?A cycle of a dozen lyrical poems exploring issues of African-American identity through delicately interwoven images. . . . Laden with meaning, the poetry is significant and lovely. Cooper's paintings, with vibrant, unsentimentalized characters in earth tone illumined with gold, are warm, contemplative'a beautiful complement to Thomas's eloquence. A must.' 'K. ?Poems rooted in home, family, and the African-American experience?. Highly readable and attractive.' 'BL.<br> <P> <awards> 1994 Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book for Nonfiction<br>1994 Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book for Illustration<br>1994 Teachers' Choices (IRA)<br>Notable 1994 Childrens' Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)<br>1994 Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts (NCTE)<br>100 Books for Reading and Sharing (NY Public Library)<br><br>1993 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA)</awards>