Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice

This collection of poems by women of color covers topics relating to social justice, activism, discrimination and empathy, focusing on the need to speak out and inspiring middle-graders. -Vogue

Woke: A Young Poet's Guide to Justice is a collection of poems to inspire kids to stay woke and become a new generation of activists.

Historically poets have been on the forefront of social movements. Woke is a collection of poems by women that reflects the joy and passion in the fight for social justice, tackling topics from discrimination to empathy, and acceptance to speaking out.

With Theodore Taylor's bright, emotional art, and writing from Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood, kids will be inspired to create their own art and poems to express how they see justice and injustice.

With a foreword by best-selling author Jason Reynolds.

Author: Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo, Olivia Gatwood
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Published: 03/10/2020
Pages: 56
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.25lbs
Size: 11.20h x 9.30w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781250311207
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.7
Point Value: 1
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 508772 / Woke: A Young Poet's Guide to Justice


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 12/02/2019
Kirkus Reviews 03/01/2020 pg. 154
Booklist 02/15/2020 pg. 70
School Library Journal 04/01/2020 pg. 146

About the Author

Mahogany L. Browne is a California-born, Brooklyn-based writer, organizer, mentor, and curator. She has published several books of poetry and facilitates performance poetry and writing workshops throughout the country. She is an Agnes Gund, Cave Canem, AIR Serenbe, Poets House, Rauschenberg fellow, and the current artistic director of Urban Word NYC. Her previous books for young readers include Woke Baby and Black Girl Magic.

Theodore Taylor III is an artist and designer. He is the winner of the John Steptoe New Talent Award for his work in When the Beat Was Born, and is the illustrator of Woke Baby. He lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife and their very own woke baby.

Elizabeth Acevedo is the New York Times bestselling author of the National Book Award-winning novel, The Poet X. She holds a BA in Performing Arts from The George Washington University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maryland. She resides in Washington, DC with her partner.

Olivia Gatwood has received national recognition for her poetry, writing workshops, and work as a Title IX Compliant educator in sexual assault prevention and recovery. She is a finalist at Brave New Voices, Women of the World and the National Poetry Slam. Olivia has been featured on HBO, Huffington Post, MTV, VH1, and BBC, and she has performed internationally at over two-hundred schools and universities. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, she now lives in Boston, Massachusetts. Olivia's poetry books include Woke, Life of the Party, and New American Best Friend.

Jason Reynolds is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author. Jason's many books include Miles Morales: Spider Man, the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu), and Long Way Down, which received both a Newbery Honor and a Printz Honor. His novel, Look Both Ways, was a National Book Award Finalist. Jason has appeared on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and CBS This Morning. He is on faculty at Lesley University, for the Writing for Young People MFA Program and lives in Washington, DC. You can find his ramblings at his website.