I-AND-I Bob Marley Reviews

Get up, Stand up

"In Love to Langston, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (2002), Medina paid homage to the Harlem poet Langston Hughes. His latest biography-in-verse celebrates another powerful master of words: Bob Marley. Early poems show Marley growing up on the Jamaican "farm of Nine Miles dust," struggling to understand his mixed heritage and absent father. Then, in "My Papa Sends for Me," a scared little boy of six boards a bus in the hopes of a better future, all the while crying "a hurricane of pain." Stories unfold in 17 individual poems as Marley learns the power of music, falls in love and ultimately shares his redemption songs with the world. Biographical elements sometimes stall the pace, but most verses scan smoothly in a relaxed, reggae style. Watson's light-soaked strokes of reds, greens and yellows saturate the pages with warmth and vitality. The irrefutable king of reggae bursts forth with twinkling eyes and "dreads / a twirl." From love to politics to peace, Marley's music stirs the soul - as does this passionate collaboration. Detailed endnotes provide background, poem by poem."

-Kirkus Reviews

"It's surprising, given Bob Marley's international fame and accessible, peace-promoting music, that there are so few books about his life available for youth. Medina, whose children's books include Love to Langston (2002), helps fill the void with this glowing, substantive, picture-book biography in verse. Following the reggae legend from birth to death, the mostly chronological poems reveal a full portrait of the musician, moving from personal details to wider themes. In one poem, Marley's words about his father encompass slavery, his biracial heritage, and the African Diaspora: "Papa is a white man so I've been told / My face a map of Africa in Europe's hold." In another, he speaks about both his love for music and the social justice he hopes to inspire: "We don't want to / Land in jail / All we want to do is wail / Be the voice of the voiceless / Bring some happiness and / Consciousness to the down-pressed." In the words and rhythms of Jamaican patois, Medina's lyrical, direct lines make the most sense when read in tandem with the extensive appended notes, which explain the many specific references to Jamaican history, Rastafarianism, and Marley's life events. Like the words, Watson's beautifully expressive acrylic paintings evoke a strong sense of Marley's remarkable life and his Caribbean homeland. A short bibliography of adult titles rounds out this rare, soulful tribute."
- ALA Booklist **STARRED REVIEW

"Bob Marley, renowned musician, poet, and advocate, made lasting and invaluable contributions to society. His songwriting and musical performances, with their messages of equality and hope, contributed to the rapid spread of reggae music around the world and earned him numerous high-profile awards. His political and ethical views, deeply intertwined in his music, strengthened his international appeal and also turned him into one of Jamaica's leading advocates for social justice.

This outstanding collection of original poems and bold, expressive artwork pays tribute to Bob Marley and introduces younger readers to his early years and his subsequent growth into a successful musician and spiritual leader. Thoroughly ingrained in the text and illustrations are important economic themes related to extreme poverty, inequality between blacks and whites, and the various forces - including talent, mentorship, and entrepreneurial zeal - that can nurture professional development. It is this combination of informative content with dramatic story -telling media that makes I and I such a potent vehicle for teaching the next generation about an influential artist and social leader who spread his message of peace in a truly innovative way."
- Rutgers University

Chess Rumble Reviews

*ALA Notable 

"In my 'hood, battles is fought every day,' quips Marcus, an angry middle schooler on the brink of big trouble. His words, rife with frustration, tumble across page after page in free-flowing verse as he paints a picture of his quickly fading innocence. In the short time since his sister's death, memories of eating ice cream and giggling have been replaced by the bleak reality of a persistent bully, fist fights, and an absent dad. After begrudgingly meeting CM, Chess Master, the school's 'bad dude' chess club adviser, an extended 'battle' metaphor unfolds, concluding as Marcus takes responsibility for his own actions and moves his fighting off the street and onto the chessboard. . . . Chess Rumble works, and works well. Neri expertly captures Marcus's voice and delicately teases out his alternating vulnerability and rage. The cadence and emotion of the verse are masterfully echoed through Watson's expressive acrylic illustrations. Blacks, whites, and grays echo the concrete world of Marcus's urban home and, even more so, his despairing mood. Scattered chess pieces evoke the crescendo of the boy's temper. The closing scene tenderly catches tough-guy Marcus in a smile as he pounds fists with CM before sitting down to do battle, a stark contrast to his opening image, one dominated entirely by his fist. This book will become a standby pick for reluctant readers, who will be pulled in before they know it by the story's quick pace and the authenticity of Marcus's voice and experience."

- School Library Journal

"'Lotsa things make me mad,' says young African American Marcus, who gets into fights at school and at home. Violence is all around: 'In my 'hood, / battles is fought every day.' And when he is hassled by bullies or by his little brothers, Marcus responds with his fists. Then his teacher sends him to the library, where he meets CM, a local chess master who teaches students to fight their battles on the board instead of the streets. In this strong debut, Marcus' authentic voice narrates in potent, free-verse poetry. With minimal, direct words, Neri makes clear, without overstating, how Marcus' sense of being misunderstood amplifies his frustrations and how, through chess, he learns to take responsibility for his feelings and actions. Watson effectively echoes each scene's mood in small gray-tone paintings that employ dramatic shading. A deeply shadowed portrait of Marcus' absent dad is particularly moving. Readers of all backgrounds will find themselves here, but this will have particular appeal among reluctant readers and young, inner-city teens."

- Booklist

"'Battles is fought every day' in 11-year-old Marcuss hood. Not only has his father abandoned the family, but his sister has recently died, leaving him frustrated, angry and ready to fight -even with his worried, red-eyed mother and his younger twin brothers. Just as his volatility starts to get him into real trouble, Marcus meets a Yoda-like chess master and ex-con in the school library who challenges him to a game of chess. At first, Marcus's 'opening move' is to hurl the chessboard groundward, but in time, he learns to master the game - and his temper. Marcus tells his story in street slang, in a conversational first-person voice. . . The acrylic black-and-white illustrations are particularly effective at capturing natural expressions and the concrete-gray inner-cityscape."

- Kirkus Reviews

Ghetto Cowboy Reviews

Artist Jesse Joshua Watson has been Neri’s longtime collaborator right from the start. Together they worked on Chess Rumble, when Watson wasn’t illustrating Bob Marley bios or Sharon Draper mysteries. One way or another, Watson has become the go-to guy when it comes to illustrating contemporary African-American boys. In Ghetto Cowboy, however, he’s had to add an extra difficult element: horses. I can’t tell you how many artists get stumped having to draw horses for books. Watson doesn’t shy away from the challenge, though. He has horses shying away from people, horses at rest, horses cantering, and horses running full throttle. I think it’s safe to say that it’s still people that Watson excels at, but there isn’t a moment in this book when you don’t believe in these animals.

- School Library Journal

Turns out Philadelphia isn’t much like Detroit. It’s the ’hood all right, but there are horses and stables and cowboys, right in the city. His father and his community of cowboys are continuing a tradition of urban cowboys dating back to the Civil War, maintaining stables and taking on kids to teach responsibility and provide an alternative to gangs and street life. But Cole doesn’t buy it: “You guys is funny. We in the city, with cars and computers and stuff, and you think you back in the Wild, Wild West!” Gradually, though, Cole finds he has a way with a horse named Boo, and in taking care of Boo he finds a new life for himself. It’s a fascinating glimpse of a culture most readers will not have heard of, and the author’s note leads to Neri’s website, with many links to articles and videos on the subject. Watson’s illustrations in pencil, ink and acrylic add a satisfying visual dimension.

- Kirkus Reviews

Hope for Haiti Reviews

PRAISE

"Watson doesn’t avoid the harsh realities of the disaster (an early scene shows a crowd jostling for food from U.N. peacekeepers), and his tropical palette underscores the hopeful nature of the book’s message. As the children play beneath a brilliant aqua sky, their future feels bright indeed."

- Publishers Weekly

This first book written and illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson is brilliant, from the opening words to the closing lines. This is a powerful glimpse into the tragedy of the Haiti earthquake, served up with an ample dose of hope and courage. I so admire the way this book is crafted and am thankful that this remarkable story can also be a vessel to help the children of Haiti.

- Kirby Larson

This book talks about the earthquake that Haiti endured. I remembered the last earthquake that happened in Haiti. I was so sad because I have so many family members living in Haiti. I can relate to this book because I understand the sadness that other my people endured during this rough time. Its great that this book has a positive spin in regards to the earthquake. The storyline would keep children captivated and interested. I also think the illustration is appropriate. I appreciate that this book does not contain negative stereotypes about Haiti and the Haitian people. This book is appropriate to read to elementary students, as they would learn about earthquakes and how it affected the lives of those in Haiti. I would consider the genre of this book to be historical fiction.

- Candy Sydney