Recognize!: An Anthology Honoring and Amplifying Black Life by Wade Hudson

Recognize!: An Anthology Honoring and Amplifying Black Life Reviews

• 
  Bookishrealm

  Anthologies are usually difficult for me to rate because of the variety of stories. Surprisingly, I didn't feel that way with this one and really enjoyed the variety of voices and perspectives from all the authors included.
  
  Recognize!: An Anthology Honoring and Amplifying Black Life is a book full of the best of the best Black children/middle grade authors. Honestly, I love the mix of old school and new school with pieces from authors like Sharon Draper, Wade Hudson, Nikki Grimes to Kwame Mbalia, Mahogany L. Browne, and Kelly Starling Lyons. It was interesting so many different creative ways in which the authors wanted to illustrated the importance of Black Life. Based on the cover alone, I was fearful that the entire book was going to be full of heavy content, but it was actually a nice balance. Some pieces covered historical moments, some more recent events tied to BLM and police brutality, others were tied to personal epiphanies, while others sought to provide positive affirmations for young Black children. As a whole, it illustrated that while the goals of the authors was the same, the manner in which they conveyed that goal was different. Even the format of each story was different. There was prose, poetry, full page art pieces, comics, and more. For a middle grade audience, I think having an anthology formatted in this way makes the work as a whole more accessible to the reader. It honestly took me just a single day to finish this book and I attempted to slowly devour each part of every story. By far, my favorite pieces came from Kwame Mbalia, Ibi Ziboi, and Carole B. Weatherford. The formatting and stylistic writing of their pieces really spoke to me as an adult reader. I'm not sure how many people are familiar with this book, but I know that it is definitely one that will work well as a read a loud and maybe discussion pieces for older readers with caregivers. And it is definitely a book that should be all local and school libraries.
• 
  Kellee Moye

  Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the access to the early copy of this text. Although a few contributions short of complete, it is obvious that this book is one of great magnitude that will scream for readers to recognize the greatness. Definitely should be in all middle and high school classrooms and libraries.
• 
  Shawn

  A fast-paced anthology of short stories, poems, essays, cartoons, and more that illustrate and celebrate the complexity of black lives, meant for younger readers, and compiled in the wake of the murder of George Floyd and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. I loved the mix of tidbits of Black history and contemporary personal stories, and even though it barely mentions hip hop or rap music, this collection is connected through its activist spirit and recognition of the complexity and beauty of Black achievement in the US.
• 
  chris

  Every kid deserves to see themselves in a story. No matter who they are. ("Black Boy Reading" by Ronald L. Smith)
  
  I know another world is possible and that we will have to fight to birth her. She's coming. ("An Interview with DeRay Mckesson")
• 
  Chris

  A collection of thoughts in the form of essays, poems, illustrations, and more reflecting on and reacting to the idea that Black Lives Matter--as both a general idea and a historical moment. Interspersed with original, contemporary pieces are selections from historical figures such as Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and Frederick Douglass. It makes for a wonderfully diverse mix. I've found the Hudsons' similar, related anthologies more powerful and moving overall, though this is still a worthy addition to the mix.
  
  My favorite piece:
  

  At Our Kitchen Table
  
  by Lesa Cline-Ransome
  
  At our kitchen table
  we bow our heads
  in blessing
  of an abundance
  of family
  food
  and conversation
  rising as fiercely
  as the storms of
  sickness and unrest
  gather
  outside our door
  
  At our kitchen table
  over braised short ribs
  roasted potatoes and sautéed spinach
  we scoop seconds
  and wonder
  how bird-watching
  and dog walking
  become
  sporting season
  on Black men
  in Central Park
  
  At our kitchen table
  we scrape our plates clean
  of white beans and smoked turkey
  and marvel at friends and allies who
  step up
  step out
  speak up
  call out
  the
  All Lives-ing
  Blue Lives-ing
  Whatabout-ing
  Both sides-ing
  folks who see
  red, white, and blue
  but are blind to
  the lives of
  Black and brown
  
  At our kitchen table
  we swallow
  lemon shrimp
  and pasta
  tossed with parsley
  and force down the
  bitter taste of
  name after name
  night after night
  flashed across the screen
  Ahmaud
  Breonna
  George
  Jacob
  as we sit swallowing
  heaping helpings of
  hurt
  pain
  rage
  onto our plates
  
  At our kitchen table
  we wipe our chins
  of warm triple-berry cobbler
  and vanilla ice cream
  and savor the sweetness
  of legend
  John Lewis
  living a life of good trouble
  in Atlanta
  in Selma
  in Washington, DC,
  across the Edmund Pettus Bridge
  gone now
  his spirit
  still marching us
  forward
  
  At our kitchen table
  we gather to
  shed tears
  offer prayers
  send money
  write letters
  draw posters
  make plans
  until we too
  rise up
  as a family and
  step out
  to walk
  to shout
  in protest
  Do
  You
  See
  Us
  Now
  
  After
  Days
  Weeks
  Months
  of the world
  tearing us to pieces
  it is our talk
  of hurt and history
  rage and resistance
  at our kitchen table
  that makes us all
  whole again
• 
  Barbara

  This collection of essays, poems, short stories, historical notes, and artwork is a 3.5 for me. Centering each entry around the idea that black lives do, indeed, matter, the book reminds readers of how the roots of civil rights and black consciousness as well as the progress that has been made and steps that need to be taken to prompt change in the future. By mingling past, present, and future, the entries resonate with readers on a historical, political, and personal level. All of the contributions are sure to spark reflection and conversation, but my favorites were Lisa Cline-Ransome's "At Our Kitchen Table," Kelly Starling Lyons' letter to her son, "Joy Lives in You," Nikki Grimes' "Witness," Don Tate's "How to Be an Activist, and Robert Miller's "My Hero Is a Black Cowboy." Hearing again voices from the past such as James Baldwin, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, and Mary McLeod Bethune as well as Wade Hudson's "Black Lives Have Always Mattered" puts all this into context and prompts contemplation. I only wish there had been even more entries, and I remain grateful to Cheryl Willis Hudson and Wade Hudson for this accessible book and the important work to which they have dedicated their lives.
• 
  AUDIOBOOKIN MY AZZ OFF

  Recognize!: An Anthology Honoring and Amplifying Black Life
  by Wade Hudson
  Published October 12, 2021
  
  <3 <3 <3
  
  In the stunning follow-up to The Talk: Conversations About Race, Love & Truth, award-winning Black authors and artists come together to create a moving anthology collection celebrating Black love, Black creativity, Black resistance, and Black life.
  
  "A multifaceted, sometimes disheartening, yet consistently enriching primer on the unyielding necessity of those three words: Black Lives Matter." -Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
  
  BLACK LIVES HAVE ALWAYS MATTERED.
  
  Prominent Black creators lend their voice, their insight, and their talent to an inspiring anthology that celebrates Black culture and Black life. Essays, poems, short stories, and historical excerpts capture the pride, prestige, and jubilation that is being Black in America. In this audiobook, find the stories of the past, the journeys of the present, and the light guiding the future.
  
  BLACK LIVES WILL ALWAYS MATTER.
• 
  Jan

  In these polarizing times, this welcome anthology spotlights and celebrates the work of Black artists, writers and activists, while fostering an understanding and appreciation of what communities of color have always known, that Black Lives Matter. Comprising prose, poetry, letters, interviews, cartoons, and an insert of color plates displaying the work of black artists, this timely publication offers insight for readers, as we struggle to move forward and make meaningful connections amidst the anger and fear that divide us. In the book's dedication, we learn that Nikki Grimes suggested that Wade and Cheryl Willis Hudson compile an anthology honoring Black life; we are grateful that the Hudsons heeded her advice. End matter includes brief biographies of historic black leaders discussed in the volume, as well as bios of its contributors, with photos of each subject. Sources, photo credits and Contributor Copyright are also listed. Unfortunately, the anthology is not indexed.
• 
  Amber Brooks

  Recognize the magic of Black (and biracial) authors who outline the beauty, hardships, and blessings of being Black. Recognize the power of words to uplift you in a society that seeks to actively diminish and destroy your life, legacy, and impact, Recognize the Black joy that is celebrated despite the numerous hardships endured in life. Recognize the work of phenomenal authors, activists, and advocates in this book, "Recognize!" I, especially, love the story of Mother Hamilton's stories that helps Brianna overcome. I love reading Browne's poetry because they always speak to my spirit. I love to be reminded of Douglass' speech about the 4th of July to the slave. I don't have enough great things to say about this book. I will be purchasing several copies for my personal library, my classroom library, and the school's library.
• 
  Carolina Colleene

  Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
  With 33 collaborators, this anthology reaches out to readers through nearly every possible format. Artwork, poems, essays, short stories, letters, comics, historical texts, and even an interview all work together to emphasize our wholeness as people.
  Each contribution in this collection is an exclamation point to the phrase “Black Lives Matter.” Readers struggle with the authors as they try to put into words their feelings and experiences, as we learn to recognize what the issue is and how to address it. Because, in the end, we are each of worth and are never less than all of who we are. The mature content rating is for mentions of drugs and alcohol. The violence rating is for mentions of threats, assault, guns, shootings, and murder.
  Reviewed for
  https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
• 
  Cathy

  By using text from different time periods, although the use of the term Black Lives Matter is contemporary, the importance of black lives in American culture is timeless. The powerful statements by Frederick Douglass and James Baldwin are just as timely as the portrait of Breonna Taylor by London Ladd, which means that this anthology will hold up against the test of time because Black Lives will always Matter.
• 
  Lindie

  I randomly grabbed this off the shelf at the library for my 4th grade child who is into all things social justice. I'm really glad I did! She and I read it together at bedtime and had some really great discussions come from it. This book is filled with short stories, memoirs, poems and art. I will say that there were a few stories that were either over her head or not as interesting to her. But most of it captured both of us.
  
• 
  Lellie Reads

  Every now and then I get an ARC where I definitely know I'm going to grab a physical copy when it releases. This is a lovely book. Oftentimes with anthologies, some authors' pieces are glaringly better than others and it makes for a wishy-washy reading experience, but this one is filled with amazing pieces across a few different genres. This is one for every middle grade library and I can't wait for pub day because I will get a copy and spread the word about this one on my blog!
  
  Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. (It took a long time because I couldn't figure out how to get the encoded PDF to open, which I was eventually able to do on the computer but never on my phone/in the app in case anyone else was having a hard time opening the file.)
• 
  Danielle Russell

  Recognize is an inspirational collection of short stories, essays, art and poems that tell the story of being a Black American. The cover immediately caught my attention, and I knew this would be a powerful read!
  
  Three word summary: Black Lives Matter
  
  
  Thank you to Netgalley for the free, advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Amanda Jacobsmeyer

  I definitely realize that I am not the target demographic for this book, but I did think it was a really great resource for those who are! Interesting essays that show a 3D view of Black life - honesty about the hard stuff but also highlighting and emphasizing Black joy. With several different formats and authors, it was an engaging mix of storytelling.
• 
  Jeanne

  This is a beautifully written book that I've added to my arsenal to increase my stamina in acknowledging my place in White supremacy and white privilege. I'm still grappling with what I can do, personally, to create an equitable society that unfairly favors any one group over another.
• 
  Olivia

  This is truly a one of a kind and unique collection of poetry, essays and powerful thoughts on how Black Lives Matter- I got this from my local library but definitely plan on purchasing it.
  So many great things in this book.
  Highly recommend.
  
• 
  Mary Lee

  Excellent collection!
• 
  PottWab Regional Library

  O
• 
  Carrie

  Such a great mix of voices and images, a powerful introduction to many authors and artists
• 
  Jeimy

  Brief yet powerful, this uplifting collection of historical and contemporary writers belongs in every classroom library.
• 
  Jessie

  This book! It gets filed under my list of books that all humans should read. Real, raw, passionate, eye opening — it’s just so good.
• 
  Desiree

  Recognize! is a beautiful blend of poetry, history, and thought provoking prose. Each element allows the reader to recognize and celebrate the beauty of black life.
• 
  Amy

  Phenomenal reas. Quick and easily palatable for younger readers. Pieces were well picked and often emotional. (See: The Slave Mother)
• 
  BiblioBrandie

  A wonderful anthology of voices and perspectives from some of the best middle-grade/YA authors. I loved the variety of fiction, non-fiction, art, poetry...there is something for everyone!
  
• 
  Pamela

  I liked Wade Hudson’s “Black Lives Have Always Mattered.” Amen to that.
• 
  Jennifer

  Excellent introduction to the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement and some powerful thoughts on the beauty of being Black. Perfect for the middle school crowd.