I Heard: An American Journey
by Jaha Nailah Avery, Illustrated by Steffi Walthall

A powerful and poetic picture book about Black history in the United States, from the shores of Africa and slavery, to the civil rights and Black Lives Matter movements.

With stunning lyricism reminiscent of traditional African spirituals and today’s rhythm and flow of hip-hop, a teacher shares the history of being Black in the US, while continuing to march into present day—undeterred and proud to be Black. Author Jaha Nailah Avery shows you have to understand the past to shape the future, and knowing who you are gives you the strength to do just that.

The book’s back matter on Black history is an extensive resource and provides additional context to the reading of I Heard.