Rating this book is a bit tricky for me. The ambition is clear: it shines a light on significant figures in US history, with each person condensed into a single lyrical verse chapter. Noteworthy is the gender equality. However, this approach leaves out a lot. Personally, I found the chapter about Barack Obama the most compelling, given my limited knowledge about him. I felt much was omitted, especially for readers who are neither from the US nor Black but POC. The book could be an excellent resource in a classroom setting, with some more background information added to it.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the uniqueness of highlighting 6 key Black historic figures through both verse writing and historical facts, sometimes in their own words, worked well. The depth of information about each person was educational and engaging.

The weakest point, for me, was the lack of lyrical movement in the verse/formatting. It was sometimes hard to follow the flow and discern the intention behind the organization.

The look at these people intermixed with historical implications and a broader look at the progress-or lack thereof- through time was eye opening.

Overall: 4.5 stars

I'll tell my students about: alcohol, language, sex, drugs, trauma/death, violence

**Thank you to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for the free ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

Ray Anthony Shepard introduces his book, A Long Time Coming, to the reader as “five story-poems . . . anchored in historical facts.” In beautiful verse, he tells the story of race through vignettes of the lives of six people who moved America closer to its ideal of freedom and justice for all. In Part I (1773-1913), he cites Ona Judge, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Tubman for their leaving enslavement behind and moving toward emancipation. Part II recounts the efforts of Ida B. Wells and Martin Luther King, Jr. in seeking freedom and justice, and Part III looks at the promise of America as seen in Barack Obama. The accounts are separate, yet connected, much like cars on a figurative train of the underground railroad. Shepard’s title sets the stage for a united nation that has been a long time coming. He adds little know details along with common knowledge about each of these influencers. His conclusion is hopeful but acknowledges that we’re not there yet.

Back matter includes author notes that give insight into Shepard’s personal connection with his subject as well as scholarly annotations, an index, and source notes.

Illustrator R. Gregory Christie causes the reader to pause and wonder as he captures both place and character in his pictures. The book is listed at seventh to ninth grade level but people of any age with a love of lyrically told history will enjoy the book, and those who love art will appreciate the illustrations. Both author and illustrator have won honors in the writing world for previous books. I expect this one will get the same kind of acclaim.

This is a tough one for me to rate. It's an ambitious book highlighting people with expansive contributions to US history. To reduce each to a chapter in lyrical verse means much is left out. The chapter that worked the best for me was on Ida B. Wells because I knew the least about her. Because I've read whole books on the others, I felt so much was missing. This could serve as an excellent starting point in a class but I don't know how many teens would pick this up on their own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 3/5 stars.

I think this was a read now on NetGalley and the premise seemed interesting, but it's missing the lyrical flow of many verse novels. There were also major issues with the formatting, so I'm not even sure if it was in order most of the time. There was good historical content and some few good quotes, but it felt underwhelming in terms of verse and tying the stories together. I do like the emphasis on specific people, though.

Shepard tells the story of six famous Black Americans in the novel in verse. It presents well known people like Frederick Douglass and Barack Obama right along side Ona Judge and Ida B. Wells. I appreciate the balance in genders the Shepard using in his storytelling. His poetic lines move clearly through important events of the figures, allowing to audience to begin to understand the complexities of race relations in America. The stories are accessible to young reader, the verse structure beckons the reader to follow the story until the end.

This is hands down one of the best books I have read this year. Attention all libraries and schools buy this book. Beautifully written and illustrated. The Cover is gorgeous.

A biography in verse about Ona Judge, Frederick Douglass, Harriett Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Martin Luther King Jr., and Barack Obama.

This is unlike any nonfiction I've read before. I was blown away with how cleverly language was used at several points. I haven't looked at page counts but it felt like some of the people were covered more than others.

A great book for anyone seeking to learn how far we have come and how far we still have to go to reach equality in the U.S. A superbly written verse traveling through the times of American history as it relates to the progress of Black Americans striving for equal rights. From Frederick Douglass to Barack Obama, historical facts are relaying in verse with such grace, that each titled passage gives meaning and context to the subject.'

This is a book I would recommend to my students to read and reflect on, So much narrative brilliantly told in short, simple poems.

A Long Time Coming by @rayanthonyshepard needs to be in every school library (even if it might end up banned given our current climate in some states)! I read it early thanks to @netgalley, but you can get it on August 8.
I devoured this biography in verse! It did an amazing job of weaving together the stories of Ona Judge, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas, Ida B Wells, Martin Luther King Jr, and Barrack Obama while telling so much truth about the struggle of being Black in this country. It was accurate, it was honest, and it will be accessible to young people because it is poetry.
I will be telling any librarian that will listen to get this book in their library!
#ilovetoread #relevantreading #kidsliterature

A biography-in-verse of race in America starting with Ona Judge, who escaped slavery in George Washington's household. This book highlighted the history of Black Americans like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, and MLK Jr.. I've read a lot of Black History now, yet there were still aspects of Black experience in America that I found myself looking up after reading parts of this story. It's beautifully, lyrically told, with the power and strength of the change making generations and their leaders in start contrast to the forces of oppression.

I read a free ARC from Netgalley, without being paid for a review. And after this book comes out, I plan to add it to my home library.

This is a powerful, moving book in verse about six Black Americans and their struggle for equality. It seems an odd way to impart facts and historical information, but it is a powerful way to learn about these three brave individuals who stood up for equality under the law. It would be great to use as a jumping off point in a history lesson about different time periods in American history. Highly recommend!

This biography book in verse chronicled 6 important historical Black figures. This style will appeal to my middle school students as its narrative style and brevity will work for their attention spans. It’s chock full of information on their importance.

Ray Anthony Shepard provides young readers with a Black history book that is creative, accessible, and educational. In A Long Time Coming, Shepard tells the story of five important Black figures, including Barack Obama, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ida B. Wells, Ona Judge, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, in a mash-up of verse, prose, poems, and quotes from historical accounts.

This is a fast-paced read that is full of historical information that young people, adults, and especially educators would benefit from reading and using in the classroom.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!

Thank you, Astra Publishing House, for the advance reading copy.

I love this collection of verses which accurately tells about six Black Americans from various era their journey, their struggles on how they went against injustice and oppression.

Even though it seems like we have come far, some of the things still stay vivid and relevant at the present moment. It’s books like this that would urge the present generation and the generations to come that injustice should not prevail no matter what caste or colour we belong to.

This is a short book but it holds all the important truths for all the generations.

Must read recommendation.