Award-winning author-illustrator Don Tate celebrates the first Black author in the South to be published in this first-ever picture book biography of George Moses Horton.

Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award winner
Carter G. Woodson Book Award (Elementary) winner - National Council for the Social Studies

★ "Offers a new perspective with remarkable clarity." ―Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

★ "A lovely introduction to an inspirational American poet." ―School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

★ "Stirring." ―Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

George loved words, but he was also enslaved. Forced to work long hours, he was unable to attend school or learn how to read. But he was determined―he listened to the white children's lessons and learned the alphabet. Then he taught himself to read.

Soon, he began composing poetry in his head and reciting it as he sold fruits and vegetables on a nearby college campus. News of the slave poet traveled quickly among the students, and before long, George had customers for his poems. But George was still enslaved. Would he ever be free?

In this powerful biography of George Moses Horton, the first southern African-American man to be published, Don Tate tells an inspiring and moving story of talent and determination. A must for Black and American history collections. Available as an ebook.

Awards:

Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award ―Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, de Grummond Children's Literature Collection
Carter G. Woodson Book Award (Elementary) ―National Council for the Social Studies
Christopher Award (Books for Young People) ―Christophers
Notable Children's Books ―Association for Library Service to Children

Also available from Don Tate:
Carter Reads the Newspaper
William Still and His Freedom Stories