Pinkney, Jerry. Just Jerry: How Drawing Shaped My Life. Jerry Pinkney, Illus. Little, Brown, 01/2023. 146pp. Biography. GRADES 4 – 8. $17.99. 978-0-316-38385-1. OUTSTANDING.
This warm memoir by Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney describes his youth growing up in Philadelphia, where he always seemed to be drawing. He had a large, loving family, supportive teachers and mentors, and lots of friends to play with, even though he struggled with a learning disability that made him uncomfortable at school. His story also describes how commonplace segregation was in the 1940s to the 1960s, with everyday discrimination against African Americans. Every spread has loose drawings done in brown pencil to illustrate what is happening in the text; initially Pinkney planned to revise and refine those drawings but he died before he could do that. Many readers will be inspired by and relate to Pinkney’s story, especially those with dyslexia, or those who draw as their lifeline to the world. The book ends with a photo-filled chapter on his adult life, his award-winning books, and a timeline.
Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool