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 sidesattle
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.
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