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beecheralyson's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one. The poetry and quotes are a nice compliment.
falconerreader's review against another edition
5.0
I love the art, the free verse poetry, and the quotes from historical documents. They interact beautifully in this always-timely book.
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
3.0
Love the sentiment, wish the quotes had been spread evenly, and the poem lacks flow for me. The illustrations are lovely and convey the diversity of America.
shayemiller's review against another edition
4.0
One of my continual prayers during this entire election season is for healing of my nation. The division seems worse than ever and I am concerned about what happens next as I hear discussion of truck driver’s strikes, or worse, people advocating civil war. So there was something rather soothing in this book of poems, focused on America’s struggles through the ages to live up to our ideals. Written in lyrical free verse, and with interesting use of white space, many famous quotes are interspersed with illustrations of historical people and events. The back matter was quite helpful by expounding on each showcased quote and sharing its historical significance. Additionally, there’s an entire page of art notes sharing the details of each painting and individual. The Author’s Note and Artist’s Note appear just after the title page and set the tone for the entire book, explaining personal experiences and examination of history, which eventually led to the birth of this book. With those words in mind, it can be a rather powerful and comforting read.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
arisbookcorner's review against another edition
3.0
While I had my little disclaimer above stating that I'm not an expert at judging artwork, but I did notice something particularly cool about the paintings in this book. The paintings resemble murals and they merge into each other. There's one picture with a Black man surfing and then another Black man standing with his arms spread out which merges into a picture of Amelia Earhart. I would say that this book should have been more specific about who was in each picture because like in the example I used, I have no idea who the Black guy is. Some of the pictures aren't meant to depict only famous Americans but just Americans of all different colors and backgrounds living their lives but it's unclear when it's famous people or when it's 'ordinary' people.
The poetry works so well with this story, I think it might actually be one of the best ways to show pride in your country because poetry seems to be so personal. Each phrase seems to have been chosen with care, presenting a vivid picture of the various sides of America. The quotes all tie in well with the pictures and verses, the pictures are diverse. This is not just White America or Black America or Latino America or Asian America, it's the salad America where so many wonderful shades and cultures are represented and respected.
The poetry works so well with this story, I think it might actually be one of the best ways to show pride in your country because poetry seems to be so personal. Each phrase seems to have been chosen with care, presenting a vivid picture of the various sides of America. The quotes all tie in well with the pictures and verses, the pictures are diverse. This is not just White America or Black America or Latino America or Asian America, it's the salad America where so many wonderful shades and cultures are represented and respected.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one. The poetry and quotes are a nice compliment.
brucefarrar's review
3.0
Walter Dean Myers poetic reflections on American ideals and American history is illustrated by his son Christopher Myers and interspersed with quotations on the same theme. Christopher’s colorful illustrations sweep across a two-page spread like a mural. The free verse poems are counter balanced by the quotations. For example on the penultimate spread on pages 32 and 33, Walter’s verse at the bottom of 32 is “And from the tensions / From the struggle between conscience / And human frailty / Between the great hope of tomorrow / And the forever hunger of today / We have found our nation,” facing this on page 33 is a 1976 quotation from Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, “We have a positive vision of the future founded on the belief that the gap between the promise and reality of America can one day be finally closed.” These sets of texts run beneath Christopher’s spread of the face and torch of the statue of liberty, New York firefighters raising the flag over the ruins of the World Trade Center towers in 2001, the Selma to Montgomery March for Voting Rights in 1965, and Milvirtha Hendricks wrapped in an American flag blanket outside the New Orleans Convention Center after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
falconerreader's review
5.0
I love the art, the free verse poetry, and the quotes from historical documents. They interact beautifully in this always-timely book.
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