Portland Public Library

Crown, an ode to the fresh cut, Derrick Barnes ; illustrated by Gordon C. James

eng

illustrations

no index present

Elementary Grade

fiction

Crown

972385304

Derrick Barnes ; illustrated by Gordon C. James

Accelerated Reader/Renaissance Learning, LG, 3.8, 0.5, 194442.

an ode to the fresh cut

Celebrates the magnificent feeling that comes from walking out of a barber shop with newly-cut hairThe barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good: lesser grades turn into As; girls take notice; even a mother's hug gets a little tighter. Everyone notices. A fresh cut makes boys fly. This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence, and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber's chair--a tradition that places on their heads a figurative crown, beaming with jewels, that confirms their brilliance and worth and helps them not only love and accept themselves but also take a giant step toward caring how they present themselves to the world. The fresh cuts. That's where it all begins. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a high-spirited, engaging salute to the beautiful, raw, assured humanity of black boys and how they see themselves when they approve of their reflections in the mirror. -- Provided by publisher

primary

Ode to the fresh cut