Let It Shine

By Andrea Davis Pinkney, Stephen Alcorn (Illustrator)

Ten women defy oppression, igniting change and inspiring generations.

3.5/7 Bookroo expert·4.2/5 Goodreads · 210 ratings

107 pages· 23,637 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

Discover the powerful stories of ten women who defied oppression and shaped history. From Rosa Parks' pivotal bus protest to Harriet Tubman's daring escapes on the Underground Railroad, these women faced immense challenges. Shirley Chisholm broke barriers in politics, becoming the first black woman in the U.S. House of Representatives. Each story is a testament to courage and the relentless fight for civil rights. How did these women light the path to freedom, and what can we learn from their unwavering resolve? Explore their legacies and the impact of their bold actions.

From the publisher

2001 Coretta Scott King Honor Book

Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus and sparked a boycott that changed America. Harriet Tubman helped more than three hundred slaves escape the South on the Underground Railroad. Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

The lives these women led are part of an incredible story about courage in the face of oppression; about the challenges and triumphs of the battle for civil rights; and about speaking out for what you believe in–even when it feels like no one is listening. Andrea Davis Pinkney’s moving text and Stephen Alcorn’s glorious portraits celebrate the lives of ten bold women who lit the path to freedom for generations. Includes biographies of Sojournor Truth, Biddy Mason, Harriet Tubman, Ida B.Wells-Barnett, Mary McLeod Bethune, Ella Josephine Baker, Dorothy Irene Height, Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Shirley Chisholm.

Awards

Coretta Scott King Honor (2001)

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 107
Words: 23,637
Reading age: 10–12
Audience: Juvenile Reader
Lexile: 1000L

Themes & topics

Books about antiracism Books about prejudice and racism Books about politics Books about history Books about civil rights

What readers & critics say

Reviews

3.5

out of 7

3.5

“I like that this book talks about race in a way that's approachable for kids—in that everyone has a story, and one thing that makes up part of our story is our race. I think it does a pretty good job explaining race and racism (though it never explicitly says racism, it just explains how some people believe their race is better than another). However, the one thing I didn't like about this book is the aspect of "taking off our skin"—the point they are making is great (that underneath we are all the same), but it talks about it pretty literally with illustrations of skeletons. I had a hard time trying not to visualize a gross, muscley image when it talked about taking off "all our skin . . . clothes . . . and hair" to all look the same. I'd personally prefer to find a different book that has a similar message without this aspect.”

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