

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Social Justice, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: From the shores of Africa to the rhythms of hip-hop, Avery crafts a lyrical book that traverses the timeline of Black history. This powerful picture book, akin to an African spiritual, elegantly guides readers through slavery, civil rights, and the contemporary Black Lives Matter movement. The narrative, spoken by a teacher, embodies the strength derived from understanding the past and embraces the pride of being Black.


Pros:
🌟 A stellar 4.5 stars illuminate this impactful read! Avery seamlessly intertwines poetry and history, offering a compelling journey for readers of all ages.

😍 The illustrations dance in harmony with the narrative, providing a visual feast that enriches the storytelling. The vivid images enhance the emotional resonance, making the history more accessible and engaging.

🎓 The back matter's comprehensive exploration of Black history adds depth and context, transforming the book into a valuable resource for continued learning.

Cons:
📘 While the book received high praise, a political tone was detected. I raised an eyebrow at phrases highlighting political figures "turning states blue" and controversial slogans such as "defund the police." Whether it's liberal or conservative, politics have no place in a classroom. It's like finding a political twist in the middle of a masterpiece—distinct and not everyone's cup of tea.


Conclusion:
🌈 "I Heard" is a lyrical celebration of Black history, harmonizing powerful messages with captivating illustrations. Despite a few notes of political bias, the overall composition resonates profoundly. Avery's work stands tall as a testament to the importance of understanding the past to shape a brighter future. 📖🎶

Disclaimer: A resounding thank you to the NetGalley and Charlesbridge for providing this ARC. While opinions are like bookmarks—every reader has one—these reflections are solely mine, sprinkled with a dash of literary whimsy. 📚✨

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This nonfiction picture book features a stirring poem and beautiful illustrations that celebrate African American history and persistence. The poem gives a surprisingly thorough introduction to major points in Black history, and encourages Black children to take pride in their identity and heritage. There is also a detailed author's note at the end that explains more about the historic events, people, and terminology referenced in the poem.

I was impressed with most things about this book, but I have a few major critiques that I need to unpack in detail. The first is that just like in Kwame Alexander's recent book An American Story, this book does not acknowledge the role that many Africans willingly played in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, selling other Black people into slavery. Although the opening stanzas in this book are beautiful, with the author dreaming of seeing Africa again and reflecting on the wonders of the continent and its people, this stanza is a historically inaccurate evasion: "I heard the people, Black and free / Community abounds / Thus living all in harmony / With sky, with sea, with ground."

Slavery has been the global norm throughout human history. Prior to the arrival of white Europeans, Black people were not all free. Also, they were not all living in harmony. There was tribal warfare, just as there has been warfare among different groups on everywhere else in the world, and victorious tribes would often take their enemies captive and enslave them. The trans-Atlantic market for slaves changed everything, creating a system of race-based slavery and introducing major financial impetus for putting people into bondage, but slavery already existed, just like it has existed everywhere else in the world.

I understand why the author wouldn't want to talk about African contributions to the slave trade. It isn't an inspiring or joyful thing to think about, and this is a sensitive topic that has often be unfairly weaponized against Black people in public discourse. However, if you want to teach accurate history, then it's part of the story. You can sugarcoat this and say that everybody in Africa was free and living in harmony, but that's not true. That's not reality, and ignoring inconvenient facts with children just makes the truth more upsetting and destabilizing later.

My other criticism has to do with the politically charged specifics towards the end of the book. Although the author introduces Barack Obama and Ketanji Brown Jackson as inspiring role models and trailblazers without focusing on their politics, she celebrates how Stacey Abrams "helped turn Georgia blue," introducing an explicitly partisan message. Even though the book's framing device shows a teacher sharing Black history with a room full of students, the political statements make the book less appropriate for classroom use in public schools.

I know that books and schools are a touchy subject right now, so it's difficult to offer this critique, but it's still true, and it's true regardless of the political party affiliation. If a teacher read a book that celebrated Candace Owens as a beacon of modern conservatism, that would also be inappropriate for a classroom context. My argument here is about the partisan nature of the statement.

In addition to this, on the page that addresses the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd, the author quotes the slogan "defund the police," and she does not define or explain this in the poem or in the note at the end. I thought this was unwise. This political statement is extremely divisive, even within the Black community, and is not a rallying cry that everybody wants to get behind.

Just because people are against police brutality does not mean that they think it is good or wise to defund the police. Of course, many proponents of the movement would argue that they don't want to abolish the police entirely, and just want more funding directed towards other social programs, but the ambiguity of this phrase is another reason why it's not appropriate to drop it into a picture book for elementary school students.

This is an extreme, politically charged phrase that people attach different meanings and interpretations to, anywhere on the spectrum from "we need better mental health care" to "we should abolish the police entirely." Dropping it into a children's book with no context will please adults with similar values, but makes the book unnecessarily controversial and inappropriate for classroom use.

Overall, I found this book both inspiring and frustrating. There are a lot of things I love about it, but it disappointed me that the author distorted the truth by making it sound like Africa was a place of perfect freedom and harmony prior to the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and the politically charged elements make this book far less generally appropriate than it would be otherwise. This book needs to be available in libraries for people to self-select, but the partisan statements make it inappropriate for classroom use, and Black parents who don't align with this book's political focus are better off choosing something else to help build their child's self-esteem and pride in their history.

I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[LaShanda Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed I Heard. This picture book is more than just a story. It is a powerful look at Black history, told in a way that feels both poetic and meaningful. It begins with the rich culture of Africa, moves through the history of slavery and the civil rights movement, and continues into the present day with the Black Lives Matter movement. The writing has a rhythm that makes it feel alive, like a mix of music and poetry.

What I appreciated most was how the book opens the door for important, honest conversations with kids of all backgrounds. It helps readers understand the past while encouraging them to shape a better future. The additional information at the end is also a valuable resource for further learning. I Heard is a powerful and important book, and I highly recommend it for families, teachers, and classrooms.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advance copy. It was a pleasure!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, and the author and publisher of this book for a free ARC in exchange for an unbiased review. I Heard, written by J. Nailah Avery is written as a story being told, of what an artist heard about, and is portraying in her work. They all relate to African American history, as well as what is currently happening in our country and world. I believe that this could be a very helpful book for teaching young children about the past, and what we can do in the future to make things better. I also loved the artwork portrayed, and the glossary at the end of the book where different terms and individuals are reintroduced and defines. Thank You for reading!

[Loes Truijens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is very well written. It helps discuss difficult topics but in a child friendly way.
As someone who is from a coloniser country I felt really called to this book. I think it’s part of how we can help to make sure that discrimination and apartheid never happens. It’s still happening but if more people start learning about everyone’s history the world will be better for it.
The art style is beautiful and clear.
I’d definitely read this to my child if I had one.
I have nothing to add to make it better so it’s a 5 ⭐️

[Kina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book! I loved reading this to my little guy so much. It gives a quick summary of the history of black people. From being on top in Africa, to be slaves, to being free but with no real rights, to all the amazing accomplishments of black people. It leaves so much room for conversations with your children no matter what color they are regarding African American history. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. The pictures were amazing, and every page was so busy. The illustrations used different kinds of color to make it obvious that there were multiple scenes playing out on every page.
There was so much information, adults and children could enjoy this. So much history was covered, and there were some amazing role models presented for children to aspire to, like our first black female Supreme Court Justice.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember both the highs and lows of African American history in this beautiful and well-written picture book. With its textured cover, it's sure to draw in readers. When you finish, be sure to take a peek under the book jacket for another look at American history.
Could this be a 2025 Caldecott or Coretta Scott King recipient?

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a strong rhyming rhythm and expressive illustrations by Steffi Walthall, this book recounts America's shameful past even as it lauds the small steps made forward.
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Charlesbridge via NetGalley.

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing poem illustrated with gorgeous art that does the seemingly impossible. It takes the reader on the African American journey--upon America's shores and beyond--and manages to tell a story of both horror and hope that even the youngest readers can enjoy.

[Dr. Julie Wasmund Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of children watch and listen when they visit an art studio. The artist, and the art tell the story of an American journey—a story of origin and roots, pain and enslavement, rising up and healing—a story of hope and resilience.

[Y.Poston]

a lovely tribute to the ongoing
Black force for freedom

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated book with simple text to tell the history of black people in America.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A history of Black Americans told through poetry in a beautiful picture book.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview told in rhyme

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

In I Heard: An American Journey, a group of kids are listening to a woman talk about the Black history expressed in her paintings and spoken in beautifully written rhyming couplets, which later greatly inspires the kids.

I loved the collage of historical moments and how the illustrator captured those moments in contrasting, striking color and pencil drawings that gave wonder and pause. The last double-paged illustration that the story ended on made for a very powerful and poignant ending. There is also back matter information of notable people, terms, groups, and more that were referenced throughout the story.

Overall, I Heard: An American Journey was a wonderful, inspiring, and educational read that I would recommend.

Thanks again Charlesbridge and NetGalley for the e-arc to read in exchange for an honest review!

[Julia Pika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. A stunning history of Black History in America. It's condensed in a way for kids to understand but the emotional impact is felt very strongly in its words. Brilliant book--will definitely be a must-have for schools & libraries!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Charlesbridge for the digital arc.
Through poetry and color and pencil drawings author Jaha Nailah Avery brings to life Black history beginning with Mother Africa and progressing through adversity and accomplishments to present time. Generous back matter provides supplements the content. Definitely a required resource for elementary libraries.
#IHeard #NetGalley