Harris, Quartez. Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer. Gordon C. James, Illus. Hachette/Little, Brown, 01/2025. [40]pp. Biography. Trade $18.99. 978-0-3164-8393-3. GRADES Kindergarten–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
This biography of James Baldwin features outstanding artwork by Gordon C. James, who also illustrated Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (Derrick Barnes, Bolden, 2017). The writing is lyrical and the facts seem solid, but the book suffers from being unsure how sophisticated the intended audience is. The book focuses on Baldwin’s conflict as a reader and writer of secular literature and his stepfather’s push to read only the Bible and other religious works. The complexities of Baldwin’s struggle get lost inside some of the lyrical prose of the book. Younger readers may have trouble interpreting facts that are alluded to rather than spelled out, such as Baldwin’s sexuality, which is made clear in the notes but within the text we only see “his boundless love toward his new friends would be met with shame”—a sentence that will go over the heads of grade school children. Most characters are Black. Back matter includes sources, additional information on Baldwin, and notes from the author and illustrator. Recipient of a Sibert Informational Book Honor. Review based on an ARC.
Rachael Reiley—Independent