Charles, Tami. Remember Her Name!: Debbie Allen’s Rise to Fame. Meredith Lucius, Illus. Charlesbridge, 02/2026. [32]pp. Biography. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-565-9. GRADES Kindergarten–4. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
In this picture book biography of award-winning actress, director, and choreographer Debbie Allen, readers will learn about her struggle to take dance class in segregated Houston, Texas. In fact, her family moved to Mexico for three years so she could take ballet lessons. The text is smoothly written in free verse poetry, clearly describing the racism she endured without sensationalizing her experience. The digital artwork does a good job of depicting people, the locations, and the movement of dance. The author’s note, timeline, and other back matter fill out the story for those interested in more details about this ground-breaking woman, although her equally successful sister Phylicia Rashad is not mentioned by name.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool