Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem

by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle, Alex Bostic (Illustrator)

Overview

This lyrical celebration of Juneteenth, deeply rooted in Black American history, spans centuries and reverberates loudly and proudly today.

After 300 years of forced bondage;
hands bound, descendants of Africa
picked up their souls—all that they owned—
leaving shackles where they fell on the ground,
headed for the nearest resting place to be found.

Deeply emotional, evocative free verse by poet and activist Sojourner Kincaid Rolle traces the solemnity and celebration of Juneteenth from its 1865 origins in Galveston, Texas to contemporary observances all over the United States. This is an ode to the strength of Black Americans and a call to remember and honor a holiday whose importance reverberates far beyond the borders of Texas.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781454943747
Publisher:	Union Square Kids
Publication date:	05/24/2022
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	281,262
Product dimensions:	10.20(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD920L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Sojourner Kincaid Rolle is a poet, playwright, and an environmental educator. She was the Poet Laureate of Santa Barbara, CA (2015-2017). Her book of poems for young people, The Mellow Yellow Global Umbrella, was published as an e-book and audio book by Lucky Penny Press. She lives in California.

Alex Bostic began his career as a studio artist, working in Los Angeles and New York City. He lives in Mississippi and is an associate professor of art at Mississippi State University.
 

Editorial Reviews

06/13/2022

Kincaid Rolle and Bostic’s foray into Juneteenth’s history opens without preamble, centering the enslaved Black residents of Galveston, Tex., as news of freedom arrives via the Emancipation Proclamation: “ALL WHO LIVE IN BONDAGE/ HERE SHALL FROM/ NOW UNTIL/ BE FREE.” Realistic oil illustrations depict portraits and landscapes in the time and place, while sometimes-rhyming text traces individual reactions: “after 300 years of forced bondage,/ hands bound,” some people rest, while others sing and dance, give thanks, and decide whether to stay or go elsewhere. Soon, images transition to show a contemporary America, where children “of the ones who were held.../ celebrate the day their forebears could shout/ ‘FREE AT LAST!’ ” A largely earth-toned color palette distinguishes Bostic’s art, which tenderly portrays brown-skinned characters’ detailed facial expressions across environments and generations. Together, the creators emphasize the value of freedom embodied by the “symbolic holiday.” A contextualizing author’s note concludes. Ages 4–8. (May)

Publishers Weekly

The soulful illustrations in a muted palette align seamlessly, portraying events in a dignified, momentous style....These lyrical verses are perfect for reading out loud.” — Booklist, starred review
“A noteworthy tribute to Juneteenth... A profound memorial to the suffering, strength, and stories of Black Americans.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Each stanza is paired with gorgeous and warm artwork that complements the text... a worthy purchase.” — School Library Journal 
“This is a book that needs to be on the shelf of every library." — School Library Connection
“A largely earth-toned color palette distinguishes Bostic’s art, which tenderly portrays brown-skinned characters’ detailed facial expressions across environments and generations. Together, the creators emphasize the value of freedom embodied by the ‘symbolic holiday.’” — Publishers Weekly
“Sojourner Kincaid Rolle powerfully articulates the history of Juneteenth” — PBS
“Moving Illustrations by Bostic.” —The Boston Globe
“An honorable tribute to the legacy of the Juneteenth holiday.... In this book, illustrations are as powerful as words.” — Parents
“[T]his lyrical book is a perfect read-aloud.” — SheKnows
“Bostic’s warm oil painting illustrations are stunning. The entire book is a work of art.” — Book Riot
“Sure to become a new family favorite.” — The Root
 “A lyrical ode to the strength of African Americans, Sojourner Kincaid Rolle’s poem-turned-book captures the essence of enslaved people who persevered and whose legacies continue today.” —Woman's Day

From the Publisher

01/01/2022

Gr 1–4—Juneteenth, an important celebration of the end of slavery, was first celebrated in Texas in 1865. This was several years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, when enslaved individuals learned of their freedom. Rolle's poem offers glimpses of the joy of freedom, the hardships of the years after, and how Juneteenth has evolved over time. Many lines directly quote the Emancipation Proclamation, such as "All who live in bondage here shall from now until be free." Spreads give more context to the meaning behind the freedom Juneteenth celebrates through depictions of formerly enslaved individuals moving forward and finally celebrating in modern times with friends and family. Some sections of the poem rhyme, and some read more like free verse. The poem has an overall lyrical feel that evokes a range of emotions, from sadness for the realities of the many hardships still faced right after emancipation, to the hope and resilience of newfound freedom. Each stanza is paired with gorgeous and warm artwork that complements the text. In the author's note, Rolle includes more of the history behind Juneteenth, which only became recognized as a national holiday in 2021. This book presents historical moments in an accessible way, through artwork and poetry. VERDICT A worthy purchase for elementary libraries needing nonfiction texts for the Juneteenth holiday.—Molly Dettman

School Library Journal

2022-02-09
A noteworthy tribute to Juneteenth.

Bostic’s exquisite oil paintings, rich with warm hues, pair beautifully with Rolle's free-verse poem to pay tribute to a celebration long relegated to the shadows of American history. This picture book stands as a marvelous tribute to the enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, who listened to the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865. It honors the Black families who stayed in Texas and those who tried to find solace as far away as they could. The book also highlights the lasting legacy of Juneteenth, noting that “in towns from sea to sea,” the ancestors of enslaved Black people continue to celebrate the anniversary of freedom from slavery and pass down the history and traditions of the holiday. Rolle lauds everyone who pays homage to the monumental day. In her closing author’s note, she describes how her Juneteenth poem came to fruition and the Texan roots of the globally impactful holiday. Fans ofUnspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre (2021) by Carole Boston Weatherford and Floyd Cooper and The Undefeated (2019) by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson will enjoy this book. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A profound memorial to the suffering, strength, and stories of Black Americans. (Picture book. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews