“To say my name is to hold a prayer, a second chance/Is to count me out, watch me rise.”
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A collection of poetry mixing haiku with tanka, traditional poetry with free verse. Watson shares her life growing up in Portland, while also sharing her roots with Harlem. It’s an ode to the Black women in her life and for every Black girl to step into their power.
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This semi-autobiographical collection of poetry was not written for me. But I appreciated it nonetheless. I want to put this into the hands of every middle and high school child, especially our BIPOC students who need, so badly, to embrace their futures, revel in the pain, but also strive for hope. I couldn’t stop highlighting lines—so many great quotes in this one. The collage artwork adds so much depth to Watson’s storytelling. Fans of Nikki Grimes and Jacqueline Woodson will relate to this YA book as well. I loved it very much. It releases 2/13.

CW: racism, death, misogyny, police brutality