The narrative explores the strength and determination of a community that refuses to be displaced, highlighting the power of music as a source of sustenance. It weaves together themes of sorrow, joy, and resilience, delivering a poignant message about honoring one's heritage and expressing personal truth. Through its dramatic storytelling, the book encourages readers to find their voice and uplift it, particularly in times of hardship, making it a vital read for all ages.
A Coretta Scott King–John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award WinnerIn a companion to Build a House, Rhiannon Giddens--Grammy Award winner and cofounder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops—gives wing to a moving tale of grace and transcendence, with acclaimed artist Briana Mukodiri Uchendu.At a sparrow's urging, a young girl feels a mysterious trembling in her arms, a lightness in her feet, a longing to be free. Her mother tells her that her Granny Liza experienced the same, as did many of their people before her. Perhaps it's time, Mama says, to slip the bonds of earth and join the journey started long ago? To hold each other tight and rise? Drawing on song lyrics, which in turn draw on a heritage of African folklore, this incantatory dialogue between a mother and daughter paired with startlingly beautiful illustrations celebrates love, resilience, and the spiritual power of the "old-time ways"—tradition and shared cultural memory—to sustain and uplift.