Hop on the bike with Bessie Stringfield, the motorcycle queen of
Miami, in this powerful picture book from Coretta Scott King medalist
Charles R. Smith, Jr. and debut picture book illustrator Charlot
Kristensen.
The folks they lined up to meet the Motorcycle Queen, seated sidesaddle
on her motorbike machine.
In 1929, 18-year-old Bessie Stringfield hopped on her motorcycle and
headed out on an adventure, an unusual choice for a young Black woman at
the time. Paying her way by winning motorcycle races, she criss-crossed
the country through small towns, big cities, and wide open spaces.
But not everyone was happy to see Bessie's brown face peeking out from
underneath her helmet. And more than once, Bessie found herself making
some quick exits on the back of her bike to escape Jim Crow. A
trailblazer in the world of women's racing and motorcycling, Bessie
Stringfield was a figure who will inspire all children to pursue their
dreams.
From the first line, award-winning author Charles R. Smith Jr.'s poetry
evokes emotion, excitement, fear, and wonder in equal measures. Charlot
Kristensen portrays Bessie and the American landscape with vivid imagery
that is sure to capture the attention of young readers.
A much-needed story about a Black woman who paved the way for future
generations, for fans of The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Kadir
Nelson and My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña.
