**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 keep
living, living.
And the people learned new words
for love
for friend
for family
for joy
for grow
for 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.