About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager begins asking difficult questions about the history of racial violence in America or when they need a tool to process the weight of systemic injustice. This collection of poems honors the memory of Emmett Till through a crown of sonnets, a sophisticated literary form that mirrors the complexity and gravity of his life and death. It explores deep themes of grief, collective memory, and the moral necessity of bearing witness to history. While the subject matter is undeniably heavy, Marilyn Nelson uses the beauty of language and nature imagery to provide a container for the pain. This is an essential choice for families looking to engage in honest, mature conversations about civil rights and the ongoing struggle for equity. It serves as both a history lesson and a meditative exercise in empathy for readers aged 12 and up.
