A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks

Acclaimed writer Alice Faye Duncan tells the story of poet Gwendolyn Brooks, the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize.

Included on the Chicago Public Libraries list of Best Informational Books for Young Readers

SING a song for Gwendolyn Brooks.
Sing it loud—a Chicago blues.

With a voice both wise and witty, Gwendolyn Brooks crafted poems that captured the urban Black experience and the role of women in society. She grew up on the South Side of Chicago, reading and writing constantly from a young age, her talent lovingly nurtured by her parents. Brooks ultimately published 20 books of poetry, two autobiographies, and one novel. Alice Faye Duncan has created her own song to celebrate Gwendolyn’s life and work, illuminating the tireless struggle of revision and the sweet reward of success.

Praise

"Stirring, accessible ... a must-have for all elementary collections.” "

"Duncan underlines the growth not only of Brooks’s talent, but of her belief in herself."

"A strong, useful, and beautiful text ... A solid introduction to a brilliant writer."

School Library Journal, starred review

"A strong, useful, and beautiful text ... A solid introduction to a brilliant writer."

"Duncan underlines the growth not only of Brooks’s talent, but of her belief in herself."

"A strong, useful, and beautiful text ... A solid introduction to a brilliant writer."

Kirkus Reviews

"Duncan underlines the growth not only of Brooks’s talent, but of her belief in herself."

Publishers Weekly

"Cuts to the heart of Brooks’ experience growing up in the 1920s Chicago South Side."

"Duncan underlines the growth not only of Brooks’s talent, but of her belief in herself."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"This book makes a terrific companion to Brooks’ body of work."

"Cuts to the heart of Brooks’ experience growing up in the 1920s Chicago South Side."

"This book makes a terrific companion to Brooks’ body of work."

Booklist

A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks

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Praise

"Stirring, accessible ... a must-have for all elementary collections.” "

"Duncan underlines the growth not only of Brooks’s talent, but of her belief in herself."

"A strong, useful, and beautiful text ... A solid introduction to a brilliant writer."

"A strong, useful, and beautiful text ... A solid introduction to a brilliant writer."

"Duncan underlines the growth not only of Brooks’s talent, but of her belief in herself."

"A strong, useful, and beautiful text ... A solid introduction to a brilliant writer."

"Duncan underlines the growth not only of Brooks’s talent, but of her belief in herself."

"Duncan underlines the growth not only of Brooks’s talent, but of her belief in herself."

"Duncan underlines the growth not only of Brooks’s talent, but of her belief in herself."

"Cuts to the heart of Brooks’ experience growing up in the 1920s Chicago South Side."

"Cuts to the heart of Brooks’ experience growing up in the 1920s Chicago South Side."

"Duncan underlines the growth not only of Brooks’s talent, but of her belief in herself."

"This book makes a terrific companion to Brooks’ body of work."

"Cuts to the heart of Brooks’ experience growing up in the 1920s Chicago South Side."

"This book makes a terrific companion to Brooks’ body of work."

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