Black Was the Ink

Black Was the Ink

Through the help of a ghostly ancestor, sixteen-year-old Malcolm is sent on a journey through Reconstruction-era America to find his place in modern-day Black progress. Malcolm Williams hasn't been okay for a while. He's angry and despondent and feels like nothing good ever happens for teens like him in D.C. All he wants is to be left alone in his room for the summer to draw or play video games--but no such luck. With growing violence in his neighborhood, his mother ships him off to his father's family farm in Mississippi, and Malcolm is anything but pleased. A few days after his arrival, his great-aunt tells him that the State is acquiring the farm to widen a highway. It's not news Malcolm is concerned about, but someone plans to make it his concern. One minute Malcolm is drawing in the farmhouse attic, and the next he's looking through the eyes of his ancestor Cedric Johnson in 1866. As Cedric, Malcolm meets the real-life Black statesmen who fought for change during the Reconstruction era: Hiram Revels, Robert Smalls, and other leaders who made American history. But even after witnessing their bravery, Malcolm's faith in his own future remains shaky, particularly since he knows that the gains these statesmen made were almost immediately stripped away. If those great men couldn't completely succeed, why should he try? Malcolm must decide which path to take. Can Cedric's experiences help him construct a better future? Or will he resign himself to resentments and defeat? Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Nic Stone, and featuring illustrations by upcoming artist, Justin Johnson, Black Was the Ink is a powerful coming-of-age story and an eye-opening exploration of an era that defined modern America. Gr 6 Up-During the summer before his junior year in high school, Malcolm's mom decides she wants him to spend time with his late father's family in Mississippi. While he initially is not a fan of farm work, he finds the diary of Cedric, a man who worked in Washington, DC, during Reconstruction, in the attic. He starts hearing Cedric's voice and periodically gets pulled back in time to live snippets of Cedric's life. This allows Malcolm to see first-hand a period when African American politicians were serving in the U.S. Congress and making positive civil rights legislation before the emergence of Jim Crow laws in the deep south. Coles adeptly creates a character that readers will care about. However, it can be difficult to use dialogue to convey history, since people don't often provide enough context to give the uninitiated adequate insight, and such is the case with many of the historical conversations in this book; it can be distracting to readers. It isn't clear that the modern-day portion of this book is set in 2015 until the Charleston church shooting occurs. Naming the year earlier would have made a reference to an iPod and some slightly dated slang in the text seem less jarring. VERDICT Despite some narrative issues, this is a unique and readable look at a historical period that is not often covered in teen literature.-Kristin Lee Anderson, Jackson County Lib. Svcs., ORα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. "A tool for young people to learn about the contributions made by Blacks from the reconstruction era through modern times. I believe it will help the young probe and question many aspects of history that have gone unnoticed. Your story represents a journey of discovery, courage, and legacy." -- Marc H. Morial, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Urban League "A clear-eyed novel of youthful challenges and precariousness buoyed by ancestral spirits and a history fraught with struggle and purpose." -- Tony Medina, author of I Am Alfonso Jones * "Coles' stunning debut celebrates forgotten heroes and better futures. . . Sensitively explores what it means to care about something, fight for something, and effect lasting change. Teens will immediately connect with Malcom's journey and readily identify the real-life issues involving systematic oppression, social justice, and racism that Coles poignantly examines. A powerful story." -- Booklist , starred review "This engaging and timely novel, showcasing atrocities and highlighting joyous moments, will likewise transport its readers. Meticulous details and a leisurely pace lead to a realistic but uplifting conclusion. Malcolm's anger over the plight of Black Americans will resonate with many readers and open the minds of others. A dynamic look at how the past informs the future." -- Kirkus Reviews "Eye-opening, and the audience will likely share Malcolm's outrage that this chapter in Black American history rarely makes it into the curriculum intact. . . Readers will appreciate Malcolm's growth as an activist and artist." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Michelle Coles is an accomplished civil rights attorney and a proud alumna of the Univers