Synopses & Reviews
Experience the joy of Juneteenth in this celebration of freedom from the award-winning team of Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Through the eyes of one little girl, andlt;I andgt;All Different Now andlt;/Iandgt;tells the story of the first Juneteenth, the day freedom finally came to the last of the slaves in the South. Since then, the observance of June 19 as African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. This stunning picture book includes notes from the author and illustrator, a timeline of important dates, and a glossary of relevant terms.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Told in Angela Johnsonand#8217;s signature melodic style and brought to life by E.B. Lewisand#8217;s striking paintings, andlt;Iandgt;All Different Now andlt;/Iandgt;is a joyous portrait of the dawn breaking on the darkest time in our nationand#8217;s history.
Review
"Rich, subdued watercolors convey the celebrations with dignity and awe. Johnson's attached verse enables younger readers to see the momentous nature of this date...a worthy addition to any collection on the topic."
Review
*"The richness of this bookand#8217;s words and images will inspire readers to learn more about this holiday that never should have been necessaryand#8230;but was."
Review
*and#8220;This elegant collaboration by the creators of Lily Brownand#8217;s Paintings tells of the day that slaves on a Texas plantation learn they are freeand#8230; Johnsonand#8217;s graceful poem is narrated by a girl who heads to the cotton fields one June morning with her family and other slaves, unaware and#8220;that soon,/ it would all be different.and#8221;and#8230; Using a lovely, muted palette, Lewisand#8217;s expressive watercolors convey the impact of the news of freedom, dramatically contrasting the slavesand#8217; lives before and after.and#8221;
Review
*"Juneteenth...is a day of celebration for many African Americans. In exquisite, lyrical text, Johnson reimagines that historic event from the perspective of one fictional family, on a day that started like any other...Lewisand#8217;s soft watercolors mirror the emotion of the text...Placed alongside the many very good books about slavery for young readers, Johnson and Lewisand#8217;s story is an excellent next step in African American history, a celebration of moving forward."
Review
*and#8220;With a narrative notable for its understated simplicity and lack of judgment, this title allows readers to draw their own conclusions. An effective entrand#233;e to a challenging conversation.and#8221;
Review
"Johnsonand#8217;s quiet ragged-right prose has a credible breathlessness as it conveys the mixture of stunned amazement and sheer joy. Lewisand#8217; limpid watercolors are low-key, his usual chiaroscuro effectively illuminating the diurnal progress of the text as well as the emotional shades of the story...This is an emotive and effective way to take emancipation from a historic date to the experience of people whose lives changed, and itand#8217;ll open kidsand#8217; eyes to the impact of the transition."
Review
"This is a handsomely designed book, a thoughtful book, a joyous book, and a great historical perspective."
Synopsis
Experience the joy of Juneteenth in this celebration of freedom from the award-winning team of Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis.
Through the eyes of one little girl, All Different Now tells the story of the first Juneteenth, the day freedom finally came to the last of the slaves in the South. Since then, the observance of June 19 as African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. This stunning picture book includes notes from the author and illustrator, a timeline of important dates, and a glossary of relevant terms.
Told in Angela Johnson s signature melodic style and brought to life by E.B. Lewis s striking paintings, All Different Now is a joyous portrait of the dawn breaking on the darkest time in our nation s history."
About the Author
Angela Johnson has won three Coretta Scott King Awards, one each for her novels andlt;iandgt;The First Part Lastandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Heavenandlt;/iandgt;, and andlt;iandgt;Toning the Sweepandlt;/iandgt;. andlt;iandgt;The First Part Lastandlt;/iandgt; was also the recipient of the Michael L. Printz Award. She is also the author of the novels andlt;iandgt;Looking for Redandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;A Certain Octoberandlt;/iandgt;. Her books for younger readers include the Coretta Scott King Honor Book andlt;iandgt;When I Am Old with Youandlt;/iandgt;, illustrated by David Soman; andlt;iandgt;Wind Flyersandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;I Dream of Trainsandlt;/iandgt;, both illustrated by Loren Long; and andlt;iandgt;Lottie Paris Lives Here andlt;/iandgt;and its sequel andlt;iandgt;Lottie Paris and the Best Placeandlt;/iandgt;, both illustrated by Scott M. Fischer. Additional picture books includeandnbsp;andlt;iandgt;A Sweet Smell of Rosesandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Just Like Josh Gibsonandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;The Day Ray Got Awayandlt;/iandgt;, and andlt;iandgt;All Different Nowandlt;/iandgt;. In recognition of her outstanding talent, Angela was named a 2003 MacArthur Fellow. She lives in Kent, Ohio. Visit her at AJohnsonAuthor.com.