Hello, World! here is my first book review:

Book Review #1, Crown: An ode to the Fresh Cut

1.       Bibliography: Barnes, Derrick. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut. Chicago: Bolden, an Agate Imprint, 2017. ISBN 9781572842243

2.       Plot Summary: This is the story of a young boy getting a haircut at his local barber shop. The story takes readers through all of the positive impacts that a new haircut can have on a person. A new haircut can be empowering, giving the confidence to do well in school, or talk to a girl you might be crushing on. At the end, the boy tips his barber well, knowing the impact his cut will have.

3.       Critical Analysis: One of the most beautiful pieces of this book are the illustrations. They look like oil paintings. The faces are very realistic and are central to the illustrations. Many of the pages also offer contrasting colors (yellow, red, blue) in the background to showcase the facial features even more. The illustrations look as though they were modelled after real people in a barber shop. The idea that something so simple could be life changing transcends on each page. The prose is very eloquent; it is obvious that the author chose each word carefully. Reading the book is almost like reading a long poem.

4.       Review Excerpts:

Newbery Honor Book

Caldecott Honor Book

Coretta Scott King Honor Book

Ezra Jacket Keats Book Award

From School Library Journal, Kristen Todd-Wurm, "While a trip to the barbershop is the main story line, the themes of confidence-building, self-esteem, and joy of young black boys are the important takeaways, and the illustrations jump off the page and invite readers to the share in the experience. VERDICT: A super fun read-aloud, this title is a recommended purchase for all picture book collections."

From The Horn Book, "Alternately precise, metaphorical, and culturally specific, Barnes's descriptions make each page a serendipity."

From Kirkus Reviews, "One of the best reads for young black boys in years, it should be in every library, media center, and yes, barbershop."

5.       Connections: Gather other stories that focus on hair such as

·         Cherry, Matthew. Hair Love. ISBN: 9780525553366

·         Cabrera, Cozbi. My Hair is a Garden. ISBN: 9780807509234

·         Austin, Phoenyx. Love your Hair. ISBN: 9780984863044

Have a local barber join story time and talk about the profession.

Use it as part of a Black Pride display with the following books:

·         Joy, Angela. Black is a Rainbow Color. ISBN: 9781626726314

·         Curry, Parker. Parker Looks Up. ISBN: 9781534451865

·         Cornwall, Gaia. Jabari Jumps. ISBN: 9781536202908

·         Barton, Chris. Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super Soaking Stream of Inventions. ISBN: 9781580892971

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