"Bird" by Zetta Elliott, illustrated by Shadra Strickland

Winning the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for “New Talent”, this simple little book conveys a sad and realistic story in a very gentle way. Mehkai, nicknamed “Bird”, lives in the city and likes to draw. His older brother Marcus, his idol, has become hooked on drugs and has been thrown out of the house. As Bird focuses on how to be strong amidst life’s harsh goodbyes, he finds solace in the birds, who circle free in multi-colored skies all around him. With a good community of family and friends, it is clear that Bird will survive because he looks upwards to see the good in life. The drawings, in watercolor and colored pencils, help to enrich a touching story that can bring a tear or two to your eye.