About the Book

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy by Tony Medina offers a fresh perspective of young men of color by depicting thirteen views of everyday life: young boys dressed in their Sunday best, running to catch a bus, and growing up to be teachers, and much more. Each of Tony Medina’s tanka is matched with a different artist—including recent Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Award recipients.

Reviews

• International Literacy Association, Literacy Daily, Celebrating Poetry, Nov. 5, 2018.

• ✭School Library Journal, starred review. Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy by Tony Medina. April 23, 2018. Excerpt: "This shining title deserves a spot in all poetry collections."

• Fatherly. Author Tony Medina Finds Words for the Dreams and Anxieties of Black Youth (Interview). Feb. 22, 2018. Excerpt: "It’s a book that celebrates the humanity and power of black children. It’s a beautiful, poignant work."

• Publishers Weekly. Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy. Feb. 5, 2018. Excerpt: "The tone of Medina’s poems, however, largely remains encouraging as he emphasizes the multi- faceted nature of the black youth he honors."

• ✭Kirkus Reviews, starred review. Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy. Feb. 4, 2018. Excerpt: "The fascinating illustrations matched with the dazzling imagery of Medina’s tanka make this a captivating release."

• Booklist, Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy. Feb. 1, 2018. Excerpt: "The very different artistic renderings, which range from solid to psychedelic, all catch the eye. Though short (only 31 syllables over 5 lines), the poems pack a punch and are a great introduction to reading poetry and the art of writing it. Teachers and other adults will find many ways to use this with children."

Awards & Lists

19 AWESOME CHILDREN’S BOOKS WHERE BLACK CHARACTERS TAKE THE LEAD, HEALTHLINE

14 ANTIRACIST BOOKS FOR KIDS AND TEENS RECOMMENDED BY BIPOC TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS, NEW YORK TIMES

2020 ARNOLD ADOFF POETRY AWARDS, SPECIAL RECOGNITION

BEST CHILDREN’S BOOKS OF THE YEAR, 2019 EDITION, BANK STREET COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

CCBC CHOICES 2019, COOPERATIVE CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTER

2019 LEE BENNETT HOPKINS POETRY AWARD HONOR BOOK

IN THE MARGINS, 2019 RECOMMENDED LIST

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, BEST OF 2018, POETRY

KIRKUS REVIEWS, BEST OF 2018, MIDDLE GRADE POETRY

EVANSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, 101 GREAT BOOKS FOR KIDS 2018

DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY’S BEST AND BRIGHTEST POETRY OF 2018

THE 2018 ULTIMATE LIST OF DIVERSE CHILDREN’S BOOKS