The 1619 Project’s lyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States, thoughtfully rendered by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Newbery honor-winning author Renée Watson.
A young student receives a family tree assignment in school, but she can only trace back three generations. Grandma gathers the whole family, and the student learns that 400 years ago, in 1619, their ancestors were stolen and brought to America by white slave traders.
But before that, they had a home, a land, a language. She learns how the people said to be born on the water survived.
And the people planted dreams and hope,willed themselves to keepliving, living. And the people learned new wordsfor lovefor friendfor family for joyfor growfor home. With powerful verse and striking illustrations by Nikkolas Smith,
Born on the Water provides a pathway for readers of all ages to reflect on the origins of American identity.
Nikole Hannah-Jones is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter covering racial injustice for
The New York Times Magazine and creator of the landmark 1619 Project. In 2017, she received a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, known as the Genius Grant, for her work on educational inequality. She has also won a Peabody Award, two George Polk Awards, three National Magazine Awards, and the 2018 John Chancellor distinguished journalism award from Columbia University. In 2016, Nikole co-founded the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, a training and mentorship organization geared towards increasing the numbers of investigative reporters of color.
Renée Watson is a New York Times bestselling author. Her young adult novel,
Piecing Me Together (Bloomsbury, 2017) received a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award. Her books for young readers include
Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, and
Ways to Make Sunshine, which received the SCBWI Golden Kite Award. She has given readings and lectures at many renown places including the United Nations, the Library of Congress, and the U.S. Embassy in Japan and New Zealand. Renée is on the Council of Writers for the National Writing Project and is a member of the Academy of American Poets’ Education Advisory Council. Renée grew up in Portland, Oregon, and splits her time between Portland and New York City. To learn more about Renée’s work, visit her at www.reneewatson.net
Nikkolas Smith is a Houston, Texas-born Artivist, picture book author, and Hollywood film illustrator. He is the author/illustrator of
The Golden Girls of Rio, nominated for an NAACP Image Award,
My Hair Is Poofy And That’s Okay, and
World Cup Women. As a Black illustrator, Nikkolas is focused on creating captivating art that can spark important conversations around social justice in today’s world and inspire meaningful change. Many of his viral, globally shared and published sketches are included in his book
Sunday Sketch: The Art of Nikkolas. Nikkolas also speaks on his Artivism at conferences, workplaces, and schools around the world, and leads workshops in digital painting, character, and movie poster design. He lives in Los Angeles, California. Learn more here: www.NIKKOLAS.art
An Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller
An NPR Best Book of 2021
A TIME Magazine Best Children's Book of 2021
A Barnes & Noble Book of the Year finalist
A Barnes & Noble Best Picture Book of 2021
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2021
A School Library Journal Best Nonfiction Book of 2021
A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids 2021
An Evanston Public Library Great Book for Kids 2021: Poetry
A Chicago Public Library Best Informational Book for Older Readers of 2021
A News & Observer Best Book of 2021
An American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) Blog Best Book of 2021
An Amazon Best of November: Ages 6-8 of 2021
An Amazon Best children’s book of 2021: Ages 6 to 8
A 2023 AAMBC Literary Award for Children Books/YA Author of the Year, Winner
A 2022 ILA Notable Books for a Global Society Award Winner
A 2022 Irma S. Black Award Silver Medalist
A 2022 Bank Street College The Best Children’s Books of the Year
A 2022 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award for Children’s Poetry Winner
A 2022 NCTE/CLA Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts Award Winner
A 2022 SDUSMP Phillis Wheatley Book Award Winner
A Seattle’s Child Best Book of 2022
A King County Library System Best Children's Book of 2022
A 2022 Cybils Award Winner (blog)
An American Library Association 2022 Notable Children's Book
A 2021 Black Caucus of the American Library Association Best of the Best
A 2022 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book
An Indiana Read Aloud Selection
A Maine Student Book Award Selection
A Rhode Island Children’s Book Award Selection
A Capitol Choices (DC) Master List Title
A Volunteer State (TN) Book Award Selection
PRAISE FOR THE 1619 PROJECT: BORN ON THE WATER"A gift to Black Americans and everyone else who reads it." ―
Kirkus Reviews,
starred review
"Black history is not merely a story of slavery and suffering but one of perseverance and hope." ―
Publisher's Weekly, starred review
"A stunning work, providing a glimpse into the history of the Black experience before and after the slave trade; the poetic language and breathtaking artwork will have a lasting effect on readers." ―
School Library Journal,
starred review
"Written in lovely and loving verse, with dynamic, expressive, and expansive illustrations that convey the emotional journey of a resilient people, this book provides a moving, informative answer to an essential question." ―
Horn Book, starred review
