I Am the Spirit of Justice

From New York Times bestselling author Jemar Tisby, I Am the Spirit of Justice uses lyrical text and moving illustrations to take children on a journey through the history of the United States of America, highlighting the ways people have been fighting for justice from the very beginning.

The fight for civil rights in America didn't begin in the 1960s--Black Americans have been working for justice, freedom, and equality since the first slave ships came to its shores. In I Am the Spirit of Justice, Jemar Tisby demonstrates that that arc of history bends toward equality. Throughout, the spirit of justice is personified as it moves through time, loving the oppressed and supporting the freedom fighters. The poetic text not only informs readers of the countless and often nameless people who have taken up the fight, it also inspires them to continue working for equality for all.

I Am the Spirit of Justice is the picture book companion to Jemar Tisby's The Spirit of Justice and is cowritten by author and poet Malcolm Newsome with art by illustrator and activist Nadia Fisher. This beautiful and sweeping book is a great introduction to the history of civil rights for the youngest readers and an important addition to the libraries of anyone working for justice.

I Am the Spirit of Justice is ideal for:

• Introducing children to important figures in the history of the civil rights movement
• Inspiring young readers to see the importance of justice in our world
• Teachers and librarians looking for resources for civil rights education, with an included bibliography and suggestions for further reading

Nadia Fisher is a self-taught artist and children's book illustrator based in Washington, DC, who works digitally using Procreate and traditionally using watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil. Raised in Italy, just outside of Venice, Nadia draws inspiration from her childhood memories, her daughter, and her advocacy for social justice and inclusion. Wanting to reflect the diversity in the world, Nadia wants children from all backgrounds to be able to see themselves in the books they read, and she strives to instill within them a sense of confidence and joy.

Jemar Tisby (BA, University of Notre Dame; MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) s the New York Times bestselling author of The Color of Compromise and the award-winning How to Fight Racism. He is a historian who studies race, religion, and social movements, and serves as a professor at Simmons College of Kentucky, a historically Black college. He is also the founder of The Witness, Inc. an organization dedicated to Black uplift from a Christian perspective. He has written for national news outlets such as The Atlantic, the Washington Post, and the Religion News Service. He has offered television commentary on CNN and is frequently called upon to provide expert insight on current events related to race and Christianity. He has spoken nationwide at colleges, universities, and other organizations.

Malcolm Newsome is the author of Dear Star Baby and Sydney's Big Speech as well as a cyber security expert. His deep passion for telling stories of hope and possibilities shines through in the books he's written. When not writing or spending time with family, you'll probably find him either reading, spending time outside in his mini orchard, or baking bread. He lives in the Chicago area.