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Say Her Name
From award-winning author Zetta Elliott comes a stirring and powerful poetry collection that reveals the beauty, danger, and magic found at the intersection of race and gender.
Inspired by the #SayHerName campaign launched by the African American Policy Forum, these poems pay tribute to victims of police brutality as well as the activists insisting that Black Lives Matter. Elliott engages poets from the past two centuries to create a chorus of voices celebrating the creativity, resilience, and courage of Black women and girls.
This collection features forty-nine powerful poems, four of which are tribute poems inspired by the works of Lucille Clifton, Audre Lorde, Nikki Giovanni, and Phillis Wheatley.
This provocative collection will move every reader to reflect, respond-and act.
Inspired by the #SayHerName campaign launched by the African American Policy Forum, these poems pay tribute to victims of police brutality as well as the activists insisting that Black Lives Matter. Elliott engages poets from the past two centuries to create a chorus of voices celebrating the creativity, resilience, and courage of Black women and girls.
This collection features forty-nine powerful poems, four of which are tribute poems inspired by the works of Lucille Clifton, Audre Lorde, Nikki Giovanni, and Phillis Wheatley.
This provocative collection will move every reader to reflect, respond-and act.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published January 14, 2020
21 people are currently reading
2504 people want to read
About the author
Zetta Elliott
80 books440 followersI’m a Black feminist writer of poetry, plays, essays, novels, and stories for children. I was born and raised in Canada, but have lived in the US for 30 years. I earned my PhD in American Studies from NYU in 2003; I have taught at Ohio University, Louisiana State University, Mount Holyoke College, Hunter College, Bard High School Early College, and Borough of Manhattan Community College.
My poetry has been published in New Daughters of Africa, We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices, the Cave Canem anthology, The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South, Check the Rhyme: an Anthology of Female Poets and Emcees, and Coloring Book: an Eclectic Anthology of Fiction and Poetry by Multicultural Writers.
My novella, Plastique, was excerpted in T Dot Griots: an Anthology of Toronto’s Black Storytellers, and my plays have been staged in New York, Cleveland, and Chicago. My essays have appeared in School Library Journal, Horn Book, and Publishers Weekly. My short story, “The Ghost in Her Bones,” was published in a 2020 special issue of Obsidian.
My picture book, Bird, won the Honor Award in Lee & Low Books’ New Voices Contest and the Paterson Prize for Books for Young Readers. My young adult novel, A Wish After Midnight, has been called “a revelation…vivid, violent and impressive history.” Ship of Souls was published in February 2012; it was named a Booklist Top Ten Sci-fi/Fantasy Title for Youth and was a finalist for the Phillis Wheatley Book Award. My short story, “Sweet Sixteen,” was published in Cornered: 14 Stories of Bullying and Defiance in July 2012. My YA novel, The Door at the Crossroads, was a finalist in the Speculative Fiction category of the 2017 Cybils Awards, and my picture book, Melena’s Jubilee, won a 2017 Skipping Stones Honor Award. I received the Children’s Literature Association’s Article Award for my 2014 essay, “The Trouble with Magic: Conjuring the Past in New York City Parks.”
I am an advocate for greater diversity and equity in publishing, and I have self-published numerous illustrated books for younger readers under my own imprint, Rosetta Press; 3 were named Best of the Year by the Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature, and Benny Doesn’t Like to Be Hugged is a first-grade fiction selection for the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Dragons in a Bag, a middle grade fantasy novel, was published by Random House in 2018; the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) named it a Notable Children’s Book. Its sequel, The Dragon Thief, was named a Best Middle Grade Book of 2019 by CBC Books. The fifth book in the series, The War of the Witches, will be published in January 2024. The prequel will be self-published in 2024.
Say Her Name, a young adult poetry collection, was published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in January 2020; it was named a 2020 Book of the Year for Young People by Quill & Quire and a 2020 “Best of the Best” YA Title by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association; it was also a nominee for the YALSA 2021 Excellence in Nonfiction Award and a Top Ten title for Rise: A Feminist Book Project. Say Her Name won the 2021 Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry.
A Place Inside of Me: a Poem to Heal the Heart from FSG was named an ALA Notable Book and a Notable Poetry Book by the National Council of Teachers of English; it won a 2021 Skipping Stones Honor Award and Noa Denmon won the Caldecott Honor Award for her stunning illustrations. Moonwalking (FSG 2022), a middle grade verse novel co-authored with Lyn Miller-Lachmann earned four starred reviews and was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection; it made the NYPL and Bank Street College of Education’s Best Books of 2022 lists, was one of Kirkus Reviews’ 100 Best Middle Grade Books, and made the 2023 Notable Books for a Global Society list. The National Education Association has selected Moonwalking for its 2024 Read Across America program.
I was honored to
My poetry has been published in New Daughters of Africa, We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices, the Cave Canem anthology, The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South, Check the Rhyme: an Anthology of Female Poets and Emcees, and Coloring Book: an Eclectic Anthology of Fiction and Poetry by Multicultural Writers.
My novella, Plastique, was excerpted in T Dot Griots: an Anthology of Toronto’s Black Storytellers, and my plays have been staged in New York, Cleveland, and Chicago. My essays have appeared in School Library Journal, Horn Book, and Publishers Weekly. My short story, “The Ghost in Her Bones,” was published in a 2020 special issue of Obsidian.
My picture book, Bird, won the Honor Award in Lee & Low Books’ New Voices Contest and the Paterson Prize for Books for Young Readers. My young adult novel, A Wish After Midnight, has been called “a revelation…vivid, violent and impressive history.” Ship of Souls was published in February 2012; it was named a Booklist Top Ten Sci-fi/Fantasy Title for Youth and was a finalist for the Phillis Wheatley Book Award. My short story, “Sweet Sixteen,” was published in Cornered: 14 Stories of Bullying and Defiance in July 2012. My YA novel, The Door at the Crossroads, was a finalist in the Speculative Fiction category of the 2017 Cybils Awards, and my picture book, Melena’s Jubilee, won a 2017 Skipping Stones Honor Award. I received the Children’s Literature Association’s Article Award for my 2014 essay, “The Trouble with Magic: Conjuring the Past in New York City Parks.”
I am an advocate for greater diversity and equity in publishing, and I have self-published numerous illustrated books for younger readers under my own imprint, Rosetta Press; 3 were named Best of the Year by the Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature, and Benny Doesn’t Like to Be Hugged is a first-grade fiction selection for the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Dragons in a Bag, a middle grade fantasy novel, was published by Random House in 2018; the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) named it a Notable Children’s Book. Its sequel, The Dragon Thief, was named a Best Middle Grade Book of 2019 by CBC Books. The fifth book in the series, The War of the Witches, will be published in January 2024. The prequel will be self-published in 2024.
Say Her Name, a young adult poetry collection, was published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in January 2020; it was named a 2020 Book of the Year for Young People by Quill & Quire and a 2020 “Best of the Best” YA Title by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association; it was also a nominee for the YALSA 2021 Excellence in Nonfiction Award and a Top Ten title for Rise: A Feminist Book Project. Say Her Name won the 2021 Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry.
A Place Inside of Me: a Poem to Heal the Heart from FSG was named an ALA Notable Book and a Notable Poetry Book by the National Council of Teachers of English; it won a 2021 Skipping Stones Honor Award and Noa Denmon won the Caldecott Honor Award for her stunning illustrations. Moonwalking (FSG 2022), a middle grade verse novel co-authored with Lyn Miller-Lachmann earned four starred reviews and was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection; it made the NYPL and Bank Street College of Education’s Best Books of 2022 lists, was one of Kirkus Reviews’ 100 Best Middle Grade Books, and made the 2023 Notable Books for a Global Society list. The National Education Association has selected Moonwalking for its 2024 Read Across America program.
I was honored to
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 295 reviews
June 9, 2020
This was a collection of black feminist and activist poetry. Some of the poems I liked more than others. Overal, I really liked the idea of the collection and how rejuvenating and energetic it was. It wasn't quite my style of poetry - it is better suited to fans of Rupi Kaur and Atticus. But some of them did strike a match in my heart. For some of them I think the rhythm was a tiny bit off and oculd have been great with some fine tuning, but all in all the subject matter of these poems is what stands out most. It was done so well.
May 1, 2025
A short, illustrated collection of poetry on themes of uplifting Black voices, acknowledging Black rage and heartbreak, but also Black creativity and brilliance. Woven through with references to Audre Lorde, Phillis Wheatley, Maya Angelou, Nina Simone, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ida B Wells, Beyoncé, Gwendolyn Brooks, James Baldwin, Nikki Giovanni and the Combahee River Collective. I don't usually sit down and read a poetry collection in just two sittings but this one I did!
December 3, 2020
This beautifully cultivated and curated book of poems is a masterpiece of empowerment and passion. Elliot takes the reader on a journey that celebrates the beauty and magic of being a black woman while also addressing the heartbreaking and enraging realities that women of color must face daily. Her words are powerful, and her message is clear: We must elevate black voices and stories, we must celebrate diversity and we must fight for justice.
Favorite Poems:
Black Girl Miracle
Black Lives Matter
Don't Touch my Hair
Tsunami
Say Her Name
Sister
#Petty
Favorite Poems:
Black Girl Miracle
Black Lives Matter
Don't Touch my Hair
Tsunami
Say Her Name
Sister
#Petty
June 3, 2020
A powerful, moving and important poetry collection with a wonderfully narrated audiobook.
August 29, 2020
BLACK LIVES MATTER!
If you are part of the Poetry Police, this collection of poems is not for you. Being a lover of traditional poetry myself, I’m still in the early stages of understanding and appreciating this kind of visual poetry, but I have never policed or shunned any kind of writing and firmly believe that all types of poetic forms are beautiful as long as the thought or the idea is conveyed to the reader.
Say Her Name is about the struggle to live in a society distributed on the basis of skin colour. The verses were powerful and thought provoking. Since I listened to the audiobook, I felt the pain of black women seeping through me, making me both mad and sad at the same time. Read it if you too believe in Black Girl Magic!
TW: Racism, Violence, Sexual Abuse.
3.5/5🌟.
If you are part of the Poetry Police, this collection of poems is not for you. Being a lover of traditional poetry myself, I’m still in the early stages of understanding and appreciating this kind of visual poetry, but I have never policed or shunned any kind of writing and firmly believe that all types of poetic forms are beautiful as long as the thought or the idea is conveyed to the reader.
Say Her Name is about the struggle to live in a society distributed on the basis of skin colour. The verses were powerful and thought provoking. Since I listened to the audiobook, I felt the pain of black women seeping through me, making me both mad and sad at the same time. Read it if you too believe in Black Girl Magic!
TW: Racism, Violence, Sexual Abuse.
3.5/5🌟.
June 30, 2020
this small poetry collection made me happy, sad, and angry at the same time. it touched me in a way only poetry does. not only does it talk about police brutality against Black people, but it also deals with the violence queer Black women experience on a daily basis.
I loved that the author took the time at the end to explain all the different references she used in her poems, it made some of them even more impactful!
I loved that the author took the time at the end to explain all the different references she used in her poems, it made some of them even more impactful!
May 9, 2021
We are wise. We
will rise. We
fight hate. We
tempt fate. We
risk all. We
stand tall. We
provoke. We
stay woke.
will rise. We
fight hate. We
tempt fate. We
risk all. We
stand tall. We
provoke. We
stay woke.
April 20, 2020
This is a powerful and accesible poetry collection about black girl magic. It does an amazing job of incoporating both current events and the works of an earlier generation of black poets.
At the end of the book the author provides information about the inspiration for specific poems and the references that are included and that makes this collection even more fascinating.
September 26, 2020
Loved this little book of powerful poems and gorgeous illustrations!
March 12, 2020
Listened to this on audiobook. Although the poems do not have to do with me, these are extremely good and highly recommend reading or listening to them!
June 19, 2020
4.75
Loved this! The poems were beautiful and important and the illustrations were stunning!
Loved this! The poems were beautiful and important and the illustrations were stunning!
May 7, 2020
This was a fantastic, beautiful, wonderful compilation of poems. I read nearly all of these out loud–and they deserved to be. These poems are meant to be spoken, to be heard. Each poem gave me nonstop chills, and I wish I could share these with absolutely everyone. They need to be shared. I want to claim these poems, but I know they aren’t for me. But please, everyone, read them. Share them.
Elliott employs different styles of poetry, and it makes me wonder if it’s talent that Elliott has, or if hard work and probably multiple revisions have made her writing as successful as it is.
I can’t suggest reading this enough. It’s colorful, magical, and makes poetry more beautiful than it already is.
Review cross-listed here!
Elliott employs different styles of poetry, and it makes me wonder if it’s talent that Elliott has, or if hard work and probably multiple revisions have made her writing as successful as it is.
I can’t suggest reading this enough. It’s colorful, magical, and makes poetry more beautiful than it already is.
Review cross-listed here!
February 1, 2021
(c/p from my review on TheStoryGraph) A good first book of poetry. It had moments that left me sitting there really thinking about what I read. But some of the poems just didn't work for me. A little too short, a little too telling instead of showing. Otherwise a totally amazing collection. Still well worth the read. The trigger warnings for this book are more or less exactly what you'd expect (racism, sexism, including mentions of rape and sexual assault)
July 15, 2021
Listened to the audiobook via Scribd!
I absolutely loved this collection of black feminist and powerful poetry, narrated so passionately and beautifully. I genuinely have nothing else to say other than please go and buy a copy/listen to the audiobook as soon as you can.
L I N K S:
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I absolutely loved this collection of black feminist and powerful poetry, narrated so passionately and beautifully. I genuinely have nothing else to say other than please go and buy a copy/listen to the audiobook as soon as you can.
L I N K S:
My Wishlist-https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...
Twitter- www.Twitter.com/AllyBookKnot
Ko-Fi-https://ko-fi.com/alicemtb44
Affiliate Link for Waterstones-http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmi...
Affiliate Link for Book Depository-https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinm...
Affiliate Link for Blackwells UK-https://www.blackwells.co.uk/?a_aid=A...
February 19, 2020
This is such a beautiful book of poetry through and through. The cover art and illustrations are just as amazing. Zeta Elliott’s words are ones that will stay with me. I highly recommend reading this.
June 28, 2020
I would read each poem and then reread and then reread it again. Say Her Name is that good! I’m not sure the publisher could have found a more perfect artist. I was disappointed to see that Loveis Wise hasn’t illustrated other books but happy at the same time to know that Say Her Name is extra special to showcase her work.
July 3, 2020
tw violence, sexual assault, racism
November 9, 2019
This collection of haikus written for us by us is an amazing way to celebrate black girl magic. This book showcases the diversity of what it means to be a black woman. It features classics like Audre Lorde’s “A Woman Speaks” and Lucille Clifton’s “Won’t You Celebrate with Me” as well as modern haikus featuring topics that affect black women today.
When I read this book I am reminded of the line in F.U.B.U. by Solange that reads, “Don't feel bad if you can't sing along, just be glad you got the whole wide world.” While this book can be read by anyone, it’s impact is most greatly felt by the women it represents. This book feels like that, a warm hug from your mom, grandma, auntie, cousin, friend, or partner.
From an educational standpoint, the notes in the back make these haiku’s the perfect Segway into many timely topics that can be discussed in a language arts, history or social justice classroom. The notes give the reader a deeper look into the background of the haiku for which it’s written. I would recommend this book for Intermediate/Senior grades and well into the College/University level.
When I read this book I am reminded of the line in F.U.B.U. by Solange that reads, “Don't feel bad if you can't sing along, just be glad you got the whole wide world.” While this book can be read by anyone, it’s impact is most greatly felt by the women it represents. This book feels like that, a warm hug from your mom, grandma, auntie, cousin, friend, or partner.
From an educational standpoint, the notes in the back make these haiku’s the perfect Segway into many timely topics that can be discussed in a language arts, history or social justice classroom. The notes give the reader a deeper look into the background of the haiku for which it’s written. I would recommend this book for Intermediate/Senior grades and well into the College/University level.
January 14, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! Review to post in January...!
Updated on 1/14/20:
This is a fantastic collection of poems, and I love the variety of personas, characters, subjects, inter-textual aspects, themes, and global considerations. The attention to tone and placement is masterful, and the voices are authentic, developed, and individualized.
I will absolutely be teaching these works in the Young Adult section of my Children's Literature course.
The notes section will be particularly useful for younger readers, who may not be as well versed in some of the historical, interdisciplinary, and cultural connections.
A riveting collection to be sure. I can't wait for Elliott's next work -
Updated on 1/14/20:
This is a fantastic collection of poems, and I love the variety of personas, characters, subjects, inter-textual aspects, themes, and global considerations. The attention to tone and placement is masterful, and the voices are authentic, developed, and individualized.
I will absolutely be teaching these works in the Young Adult section of my Children's Literature course.
The notes section will be particularly useful for younger readers, who may not be as well versed in some of the historical, interdisciplinary, and cultural connections.
A riveting collection to be sure. I can't wait for Elliott's next work -
November 3, 2020
TW/CW: racism, police brutality, stabbing, murder
I really enjoyed this poetry collection focused on Black girl magic, oppression, and police brutality. The poems pulled at my heartstrings. This is a perfect coffee table book and I'd recommend it!
We will not apologize for our rage
You earned every drop- Tsunami
No problem’s solved until it’s faced,
But we have no time left to waste. - Say Her Name
I really enjoyed this poetry collection focused on Black girl magic, oppression, and police brutality. The poems pulled at my heartstrings. This is a perfect coffee table book and I'd recommend it!
We will not apologize for our rage
You earned every drop- Tsunami
No problem’s solved until it’s faced,
But we have no time left to waste. - Say Her Name
January 20, 2020
This was such a gorgeous collection, the writing and the art. I loved every page.
June 26, 2020
Beautiful, powerful, important poetry for today's youth!
Black Girl Magic
Black Lives Matter
We Shall Overcome
Say Her Name
Hands Up
Rebel
Black Girl Magic
Black Lives Matter
We Shall Overcome
Say Her Name
Hands Up
Rebel
June 29, 2020
I greedily gobbled this up in a single sitting. I know that I am going to come back tomorrow and read it again.
November 14, 2020
#SayHerName is such an important collection of poems related to black women of today. Black women are the most copied race/ group of people yet the most disrespected. Black women have and is doing a lot and accomplishing more than ever but it doesn't end there.
So many black women are getting mistreated and killed and no one (white media) doesn't talk about it. The image that is out on TV about black women are not true, we are well versed and cultured but that will never be showcased on white media.
I absolutely loved this and I will re read this again. Beautifully written and talked a lot about what's going on today that black women face everyday. I'm proud to be female but more importantly damn proud to be black! This collection of poems needs to be required reading for schools.
I loved this!
So many black women are getting mistreated and killed and no one (white media) doesn't talk about it. The image that is out on TV about black women are not true, we are well versed and cultured but that will never be showcased on white media.
I absolutely loved this and I will re read this again. Beautifully written and talked a lot about what's going on today that black women face everyday. I'm proud to be female but more importantly damn proud to be black! This collection of poems needs to be required reading for schools.
I loved this!
October 17, 2020
What a fabulous book of strength, resilience, and hope. These poems are poignant - they speak of unbearable pain and of a spirit that continues to rise up and be heard. They are encouraging - despite unspeakable tragedy after tragedy, the spirit wants to rise and live and love. Elliott clearly depicts that women of color can look to their ancestors and each other to keep going. I cannot begin to fathom the depths of the pain women of color bear, and I realize anew how much I take for granted in my white skin. The poems here are also well-crafted, full of rich imagery and allusions. I feel honored to be a recipient of these words.
July 22, 2020
Absolutely beautiful. I made a list of womyn to give this book to as soon as possible. Want to order multiple copies for my classroom. It makes me want to write. To let my students write. To write and share and speak and perform our truths!
August 27, 2020
I loved this collection of poetry and I imagine I'll be returning to it over and over this semester to use individual poems as connecting and mentor texts as well as "write-froms." The artwork is gorgeous (it's just a beautiful book to look at) and I really appreciated the author notes which attend to history, current events, social movements, literary movements, language and craft.
July 4, 2020
A truly outstanding collection of timely and crucial poems for youth. I’ve bookmarked some to use as mentor texts and for appreciation. Includes notes that explain what inspire many of the poems and the various shoutouts.
March 3, 2023
This was really good. A lot of the poems gave me goosebumps. Obviously being a white women I couldn’t relate to all the poems, but I related to some and the others I just found to be so powerful. I really liked at the end of this there was background information on some of the poems. A lot of them made me angry as well because of the injustices in the world.
June 14, 2021
I don't really know how to objectively review poetry, but this collection of poems moved me in a way I don't really know how to describe. The emotions of each poem really grabbed me. Each page built a collective identity of a Black woman in a way that was powerful and compassionate. I enjoyed this collection immensely and would definitely read another collection by Elliott.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 295 reviews