Author Jemar Tisby has produced a picture book for all ages, a companion to an inspirational adult book by Tisby and poet Malcolm Newsome, The Spirit of Justice: True Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance.

In a mere 32 pages, Tisby traces the quest for equality and justice from before the Middle Passage through abolition to the fight against Jim Crow to Black Lives Matter. Nadia Fisher’s lovely, moving illustrations further elevate Tisby’s poetic words. I particularly loved the line “I am here / Even in the midst / of horrifying brutality.” Here’s to hoping this picture book will be updated to include the election of the first Black female president!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and ZonderKidz Books in exchange for an honest review.

Beautifully illustrations that convey an important message. I can see myself reading this to my little cousin or keeping it in my library for future children.

I enjoyed the way this pircture book frames events in history in a powerful and affirming way, helping readers feel proud of their heritage. The author's note included at the back of the book is a helpful source for readers to delve deeper into each of the events featured in the book. A good read for sure!

An incredible journey through 400years of US history. The book follows I justice and those who fight against it.
A powerful text with beautiful illustrations to enhance the message.
I particularly found the end page useful: it details each page and explains key figures and symbolism used.

An important text to share wherever you are in the world.

Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I loved this book. The concept of having a spirit of justice supporting black people through their struggles throughout history. The book goes right from the beginnings of history to the more recent Black Lives Matter protests in a sensitive but important way.

Favourite Quote:
"I am here. Even in the midst of horrifying brutality. Reminding the world that my loved ones still matter."

It is quite rare that I find the text of a picture book potent and insightful, and not on-the-nose or preachy, but I Am the Spirit of Justice is an inspirational book as a whole. It is suitable for children, has a cool art style, and the messages are smoothly incorporated into the pages. I liked how the text flowed from one page to the other - the lines were thematically connected.

The illustrations of this book are gorgeous and the text is powerful. This will definitely be a popular book for young Bipoc audiences.
Thank you NetGally and Zonderkidz for the arc!
My Final Rating 4/5

Loved the art and the message! Definitely a good pick for any child's library. I'm very interested in reading more from the author :)

This is a wonderful book about Black history and the spirit to fight for what's right. I loved the background at the end that gives kids a little more information. The illustrations were beautiful. I loved how the story went from history to feelings/emotions to more history and kept growing in that cycle throughout the story.

A question that comes to mind after reading this book is: How has a book like this not existed before? This book was wildly inspiring for me, gave me a brief history lesson, and made me happy that we are finally getting a book that will really help support kids of color.
I think that a lot of people will push back against this book and say that it's "too graphic" or "too serious" for kids. I disagree. This book is a happy medium for kids, and is very age-appropriate. I believe that it's actually highly beneficial for kids to find affinity in this specific book. Lastly, Tisby found education and hope in unfortunate events, which is so, so important for young readers to recognize. However, Tisby doesn't make something completely good out of something bad. Tisby finds the kernel of truth, or strength, or hope within a devastating event.
A true masterpiece for young readers.

What an incredible read for Juneteenth! Jemar Tisby takes 400 years of United States history and weaves it into a powerful reminder of justice and perseverance even the youngest of readers can appreciate and understand. Malcom Newsome's illustrations are beautifully drawn, adding depth that brings the book to life for young readers. It's an incredible way for parents and educators to introduce racial and social justice to young readers and I would highly recommend it. A must-read!

I hope many children will get blessed from this book, I am the Spirit of Justice, in the era of many injustices over the world. We can bring a strong sense of justice to the little ones and help them to be a true person and defend person from injustice behavior.

This is a stunning picture book that introduces younger readers to the history of racial injustice toward Black people in the United States and the fight for justice.

I Am the Spirit of Justice, written by Jemar Tisby, is a beautifully written and illustrated, and poignant book, written for young readers. This books depicts The Spirit of Justice, and how it has inhabited people, specifically POC, over time. The Spirit of Justice works to be present in individuals who are marginalized, who are suffering; and who are not being treated equally. This book covers heavy subjects, but in a way that is relatable and not too upsetting for young children. I definitely recommend this book! Thank you to NetGalley, and to the author and publisher of this book, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a beautiful book I read with my younger cousin. Allowing her to learn more about Black History in a way for kids, was simply great. Loved it!

I Am The Spirit Of Justice is such an important book and is a wonderful way for children to learn about African-American history along with addressing the problems our nation still faces today in regards to racial injustice in our country. The author addresses it in a way that encourages the young reader to have faith in the future and to keep that spirit of justice in their own hearts. I look forward to seeing this one on the library shelves for kids to discover.

{Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my gifted e-copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.}

I really love seeing books like this being written that tell the history of slavery and oppression of African-Americans in a meaningful and lyrical way, especially demonstrating that even today there is a great deal of tragic racial injustice. This book is full of beautiful illustrations and is incredibly poetic.

Unfortunately though, I expected something different from this publisher and thought that the “spirit of justice” would point to something (or rather Someone) else. I felt that the “spirit of justice” was being portrayed as a living force, like the Holy Spirit but not. Coming from a Christian publisher, I found this to be disappointing and a bit concerning. If this book was from a secular publisher, this wouldn’t bother me as much–I would just choose a different book for my kids.

This book is very well-written, it just wasn’t the best fit for my family.

A Brilliant picture book which so the injustice and prejudice can be. would really recommend or primary school children.

I Am the Spirit of Justice follows black history in the US from being forced into slavery to the brutality that occurs today. The illustrations are beautiful, and the book is a great introduction to the civil rights movements and the fight for justice.

This is a short but powerful introduction for children and young readers to the history of the civil rights movement, going all the way back to the the era of slavery and how it began. It's a poetic but striking way to teach children about the power of people and the fight for justice, I think this book would be amazing to have in my classroom. As it's a good, easy way to start the conversation that might very well follow them for the rest of their lives.