Book description
A historical middle-grade novel in verse from multiple Coretta Scott King winner Vaunda Micheaux Nelson.
As school begins in 1963, Cooper Dale wrestles with what it means to "shine" for a black girl in a predominantly white community near Pittsburgh. Set against the historic backdrop of the Birmingham church bombing,…
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Why read it?
1 author picked Radiant as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
I never know whether to pick books for children or grownups in these selections, but I write for children so my picks are trending young this year. Radiant is a verse novel written in the viewpoint of its young protagonist, Cooper. The author, Vaunda Micheaux Nelson has been a dear friend and writing colleague for years. Cooper finds her own radiance and inner strength despite the fractures of the world around her and through a commingling of musical fandom, faith, and dawning social awareness. I was fortunate to see this work grow in small clusters of poems as they emerged…
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