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Radiant
A historical middle-grade novel in verse from multiple Coretta Scott King winner Vaunda Micheaux Nelson.
As school begins in 1963, Cooper Dale wrestles with what it means to “shine” for a black girl in a predominantly white community near Pittsburgh. Set against the historic backdrop of the Birmingham church bombing, the Kennedy assassination, and Beatlemania, Radiant is a finely crafted novel in verse about race, class, faith, and finding your place in a loving family and a complicated world.
Cooper’s primary concern is navigating fifth grade, where she faces both an extra-strict teacher and the bullying of Wade Carter, the only child of a well-to-do white family, whose home Cooper’s mother cleans for extra income. How can she shine when her mother works for the meanest boy in school? To make matters worse, Cooper quietly wishes she could be someone else.
It’s not all bad, though. Cooper and her beloved older sister have fallen for the Beatles, and Cooper is thrilled to have something special they can share. And what she learns about her British idols adds new complexity to Cooper’s feelings about race.
As school begins in 1963, Cooper Dale wrestles with what it means to “shine” for a black girl in a predominantly white community near Pittsburgh. Set against the historic backdrop of the Birmingham church bombing, the Kennedy assassination, and Beatlemania, Radiant is a finely crafted novel in verse about race, class, faith, and finding your place in a loving family and a complicated world.
Cooper’s primary concern is navigating fifth grade, where she faces both an extra-strict teacher and the bullying of Wade Carter, the only child of a well-to-do white family, whose home Cooper’s mother cleans for extra income. How can she shine when her mother works for the meanest boy in school? To make matters worse, Cooper quietly wishes she could be someone else.
It’s not all bad, though. Cooper and her beloved older sister have fallen for the Beatles, and Cooper is thrilled to have something special they can share. And what she learns about her British idols adds new complexity to Cooper’s feelings about race.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published January 7, 2025
19 people are currently reading
2849 people want to read
About the author
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
20 books95 followersVaunda Micheaux Nelson loves bringing books and children together and feels lucky to have two careers that foster this. The children's librarian and author says, "It was destined from the day I was born. My mother found my name in a novel she was reading."
Vaunda's first book, Always Gramma, was selected by the Children's Book Council as a Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. Mayfield Crossing won the Georgia Children's Book in 1995, and Beyond Mayfield received a 1999 Parents' Choice Gold Award. Almost to Freedom, her most recent title, received a Coretta Scott King Honor for illustration in 2004. In addition, Vaunda's poetry has been published in Cricket and Cicada magazines.
Vaunda has been a teacher, newspaper reporter, bookseller, school librarian, and twice a member of the Newbery Award Committee. She holds master's degrees from The Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College, Vermont, and from the University of Pittsburgh School of Library and Information Science. Her memberships include the SCBWI, the American Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children. The Pennsylvania native is currently the young adult librarian at a public library in New Mexico, where she lives with her husband, Drew, and two cats.
Vaunda's first book, Always Gramma, was selected by the Children's Book Council as a Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. Mayfield Crossing won the Georgia Children's Book in 1995, and Beyond Mayfield received a 1999 Parents' Choice Gold Award. Almost to Freedom, her most recent title, received a Coretta Scott King Honor for illustration in 2004. In addition, Vaunda's poetry has been published in Cricket and Cicada magazines.
Vaunda has been a teacher, newspaper reporter, bookseller, school librarian, and twice a member of the Newbery Award Committee. She holds master's degrees from The Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College, Vermont, and from the University of Pittsburgh School of Library and Information Science. Her memberships include the SCBWI, the American Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children. The Pennsylvania native is currently the young adult librarian at a public library in New Mexico, where she lives with her husband, Drew, and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
July 12, 2025
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November 3, 2024
In this Middle grade Historical novel in verse, Cooper Dale is in fifth grade in 1963, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She lives with her father, who is a baker, her mother, who cleans houses, and her older sibling Fred and Maxine. She has the "meanest" teacher, Mrs. Keating, and often experiences horrible treatment by classmate Wade Carter, who is very racist towards her, calling her names like "Mud Face" and "Pooper". The only black student in class
December 4, 2024
This book has my WHOLE heart. Radiant is a perfect title, because this book SHINES!!!! I finished reading it months ago, and the story has stayed with me. It’s beautifully written, heartwarming, and charming. I can imagine kids reading it again and again. I highly recommend it for elementary school classrooms and libraries. But, parents, get ready to head to the bookstore. Your kids will want a personal copy 😊
April 1, 2025
Verse novel with a compelling story; likable, well developed characters; and themes of self-acceptance, forgiveness, and confronting different types of prejudice. Definitely recommend.
February 18, 2025
Enjoyment of Radiant will vary based on how you view forgiveness and your ideas of spirituality/Christianity.
Cooper comes to understand that Black is beautiful, but a major part of this storyline is learning how to forgive those that trespass her. That means that even though her bully, Wade, is racist she must love him because that is what the Bible dictates. When Cooper is able to do this it is viewed as a sign of her maturity rather than her individual response to racism.
This makes complete sense for the time period. I have no issues with this from a structural standpoint. From an entertainment perspective? The second half of the book was a slog because I resented where I could clearly see the book going.
Even so this isn't a matter of right or wrong; it is communicating a very specific shared cultural value.
Not all shared cultural values should be respected, of course, since they can be harmful regardless of background, however, the way that Vaunda Micheaux Nelson tells this story and the way that religion is depicted is not objectively harmful. Kids who are religious and/or are being raised with Christian values deserve books too. And this book overall advocates for the kind of love and acceptance that I feel is ultimately (or at least should be) the cornerstone of religion as a whole.
I think it's unfair that Black children are often forced to turn the other cheek by religious rhetoric under the guise that God will provide eventually while white children are often taught that they are entitled to all the light touches in this lifetime. I found it sad that Cooper was praised for learning to conduct herself 'properly' - not because it was a risk to her safety, but because it was the 'correct' way to fight against racism. I hate that Wade never has to apologize or reflect on his actions because white children are allowed the luxury of racist 'phases' wherein outwardly racist behavior is encouraged as a right of passage.
Radiant is a well written book that depicts a unique, frequently maddening period of African American history. The prose is beautiful. The in verse storytelling is a great way to portray the underlying solemnity of Cooper. I really appreciated the inclusion of how the Beatles were influenced by Black artists.
I recommend it with caveats: still it's a recommendation all the same.
Cooper comes to understand that Black is beautiful, but a major part of this storyline is learning how to forgive those that trespass her. That means that even though her bully, Wade, is racist she must love him because that is what the Bible dictates. When Cooper is able to do this it is viewed as a sign of her maturity rather than her individual response to racism.
This makes complete sense for the time period. I have no issues with this from a structural standpoint. From an entertainment perspective? The second half of the book was a slog because I resented where I could clearly see the book going.
Even so this isn't a matter of right or wrong; it is communicating a very specific shared cultural value.
Not all shared cultural values should be respected, of course, since they can be harmful regardless of background, however, the way that Vaunda Micheaux Nelson tells this story and the way that religion is depicted is not objectively harmful. Kids who are religious and/or are being raised with Christian values deserve books too. And this book overall advocates for the kind of love and acceptance that I feel is ultimately (or at least should be) the cornerstone of religion as a whole.
I think it's unfair that Black children are often forced to turn the other cheek by religious rhetoric under the guise that God will provide eventually while white children are often taught that they are entitled to all the light touches in this lifetime. I found it sad that Cooper was praised for learning to conduct herself 'properly' - not because it was a risk to her safety, but because it was the 'correct' way to fight against racism. I hate that Wade never has to apologize or reflect on his actions because white children are allowed the luxury of racist 'phases' wherein outwardly racist behavior is encouraged as a right of passage.
Radiant is a well written book that depicts a unique, frequently maddening period of African American history. The prose is beautiful. The in verse storytelling is a great way to portray the underlying solemnity of Cooper. I really appreciated the inclusion of how the Beatles were influenced by Black artists.
I recommend it with caveats: still it's a recommendation all the same.
April 27, 2025
This book is aptly named, because it really is radiant. It’s beautifully written in verse, and though it might seem to be a simple story, it’s a powerful and poignant one.
I loved what Cooper Dale learns about herself and others. She wants to shine, to be radiant. With her beautiful and insightful voice, the author has created a lovely character who definitely shines.
The setting in the early 60s added to the story for me, with mentions of the death of President Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and The Beatles.
I really loved the theme of family, and how their love, laughter, and support of each other helped them through the hard times.
This is a beautiful story and one I highly recommend.
I loved what Cooper Dale learns about herself and others. She wants to shine, to be radiant. With her beautiful and insightful voice, the author has created a lovely character who definitely shines.
The setting in the early 60s added to the story for me, with mentions of the death of President Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and The Beatles.
I really loved the theme of family, and how their love, laughter, and support of each other helped them through the hard times.
This is a beautiful story and one I highly recommend.
October 2, 2024
Good historical fiction, written in verse form. This one would be great for introducing middle-grade readers to 1960’s history and pop culture.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
June 20, 2024
Cooper Dale is the only black girl in her 5th grade class in 1963-4. She thinks about race a lot and a lot happened in those years to make race stay on everyone's minds. A white boy in her class bullies her, but she tries to forgive him, especially when the unthinkable happens. Review from e-galley.
January 4, 2025
Absolutely love it. I love how beautifully lyrical.it is. I love how it's such a snippet of the 1960s. And I especially love how incredibly moving and powerful the story is.
September 19, 2025
"Sweet, soft, and moving, this is a novel that feels like a hug for Black readers and young girls who want to be their best self." [Booklist]
August 17, 2025
Vauda M Nelson’s RADIANT is a joy to read, start to finish. Her MC, Cooper, is beginning the fifth grade and wishes for nothing more than to “shine,” as her mother has always encouraged her to do. Readers will experience Cooper’s highs and lows in her attempt to do that, her discovery that shining doesn’t mean being perfect as well as learning that there truly is “no place like home.” Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yes, there are references through this NIV to the Wizard of Oz and the Beatles plus key events and figures in 1963 including Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, the assassination of John F. Kennedy and subsequent killing of Lee Harvey Oswald by James Ruby, plus a brief mention of the Ku Klux Klan.
Cooper is Black in a time when schools have been integrated for almost 10 years and while she attends one that seems to be doing things fairly well, Cooper, her older sister Maxine and brother Fred often feel like the odd man out in their primarily white school and do experience some racially based harassment by some classmates. Nelson’s semi-autobiographical main character has moments when she wishes to be white in order to not stand out among her fellows quite so much but ultimately recognizes her worth in the skin she’s in. She also learns valuable lessons forgiving others along with forgiving herself. Family is key in the author’s life and those real life experiences are felt clearly in Cooper’s traditions and every day life within her nuclear family and extends into her grandparents’ home with regular gatherings of a gaggle of cousins. Cooper’s faith in God is another string that also helps her hold things together.
All in all, there is hope throughout RADIANT and while the facts of discrimination, fight for civil rights and the political climate of the 60s is present, mostly there is warmth and love throughout Cooper’s year of self-discovery and a gentler look at the time period. Highly recommended for libraries serving those in grades 4-6. Text is free of profanity, sexual content and the violence of the assassinations and the church burning in Birmingham is not graphic.
Thanks for sharing a finished copy with me at a Penguin Random House special event for librarians at the 2025 Texas Library Association annual conference.
Cooper is Black in a time when schools have been integrated for almost 10 years and while she attends one that seems to be doing things fairly well, Cooper, her older sister Maxine and brother Fred often feel like the odd man out in their primarily white school and do experience some racially based harassment by some classmates. Nelson’s semi-autobiographical main character has moments when she wishes to be white in order to not stand out among her fellows quite so much but ultimately recognizes her worth in the skin she’s in. She also learns valuable lessons forgiving others along with forgiving herself. Family is key in the author’s life and those real life experiences are felt clearly in Cooper’s traditions and every day life within her nuclear family and extends into her grandparents’ home with regular gatherings of a gaggle of cousins. Cooper’s faith in God is another string that also helps her hold things together.
All in all, there is hope throughout RADIANT and while the facts of discrimination, fight for civil rights and the political climate of the 60s is present, mostly there is warmth and love throughout Cooper’s year of self-discovery and a gentler look at the time period. Highly recommended for libraries serving those in grades 4-6. Text is free of profanity, sexual content and the violence of the assassinations and the church burning in Birmingham is not graphic.
Thanks for sharing a finished copy with me at a Penguin Random House special event for librarians at the 2025 Texas Library Association annual conference.
April 1, 2025
My 100th read of 2025! I really enjoyed this novel in verse. It was a quick read and touched on some important topics...but...it felt like it was only just grazing the surface of those issues. It asks a lot of questions but the answers all felt very superficial. Which is probably a good thing for the intended middle grade audience but I personally would have liked it to dive a bit deeper into how Cooper was feeling so I could have FELT it with her. Still a very good book...I just was missing that deep emotional connection I am looking for in books. Would still recommend it though...I particularly liked a lot of the parallels and comparisons with The Wizard of Oz and would have loved to see that more consistenly throughout the story.
April 12, 2025
This was a beautiful verse novel that touched on many important themes: race, forgiveness, and family being at the forefront.
Cooper is the only colored person in her middle school class in 1963. She faces a lot of insensitive comments and moments from clueless classmates as well as blatant meanness and racism. She learns from her family and others that she is strong enough to forgive and not allow their ignorance to shape her self-worth. I loved the historical context of the girls falling in love with the Beatles. Your middle grade readers will enjoy this one.
Cooper is the only colored person in her middle school class in 1963. She faces a lot of insensitive comments and moments from clueless classmates as well as blatant meanness and racism. She learns from her family and others that she is strong enough to forgive and not allow their ignorance to shape her self-worth. I loved the historical context of the girls falling in love with the Beatles. Your middle grade readers will enjoy this one.
February 25, 2025
I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump. There’s something about novels in verse that shake that up for me.
Radiant is thoughtful and authentic. Main character Cooper is the only Black student in her class in 1963. Cooper has a loving family, true friends at school and church, and is smart and kind.
Historical fiction exploring race, class, faith, and more through the eyes of perfectly imperfect Cooper.
Beatlemania, JFK assassination, bullying
Radiant is thoughtful and authentic. Main character Cooper is the only Black student in her class in 1963. Cooper has a loving family, true friends at school and church, and is smart and kind.
Historical fiction exploring race, class, faith, and more through the eyes of perfectly imperfect Cooper.
Beatlemania, JFK assassination, bullying
March 17, 2025
Thank you @NetGalley for the ARC. Wow, this will be an easy sell in my school Library. Novel in verse has become one of my favorite writing genre.
Radiant was filled with emotion and history. The year in 1963 and Cooper is struggling with a bully at school, being the only black student in her school and coming to terms with her mom being a hospice helper for her bully mom. This is a must read.
Radiant was filled with emotion and history. The year in 1963 and Cooper is struggling with a bully at school, being the only black student in her school and coming to terms with her mom being a hospice helper for her bully mom. This is a must read.
July 4, 2025
Cooper wants to shine, but as the only Black girl in her fifth-grade class, she feels like she only sticks out. She's struggling in a few school subjects and butts heads with her strict teacher. Classmate Wade jabs her with rude comments about her brown skin. But Cooper has a loving family and a strong faith community, and when Cooper is called on to empathize and forgive, she learns what it really means to shine.
I really liked the themes of compassion and forgiveness in this middle-grade novel-in-verse.
I really liked the themes of compassion and forgiveness in this middle-grade novel-in-verse.
March 10, 2025
Radiant by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson is a middle grade novel-in-verse about a young girl, Cooper, that enters 5th grade with the goal of shining. However, between her strict teacher and the class bully, Wade, Cooper finds that shining is more difficult than she expected it to be.
Cooper faces a variety of challenges, both at school and at home, Some are because of the decade she lived in (1960s) and others are challenges that young readers today will also be able to relate to. I generally love novels-in-verse and I think that this one is exceptionally well-done. I would absolutely use this book as a class read aloud for 4th or 5th grade. Beyond teaching readers about language and history, it would be a great book to teach them empathy. I love the way that the characters grew over the course of a school year and there are so many tidbits that would lead to great group discussions!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to review an eARC of Radiant!
Cooper faces a variety of challenges, both at school and at home, Some are because of the decade she lived in (1960s) and others are challenges that young readers today will also be able to relate to. I generally love novels-in-verse and I think that this one is exceptionally well-done. I would absolutely use this book as a class read aloud for 4th or 5th grade. Beyond teaching readers about language and history, it would be a great book to teach them empathy. I love the way that the characters grew over the course of a school year and there are so many tidbits that would lead to great group discussions!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to review an eARC of Radiant!
April 27, 2025
So beautiful I cried.
Do yourself a favor and read this stunning middle grade novel in verse.
Do yourself a favor and read this stunning middle grade novel in verse.
November 15, 2024
Wow! Such an amazing book! Thank you NetGalley & penguin group for an arc of this book. Reading middle grade verse was new for me and I enjoyed it very much! No notes! Highly recommend for young readers.
February 14, 2025
This is a book about grace masquerading as a historical coming-of-age fiction. The coming-of-age resonates, but the spiritual aspect really shines. Much like Cooper herself.
August 20, 2024
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this novel in verse, Cooper Dale is in fifth grade in 1963, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She lives with her father, who is a baker, her mother, who cleans houses, and her older sibling Fred and Maxine. She has the "meanest" teacher, Mrs. Keating, and often experiences horrible treatment by classmate Wade Carter, who is very racist towards her, calling her names like "Mud Face" and "Pooper". The only black student in class (N.B. The book uses this term, and discusses that this is becoming more popular as "colored" falls out of favor. Today, we capitalize Black.), Cooper struggles a bit to find good friends; while the girls in her class are generally nice to her, they don't live near her, and the girls with whom she is friends in church also don't have many opportunities to come to her house. Cooper tries very hard to do well on her school work, and has taken her parents' message that she should shine in everything she does to heart. She is glad that the man who comes in to teach penmanship once a month thinks her handwriting is good, but is dismayed when Mrs. Keating tells her her letters are too large; to get back at her, she writes her weekly spelling test in tiny letters, only to get an F even though her spelling is fine. Cooper starts to notice that something is going on with Wade; he doesn't always walk home for lunch, and seems sadder than usual. When her mother gets a job cleaning for the Carters because the mother has cancer, Cooper is appalled. For one thing, she has told her classmates that her mother is a home decorator, and for another, she doesn't want her mother to have to deal with Carter. Cooper starts to think about what it would be like if her own mother were sick, and starts to have some sympathy for her nemesis. Cooper is very aware of being the only Black student in her class, and doesn't understand why Mrs. Keating thinks people should be "color blind". Her mother's mother is white, and Cooper sometimes wishes that she were white. When another Black student, Robert, joins the class, this is a new experience. Much of Cooper's time is spent in typical tween pursuits of the time; waiting for The Wizard of Oz to play once a year on television (a BIG deal!), listening to the exciting new musical group, The Beatles, and hanging out with family and at church. She does start to understand Mrs. Keating and Wade more as the school year comes to a close.
Strengths: 1963 is an excellent year to have as the background of a novel, and it's a little surprising that we don't see the death of John F. Kennedy portrayed more, since it is the touchstone of several generations. I loved the thread of The Wizard of Oz woven through the story, and didn't know that it was shown around Christmas time; I was familiar with the late winter showings. Working in Pittsburgh radio station WAMO was a nice touch, and I adored how Cooper saved up her money to buy Meet the Beatles. There's some character growth as Cooper starts to understand others around her, like Wade and Mrs. Keating, but it's also good to see Wade become less racist, at least in his actions. There are plenty of good historical details of daily life that make it clear that Cooper and Ms. Nelson are contemporaries.
Weaknesses: This was more a novel about how Cooper felt instead of what she did, so is rather more introspective and lyrical than many middle grade historical novels.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want a look at this point in history from the perspective of a Black tween. The early sixties hasn't been represented all that well in middle grade fiction; there's Moses' We Were the Fire: Birmingham 1963, Curtis' The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963, Robinson's memoir Child of the Dream, Rosengren's The Cold War on Maplewood Street, or Hood's She Loves You, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, which is the only other book that really addresses the fascination with the Beatles. There are some books that are set slightly later in the 1960s, like Jackson's The Lucky Ones (1967), but there are still not quite as many as I would like to see.
In this novel in verse, Cooper Dale is in fifth grade in 1963, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She lives with her father, who is a baker, her mother, who cleans houses, and her older sibling Fred and Maxine. She has the "meanest" teacher, Mrs. Keating, and often experiences horrible treatment by classmate Wade Carter, who is very racist towards her, calling her names like "Mud Face" and "Pooper". The only black student in class (N.B. The book uses this term, and discusses that this is becoming more popular as "colored" falls out of favor. Today, we capitalize Black.), Cooper struggles a bit to find good friends; while the girls in her class are generally nice to her, they don't live near her, and the girls with whom she is friends in church also don't have many opportunities to come to her house. Cooper tries very hard to do well on her school work, and has taken her parents' message that she should shine in everything she does to heart. She is glad that the man who comes in to teach penmanship once a month thinks her handwriting is good, but is dismayed when Mrs. Keating tells her her letters are too large; to get back at her, she writes her weekly spelling test in tiny letters, only to get an F even though her spelling is fine. Cooper starts to notice that something is going on with Wade; he doesn't always walk home for lunch, and seems sadder than usual. When her mother gets a job cleaning for the Carters because the mother has cancer, Cooper is appalled. For one thing, she has told her classmates that her mother is a home decorator, and for another, she doesn't want her mother to have to deal with Carter. Cooper starts to think about what it would be like if her own mother were sick, and starts to have some sympathy for her nemesis. Cooper is very aware of being the only Black student in her class, and doesn't understand why Mrs. Keating thinks people should be "color blind". Her mother's mother is white, and Cooper sometimes wishes that she were white. When another Black student, Robert, joins the class, this is a new experience. Much of Cooper's time is spent in typical tween pursuits of the time; waiting for The Wizard of Oz to play once a year on television (a BIG deal!), listening to the exciting new musical group, The Beatles, and hanging out with family and at church. She does start to understand Mrs. Keating and Wade more as the school year comes to a close.
Strengths: 1963 is an excellent year to have as the background of a novel, and it's a little surprising that we don't see the death of John F. Kennedy portrayed more, since it is the touchstone of several generations. I loved the thread of The Wizard of Oz woven through the story, and didn't know that it was shown around Christmas time; I was familiar with the late winter showings. Working in Pittsburgh radio station WAMO was a nice touch, and I adored how Cooper saved up her money to buy Meet the Beatles. There's some character growth as Cooper starts to understand others around her, like Wade and Mrs. Keating, but it's also good to see Wade become less racist, at least in his actions. There are plenty of good historical details of daily life that make it clear that Cooper and Ms. Nelson are contemporaries.
Weaknesses: This was more a novel about how Cooper felt instead of what she did, so is rather more introspective and lyrical than many middle grade historical novels.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want a look at this point in history from the perspective of a Black tween. The early sixties hasn't been represented all that well in middle grade fiction; there's Moses' We Were the Fire: Birmingham 1963, Curtis' The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963, Robinson's memoir Child of the Dream, Rosengren's The Cold War on Maplewood Street, or Hood's She Loves You, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, which is the only other book that really addresses the fascination with the Beatles. There are some books that are set slightly later in the 1960s, like Jackson's The Lucky Ones (1967), but there are still not quite as many as I would like to see.
March 13, 2025
Radiant
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Dutton Children's Books
an impint of Penguin Random House LLC
2025
320 pages
ISBN: 9780593855782
The year is 1963 and Cooper Dale is in fifth grade, and she is not at all happy to be in Mrs. Keating, aka the Queen of Darkness's, class.
Set in history, this novel in verse tells the story of turbulent times: there's a bombing in the Baptist church in Alabama, and four little black girls are killed. Cooper is worried about the violence and afraid the KKK might come to her church or her neighborhood. She wonders why white people hate black people so much. She hears Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and wonders when it will be that people are not judged by the color of their skin. She sometimes wishes she were white, "But sometimes I don't want to be black...but sometimes, sometimes, I just want to be white." In a poem called "If," Cooper says, "If I could--/I would/take my box of crayons/and color the world/the way I want."
Cooper's personal problems include growing apart from her now fourteen-year old sister and a mean boy named Wade in her class who calls her "Mud Face" and bullies her. What's worse is that Cooper's mother works as a maid for the mean boy's mother. Cooper is embarrassed her mother has to clean up after Wade and his family.
One problem is solved when Beatlemania (notice the album cover the girl is holding on the book cover art) takes over the country, both Cooper and her sister Maxine are crazed. They are brought back together in their shared love of the Fab Four.
As the British Invastion sweeps the nation and teens are brought to tears, the entire country comes to a complete stop on November 22, 1963, the day beloved President John F. Kennedy is assassinated. The adults watch the news and talk about politics, and, of course, Cooper hears what's transpiring around the country. Her mother and father debate the activism of Malcom X.
Wade's mother dies, and Cooper and her mother attend the funeral. Wade eventually comes back to school, but he's a changed person. Cooper empathizes with him even though he's been nothing but a terror to her all year. Cooper even changes her mind about Mrs. Keating. She's not the Queen of Darkness after all.
Perfect for reluctant readers, Radiant shines! It will likely be a contender for awards season this year. Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, the winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, may have to clear off more space on her mantle.
Highly recommended grades 4 and up. Radiant would be great for classroom reading. Savvy librarians will purchase a class set and a few other copies for circulation.
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Dutton Children's Books
an impint of Penguin Random House LLC
2025
320 pages
ISBN: 9780593855782
The year is 1963 and Cooper Dale is in fifth grade, and she is not at all happy to be in Mrs. Keating, aka the Queen of Darkness's, class.
Set in history, this novel in verse tells the story of turbulent times: there's a bombing in the Baptist church in Alabama, and four little black girls are killed. Cooper is worried about the violence and afraid the KKK might come to her church or her neighborhood. She wonders why white people hate black people so much. She hears Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and wonders when it will be that people are not judged by the color of their skin. She sometimes wishes she were white, "But sometimes I don't want to be black...but sometimes, sometimes, I just want to be white." In a poem called "If," Cooper says, "If I could--/I would/take my box of crayons/and color the world/the way I want."
Cooper's personal problems include growing apart from her now fourteen-year old sister and a mean boy named Wade in her class who calls her "Mud Face" and bullies her. What's worse is that Cooper's mother works as a maid for the mean boy's mother. Cooper is embarrassed her mother has to clean up after Wade and his family.
One problem is solved when Beatlemania (notice the album cover the girl is holding on the book cover art) takes over the country, both Cooper and her sister Maxine are crazed. They are brought back together in their shared love of the Fab Four.
As the British Invastion sweeps the nation and teens are brought to tears, the entire country comes to a complete stop on November 22, 1963, the day beloved President John F. Kennedy is assassinated. The adults watch the news and talk about politics, and, of course, Cooper hears what's transpiring around the country. Her mother and father debate the activism of Malcom X.
Wade's mother dies, and Cooper and her mother attend the funeral. Wade eventually comes back to school, but he's a changed person. Cooper empathizes with him even though he's been nothing but a terror to her all year. Cooper even changes her mind about Mrs. Keating. She's not the Queen of Darkness after all.
Perfect for reluctant readers, Radiant shines! It will likely be a contender for awards season this year. Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, the winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, may have to clear off more space on her mantle.
Highly recommended grades 4 and up. Radiant would be great for classroom reading. Savvy librarians will purchase a class set and a few other copies for circulation.
February 10, 2025
Radiant, set in 1964, is told in verse, nothing flowery or intimidating, it reads simply and quickly while still hitting the emotions in all the right places.
As an adult reader I wouldn’t have minded a bit more historical detail, but I think for the intended middle-grade audience, this was just about right in the way it touched on historical events (the church bombing in Alabama, JFK’s assassination) in a way that didn’t get bogged down in long dense info dumps that could cause a kid reader’s interest to wane.
Cooper, our sweetheart of a main character, is the target of racism to the extent where at times she wishes she were white, all of the moments related to that are a tough read as they should be, and still sadly relevant. There were a few moments in Cooper’s dealings with a racist classmate where I did wonder whether there are many kids or even adults for that matter, who would handle that with as much I guess, generosity, as Cooper does, but regardless of how realistic that would be for most flawed human beings to live up to, Cooper’s certainly a good example to aspire to, even if you can’t get there quite as consistently as she does.
I liked that a certain situation was presented as more complicated than just being entirely about Cooper’s empathy for someone else, something like that could make anyone contemplate something similar happening in their own life and this did a good job of showing how anxiety inducing those kinds of thoughts can be no matter your age.
All I’ve talked about here so far are the more difficult things Cooper’s going through over the course of this novel, but the author does include some nice moments with a teacher, friends, and with Cooper’s family (some involving a love for the Beatles), that add enough light for this to feel like a balanced read.
As an adult reader I wouldn’t have minded a bit more historical detail, but I think for the intended middle-grade audience, this was just about right in the way it touched on historical events (the church bombing in Alabama, JFK’s assassination) in a way that didn’t get bogged down in long dense info dumps that could cause a kid reader’s interest to wane.
Cooper, our sweetheart of a main character, is the target of racism to the extent where at times she wishes she were white, all of the moments related to that are a tough read as they should be, and still sadly relevant. There were a few moments in Cooper’s dealings with a racist classmate where I did wonder whether there are many kids or even adults for that matter, who would handle that with as much I guess, generosity, as Cooper does, but regardless of how realistic that would be for most flawed human beings to live up to, Cooper’s certainly a good example to aspire to, even if you can’t get there quite as consistently as she does.
I liked that a certain situation was presented as more complicated than just being entirely about Cooper’s empathy for someone else, something like that could make anyone contemplate something similar happening in their own life and this did a good job of showing how anxiety inducing those kinds of thoughts can be no matter your age.
All I’ve talked about here so far are the more difficult things Cooper’s going through over the course of this novel, but the author does include some nice moments with a teacher, friends, and with Cooper’s family (some involving a love for the Beatles), that add enough light for this to feel like a balanced read.
April 7, 2025
Radiant tells the story of Cooper Dale, the only black girl in her otherwise all white 5th grade class in the 1960s. Cooper's mother works cleaning the house of one of her racist white classmates, Wade. Since Cooper comes from a deeply religious family, she is taught to turn the other cheek and forgive, even in the face of racism. From a religious perspective, I support this 100%, but it was still difficult for me to swallow because I personally feel that racism of any kind needs to be stood up to and not just forgiven. This really was a difficult moral dilemma for me when reading some parts of this book.
Throughout the novel in verse, Cooper learns to love herself and to let that love radiate from her into the world. She stands strong in her convictions, even when it is difficult.
I think my compliant that I didn't have a strong connection to the characters and events in this book. At first I thought it may have simply been due to my not having the same shared experiences, but I honestly think it was more how some tough issues were more or less glossed over, rather than faced head on and with depth. This is a middle grade book, not YA, so maybe that accounts for the lack of depth? I was expecting more a Jason Reynolds, but I got a Kwame Alexander....if that makes sense. Both are GREAT, but one if a little more raw, emotional, and doesn't hold back any punches. So overall, the book was a great read, but I just wanted some more "rawness" and wanted to see Cooper let the racist bullies really have it.
Would I recommend this one? Absolutely! Just know that it deals with tough issues, but in a much more tender way.
Throughout the novel in verse, Cooper learns to love herself and to let that love radiate from her into the world. She stands strong in her convictions, even when it is difficult.
I think my compliant that I didn't have a strong connection to the characters and events in this book. At first I thought it may have simply been due to my not having the same shared experiences, but I honestly think it was more how some tough issues were more or less glossed over, rather than faced head on and with depth. This is a middle grade book, not YA, so maybe that accounts for the lack of depth? I was expecting more a Jason Reynolds, but I got a Kwame Alexander....if that makes sense. Both are GREAT, but one if a little more raw, emotional, and doesn't hold back any punches. So overall, the book was a great read, but I just wanted some more "rawness" and wanted to see Cooper let the racist bullies really have it.
Would I recommend this one? Absolutely! Just know that it deals with tough issues, but in a much more tender way.
February 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars - (Outstanding)
Setting: A predominantly white community near Pittsburgh
Genre: Historical Fiction (Middle Grade Novel in Verse)
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson’s Radiant is a beautifully written, deeply moving novel in verse that captures the struggles and triumphs of a young Black girl coming of age in a turbulent time. Set in 1963, against the backdrop of the Birmingham church bombing and the Kennedy assassination, the novel follows Cooper Dale as she navigates the complexities of race, class, and self-acceptance in a predominantly white community.
Cooper is an instantly relatable and endearing protagonist. Her voice is authentic, brimming with honesty, vulnerability, and quiet strength. As she faces bullying, self-doubt, and the weight of the world’s injustices, she also finds joy in music, family, and the small victories that help her grow into herself. Nelson’s lyrical writing makes every emotion feel raw and immediate, immersing readers in Cooper’s journey of discovering what it truly means to “shine.”
This is a book that doesn’t just tell a story—it feels like an experience. It’s a poignant reminder of the power of resilience, love, and identity, making it a must-read for young readers and adults alike. Radiant is a shining gem of historical middle-grade fiction that will linger in your heart long after the final page. #netgalley #radiant #booked_this_weekend
Setting: A predominantly white community near Pittsburgh
Genre: Historical Fiction (Middle Grade Novel in Verse)
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson’s Radiant is a beautifully written, deeply moving novel in verse that captures the struggles and triumphs of a young Black girl coming of age in a turbulent time. Set in 1963, against the backdrop of the Birmingham church bombing and the Kennedy assassination, the novel follows Cooper Dale as she navigates the complexities of race, class, and self-acceptance in a predominantly white community.
Cooper is an instantly relatable and endearing protagonist. Her voice is authentic, brimming with honesty, vulnerability, and quiet strength. As she faces bullying, self-doubt, and the weight of the world’s injustices, she also finds joy in music, family, and the small victories that help her grow into herself. Nelson’s lyrical writing makes every emotion feel raw and immediate, immersing readers in Cooper’s journey of discovering what it truly means to “shine.”
This is a book that doesn’t just tell a story—it feels like an experience. It’s a poignant reminder of the power of resilience, love, and identity, making it a must-read for young readers and adults alike. Radiant is a shining gem of historical middle-grade fiction that will linger in your heart long after the final page. #netgalley #radiant #booked_this_weekend
December 26, 2024
Secretly, Cooper Dale wishes she were white. Maybe then her otherwise white fifth grade classmates would treat her like everyone else. But growing up Black in 1960s America is not easy at the best of times, and Cooper does whatever she can to avoid standing out. Despite the difficulties she faces, however, Cooper knows she can be radiant, even though accomplishing this goal is more challenging than she expects. And when she begins learning more about an unkind classmate’s life, Cooper finds that there is more than one way to shine bright. This middle grade novel in verse is told from Cooper’s perspective through brief but profound passages of text. The limited word choice and ample white space make the book highly accessible to a wide range of readers, and the poetry within the text makes the emotions Cooper feels remarkably palpable. From historical moments like the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to the daily microaggressions Cooper encounters at school, the narrative feels both honest and tangible for readers of all backgrounds. Cooper’s tenacity stands out throughout the novel, and the book serves as both a window and a mirror for readers depending on their own backgrounds and life experiences. Poignant and memorable, this is a positive addition to library collections for middle grade readers.
September 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Radiant by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson is such a heartfelt and powerful middle-grade novel in verse. It follows Cooper Dale, a young Black girl in 1960s Pennsylvania, as she struggles to figure out what it really means to “shine.” With the backdrop of major historical events like the Birmingham church bombing, President Kennedy’s assassination, and even the rise of the Beatles, Cooper’s personal journey of identity and belonging feels both intimate and deeply tied to history.
What really stood out to me was the honesty of Cooper’s voice. She sometimes wishes she weren’t Black because she feels like life would be easier, and that raw vulnerability broke my heart. But through the wisdom of her parents, the influence of her siblings, and the strength of her community, she learns to embrace who she is and discover her own light.
The verse format adds a lyrical, emotional touch to the story, making Cooper’s struggles and triumphs hit even harder. While the pacing is a little slower at times, the message and heart of the story more than make up for it.
This book is radiant in every sense of the word—a thoughtful, moving, and important read that I’m glad I picked up.
Radiant by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson is such a heartfelt and powerful middle-grade novel in verse. It follows Cooper Dale, a young Black girl in 1960s Pennsylvania, as she struggles to figure out what it really means to “shine.” With the backdrop of major historical events like the Birmingham church bombing, President Kennedy’s assassination, and even the rise of the Beatles, Cooper’s personal journey of identity and belonging feels both intimate and deeply tied to history.
What really stood out to me was the honesty of Cooper’s voice. She sometimes wishes she weren’t Black because she feels like life would be easier, and that raw vulnerability broke my heart. But through the wisdom of her parents, the influence of her siblings, and the strength of her community, she learns to embrace who she is and discover her own light.
The verse format adds a lyrical, emotional touch to the story, making Cooper’s struggles and triumphs hit even harder. While the pacing is a little slower at times, the message and heart of the story more than make up for it.
This book is radiant in every sense of the word—a thoughtful, moving, and important read that I’m glad I picked up.
August 26, 2024
It is 1963. The Beatles have just come to America, and Cooper Dale is in the 5th grade with a teacher she had heard horrible things about. She is the only Black child in class, and although she is told to be color blind about race, it doesn’t work quite the way the white people think it will.
Wade, the class bully, has taken it on himself to make her miserable, but is always she who gets in trouble if she does anything, such as stick her tongue out at him.
Told in blank verse, sparsely, but with enough details that was know what is going on, and how Cooper feels, about all things.
A beautiful look at what life was like, in 1963-64. So much happened. The book feels well researched, and reflects the feelings of that time, including the assassination of JFK.
The book is named Radiant, because Cooper doesn't want to just Shine, because that can mean other things, but wants to radiate like a star.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published the 7th of January 2025.
Wade, the class bully, has taken it on himself to make her miserable, but is always she who gets in trouble if she does anything, such as stick her tongue out at him.
Told in blank verse, sparsely, but with enough details that was know what is going on, and how Cooper feels, about all things.
A beautiful look at what life was like, in 1963-64. So much happened. The book feels well researched, and reflects the feelings of that time, including the assassination of JFK.
The book is named Radiant, because Cooper doesn't want to just Shine, because that can mean other things, but wants to radiate like a star.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published the 7th of January 2025.
August 30, 2025
The book takes place in the early 1960's. Cooper struggles with being black and everything that means in the era of segregation and blatant inequality. She begins the story by telling the reader she wishes she was white. She is the "wrong color," but also has to be in the classroom of the meanest teacher in the school. She wants to move on to sixth grade without having to be in her class. In addition, she is confronted by a bully, the son of her mother's bosses. She loves her mom, but doesn't want anyone to know her mom is a maid.
Cooper navigates fifth grade learning about herself, her culture, the bully, her siblings, and finds the Beatles and how to be proud of who she is.
I plan to share Cooper's story with my students. Although they are in sixth grade, I think they will enjoy the journey with Cooper. I also think the book with be accessible to students on many levels of reading ability and comprehension.
I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Cooper navigates fifth grade learning about herself, her culture, the bully, her siblings, and finds the Beatles and how to be proud of who she is.
I plan to share Cooper's story with my students. Although they are in sixth grade, I think they will enjoy the journey with Cooper. I also think the book with be accessible to students on many levels of reading ability and comprehension.
I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2025
There was a lot I enjoyed about this MG text in verse, first and foremost, Vaunda Micheaux Nelson’s style of writing. She makes excellent use of the verse medium, and I would absolutely discuss several of these poems in my classroom.
I wish she had explored more of the historical aspects of the setting. There are a few mentions of events (Kennedy’s assassination, the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show, etc.), but not much of a deep dive.
One aspect I personally struggled with was the significant presence of religion throughout the book. (Possible spoiler.) The main character spends most of the book working towards forgiving and empathizing with a racist classmate (particularly after learning his mother is sick), even though he demonstrates minimal remorse for his actions. I wasn’t expecting that to be the main plot of the story, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy.
I wish she had explored more of the historical aspects of the setting. There are a few mentions of events (Kennedy’s assassination, the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show, etc.), but not much of a deep dive.
One aspect I personally struggled with was the significant presence of religion throughout the book. (Possible spoiler.) The main character spends most of the book working towards forgiving and empathizing with a racist classmate (particularly after learning his mother is sick), even though he demonstrates minimal remorse for his actions. I wasn’t expecting that to be the main plot of the story, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy.
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