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Gr 6 Up—This beautifully illustrated collection of free-verse poems introduces readers to the Harlem Hellfighters, a group of black American soldiers who fought in World War I, impressing the French with their courage and tenacity while also inspiring Europeans with their music, "a mix of primitive jazz, blues, and upbeat ragtime." Despite the picture book format, the sophisticated writing style will be best understood by older readers. In addition, background knowledge is necessary to fully comprehend the poetry. For example, the poem "Somewhere" read...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

The story of the 15th New York National Guard, or the "Harlem Hellfighters," an all-black regiment that joined the Great War in its final year, is a revealing lens through which to view that conflict. Lewis brings a stark poetic sensibility to his topic. His free verse captures the world the men left, a training camp in the South, a place of "deputy sheriffs certain that black was not any color of the rainbow." In fourteen words he references the irony of black men being shipped across the Atlantic -- "Somewhere in the mid-Atlantic fo...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

The story of an all-black regiment is a revealing lens through which to view the Great War. Lewis brings a stark poetic sensibi...Log In or Sign Up to Read More