Stand Up!

Starred review from June 10, 2022

K-Gr 3-This empowering picture book explains that "Standing up is a powerful thing." Readers are reminded that when they first learned to stand, their view of the world changed. Standing up for what one believes can also be a shift in perspective and can take many forms. Some, like Claudette Colvin, stood up for their beliefs by sitting down. Phillis Wheatley stood up by picking up her pen. All ten of the Black women and girls in this book chose to speak out, act on their convictions, and resist the pressure to sit down and be quiet in the face of what they saw to be unjust. Mixed-media illustrations capture the spirit of each iconic heroine and include historically accurate clothing and hairstyles. The background colors used when the young girl being addressed is shown are particularly energetic oranges and pinks. One vivid image shows that young girl with all ten figures gathered behind her to emphasize the statement, "When you stand up for what you believe, you don't stand alone." Cooper explains in an author's note that Rosa Parks was her inspiration as a child and that she wants to help young Black girls learn to shine. This book could be a gift book to young girls, or used as a read-aloud to kick off a study of strong Black women throughout history. VERDICT Vibrantly illustrated and featuring a variety of justice-seekers, this book belongs in every library and classroom.-Suzanne Costner

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2022
The joys and challenges of standing up for oneself and others are celebrated. Writer and activist Cooper highlights the concept of "standing up" by introducing examples of African American women who made a difference by refusing to back down from the positions they took. Some of the stories are well known; others may be less familiar to readers but are just as worthy of notice. She begins with Mum Bett, who was born into slavery before the American Revolution. Once the United States became independent, she took the words of liberty in the country's new constitution to heart and sued for her freedom. Other entries cover journalist Ida B. Wells, who risked her life to bring attention to the violence that African Americans faced after the Civil War; Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin, who fought against segregation; Prathia Hall, a preacher and powerful advocate for Black voting rights whose words resonated with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; and Mari Copeny, a girl from Flint, Michigan, who wrote a letter asking President Barack Obama to do something about the unsafe water in her city. Cooper's text is a clarion call that educates children about the work of Black women over the years and invites young people to become active in the causes they believe in. The engaging text is enhanced by Johnson's bright, fluid illustrations. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A work of advocacy and encouragement for the youngest readers. (Picture book. 4-8)

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