This was a beautifully crafted poetry collection full of family history and moving narratives about familial bonds. Renee Watson is a masterful storyteller whether it be through poetry or prose.

I would recommend this book to fans of soulful poetry and Watson’s novels.

It's been a long time since a book was able to take me back to my childhood so clearly. I've loved sharing this story with our young readers. As per usual, Renee Watson is a dream!

I did not get this read before publication because it was only formatted for the NetGalley reader, not Kindle. Now that it is published, I need to re-read this sometime to fully absorb it. I listened to the book and, while Watson is a beautiful writer, I don't feel like she is the best narrator of her words. But the poems themselves contain gems and beautiful phrases that need to be absorbed. While poetry is never going to be the most popular genre in my library, I have actually had several girls ask for collections in the past year. I have specifically had requests from Black girls, so this book will be a welcome addition to my collection.

✨ 𝐑 𝐄 𝐕 𝐈 𝐄 𝗪 ✨⁣
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𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘈𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘴 by Renée Watson, illustrated by Ekua Holmes⁣
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆⁣
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𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘈𝘵𝘭𝘢𝘴 is short, sweet, and absolutely beautiful. It’s amazing how much depth and meaning can be packed into seemingly few words. I loved the depiction of Black girlhood and claiming your power.⁣
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Watson is absolutely masterful in her lines and brings forth so many emotions in the reader.⁣
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If you have the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, I highly recommend that you do, as Watson narrates and has the most beautiful voice that is filled with so much emotion, as the words intend. ⁣
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Thank you so much to @penguinteen and @librofm for my copies! 📖🎧

"Black Girl You Are Atlas" by Renée Watson is a stunning collection of poetry that deeply touches the soul. This is a testament to resilience, beauty, and the power of self-discovery. It's a must-read for everyone, offering profound insights and celebrating the strength and grace of Black women in a way that resonates long after the last page.

This was extremely beautiful. It is a very fast read, please everyone take the 45 minutes to read this. Thank you Netgalley for e-arc

As a young black woman, this short poetry book really touched me. Watson infused so many aspects of girlhood and specifically black girlhood that I deeply resonated with because I've lived it. Read this whole book in one sitting. Amazing!

Fantastic novel in verse about being an African American female in the current political climate as well as dedications to noteable women.

This is an exceptional collection of poetry that shines a beautiful light on black women and girls. To experience new voices in poets of color and be able to compare them alongside the most notable poets of color from decades past we notice how certain themes remain relevant and true regardless of the passage of time. Watson is a gifted artist and these poems are a testament to her valuable voice and the voices of black women everywhere. Highly recommended reading for absolutely everyone and an immediate purchase for my high school library.

This is a book of poetry that I will read again and again. Absolutely beautiful, powerful, and uplifting. I love how the author explored themes of race and gender, sharing an intimate look into their life with readers. This is a really special book of poetry.

Renée Watson’s latest book (pub date: Feb. 13) is a phenomenal and powerful collection of poetry. It’s an ode to Black girlhood. If you are a fan of Black Girl, Call Home by Jasmine Mans, then you will definitely love this semi-autobiographical collection of poetry that talks about the experience of growing up as a Black girl. It’s great for teen and adult readers to read, enjoy and reflect.

The trajectory of the poems follow from childhood to being a teenager. They discuss a variety of experiences connected to age, race and gender. Some of my fave poems are: Alters, Atlas, Church of Press & Curl, Scalp, Sisterhood Haiku, III, Black Like Me, and Phenomenon.

And don’t let me get started on the art! It is amazing! I had a chance to get an early peek at the finished copy thanks to @penguinteen and I was blown away by the gorgeous, thought-provoking and emotionally touching fine art that integrates the pages. If you aren’t familiar with Ekua Holmes, check her out!

If you are an English educator, definitely add this to your list because there are millions of opportunities for students to read, reflect, explore & write embedded in this beautiful book! There are write-alike that honor other poets, different poetry forms, art and photograph references that inspire the poems. It’s a creative writing teacher’s dream.

Beautiful. I love this so much. I was also given access to the audio version and it was so well done! Loved hearing it read to me! So many heartfelt poems of growth and coming into your own. I can’t wait to share this book with friends. I loved it.

Just in case the melanted sisters forgot how fabulous you are, here is a timely reminder! Poems that speak to the black girls soul. Most definitely a gathering of poems that you can turn to in days, weeks, and years to come when you need a reminder of your faboulousness!

This is a glorious and moving portrayal of Black girlhood, the love between sisters, and the importance of exerting your voice. Told through both free verse and haiku, Watson conveys a powerful message about her experiences growing up and learning to find the power of self.

As someone who doesn’t tend to gravitate towards poetry, I found myself completely smitten with the intensity of each and every word choice, and can only imagine how much more powerful the beautiful illustrations by Ekua Holmes would be beside them. And listening to Watson read her poetry just as she intended it to be read was *chef’s kiss*.

I have to include a couple of verses from my favorite of the poems, When I Say I Love Us. A brilliant poem that encapsulates what makes this book so impactful.

I mean I love, love our bounce back
our clap back,
our backbone,
our backstory,
our comeback,

We go way back.
Our history dripping
And damp from ocean waves.

I mean I love our resistance,
Love our resilience.

I mean I love us.
I mean I love loving us.
I mean I love the love that is us.

Thank you Penguin Teen and PRH Audio for my gifted copies.

I waited until I received the physical arc, and omg the poetry is beautiful and I loved the fine art just as much. Thank you penguin teen!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

<i>"To say my name is to pronounce resilience."</i>

This is the most beautiful collection of poetry I read in 2023! Absolutely stunning prose and there was so much variety. You can tell that so much love and intention went into every single poem and piece of art. The dual meaning of Atlas being both an all-knowing guide and that which lifts the world up is brilliant.

My starred review in School Library Journal:

Gr 7 Up–Drawing from her past memories, Watson encourages Black girls to celebrate themselves with love in this semi-autobiographical collection of poetry. In “Resurrection” she explains, “Renée, the name that means rebirth, to bring new life.” Renée is a sense of resilience after the sorrows of her ancestors and the traumas of Rodney King, Anita Hill, Breonna Taylor, and teachers blind to the brilliance of a young Black girl. Joyful childhood recollections include double Dutch, Werther’s Original and peppermint candies on Sundays, reggae, dreadlocks, and white sand. Bob Marley, The Jackson 5, and New Edition write a fresh diagram for feet to follow with their songs. The combination of poetry and collage art is exceptionally powerful and dynamic. The imagery provided by the reflective verse is encapsulated exquisitely in tandem with the illustrations. Although pain is present at the intersection of race, gender, and class, it is balanced by the many ways love shows up. Soulful haiku, free verse, and tanka poetry paired with dazzling designs propel the sense of sisterhood that jumps off the page with pride and jubilance.VERDICT Brimming with vibrant, layered poetry and stunningly textured collage art, this ballad for Black girls is a must for all collections.Reviewed by Lisa Krok , Jan 01, 2024

Physical Arc provided by Penguin Teen so thank you so much to them..

4.5/5 stars (really good)

So hear me out.. I dont usually like poetry but the topics this poetry collection covers just hits different.. Here are some good lines:

"To write my name is to spell the sorrows of my ancestors, how they were sold and traded, hanged and drowned. How their tears and sweat and blood seeded generations, to say my name is to pronounce resilience" (pg. 5)

"Black girl you are Atlas. The way your very presence in a room is a reminder of where you come from, a demand of what you are owed. Black girl you are Atlas. The way no one expected youth be the fulfillment of prophecy. But it is you, always, who holds the world up." (pg. 17)

"I mean I love our resistance, love our resilience. I mean I love us loving us. I mean I love loving us. I mean I love the love that is us." (pg. 35)

Last one!!!

"I have no Black Girl Magic to give today. Today, I am regular. Not insufficient, not more than enough. Just me. Just right. All I have is the resilience I inherited. And all I have is this drum in my chest beating, thumping, reminding me that I have survived all my yesterdays. The magic is all ways me. The miracle is that I even exist at all." (pg. 80)

There were a lot of great lines and it def resinates with me. I will be picking up a finished copy and checking out other works by Renée.

A beautiful collection of poetry was heartfelt and held so much depth. I found the authors writing to be magnetic and easy to follow. I highlighted so many great quotes!!