Black Girl You Are Atlas

Renée Watson is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, educator, and community activist. Her books have sold over one million copies. Her novel Piecing Me Together received a Coretta Scott King Award and a Newbery Honor. Her picture books and novels for teens have received several awards and international recognition. She has given readings and lectures at many places including the United Nations, the Library of Congress, and the US Embassy in Japan and New Zealand. Her poetry and fiction centers the experiences of Black girls and women, and explores themes of home, identity, and the intersections of race, class, and gender.Ekua Holmes is a collage-based artist who investigates family histories, relationship dynamics, childhood impressions, and the power of hope, faith, and self-determination in her work. She has created and led workshops, been a visiting artist and lecturer, and held artist residencies throughout New England. For her work in illustrating children’s literature, Holmes is the recipient of a Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King’s John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award, Robert Siebert and Horn Book awards. She is also currently Commissioner and Vice-Chair of the Boston Art Commission and Associate Director at the Center for Art and Community Partnerships at MassArt.

Praise for Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson; Illustrated by Ekua Holmes:A USA Today BestsellerA 2025 Coretta Scott King HonorWinner of the Walter Dean Myers AwardWinner of the Bank Street Claudia Lewis AwardA Bank Street Best Book of 2025 A 2025 Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 Book (Top Ten Title)A 2025 ALSC Notable Children’s BookA 2025 NCTE Notable Verse NovelA 2025 Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) Children & Youth Literary Award -- Honor BookA 2025 NCSS Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray Book Award Honor (Secondary)A Kirkus Best YA Book of the YearA School Library Journal Best YA Book of the YearA Horn Book Best Book of the YearA BookPage Best YA Book of the YearA 2024 NPR Books We Love selectionA Cosmopolitan Best YA Book of 2024A NEA Read Across America 2024-2025 selectionA New York Public Library Best Book of 2024A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2024An Evanston Public Library 101 Best Books for Kids selectionA Read With Jenna Jr Summer Reading List selectionCenter for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books of 2024Common Sense Media’s Best Books of 2024A 2025 Odyssey Honor audiobook 2025 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book (Pennsylvania Center for the Book)2024 MSTA Reading Circle Best New Books for Missouri Students Reading List (Missouri)2025 Dogwood Reading List (Missouri)2025 Indiana Read Aloud List (Indiana)2026 Oklahoma Sequoyah Nominee (Oklahoma)Children's Book Council (CBC) 2025 Favorites Awards List (Librarian favorite, 9th -12th grade; Children’s favorite, 9th -12th grade)★ “[A] moving, introspective poetry collection celebrating the possibilities of Black girlhood complemented by atmospheric mixed-media illustrations…A compelling ode to self-resurrection and Black sisterhood.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review★ “Brimming with vibrant, layered poetry and stunningly textured collage art, this ballad for Black girls is a must for all collections...The combination of poetry and collage art is exceptionally powerful and dynamic." —School Library Journal, starred review★ “This poetry collection masterfully encapsulates Watson’s experience of Black girlhood and womanhood…The collaboration with Holmes, whose magnificent collages accompany Watson’s words, adds a visual dimension that also spans cultures and experiences. The result is a celebration of the complexities of, and the bonds formed through, Black girlhood and womanhood.” —The Horn Book, starred review★ “Watson offers high-impact, widely accessible poems… a phenomenal poetry collection celebrating sisterhood, womanhood, Black culture and the power of family and friendship… Caldecott Honor recipient Holmes’ torn paper collage and mixed-media art is the perfect accompaniment… Shimmering with radiance.” —BookPage, starred review"[A] semi-autobiographical collection that speaks to…the expansive experience of Black girlhood as it cycles toward womanhood via sharp and loving poetry. Accompanied by striking and vintage-feeling multimedia collage artwork… a tender ode to universal yearnings for safety, love, and justice, as well as a celebration of Black girlhood.” —Publishers Weekly"Watson’s latest collection of poetry is a powerful mixture of free verse and short-form poetry…The poems are accompanied by Holmes’ breathtaking collage art." —Booklist