Elspeth Lorraine

Have you ever read a book that made you want to get up and change the world?

Have you ever read a book about a real-life person who made you want to raise your fist and cheer? Cheer for their heart. Cheer for their persistence. Their intelligence. Their championing of others. In case you already guessed. This was that book for me! I’d never heard of Augusta Braxton Baker, the first Black coordinator of children’s services of the New York library. And if you haven’t either, let me try to convince you to learn more. 

If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to share the first sentence of the book with you. (As a little treat.) “Augusta Braxton Baker grew up to be a master storyteller. But before that, she was an amazing story listener.” I read that and immediately thought I AM COOKED. I guess Breanna thought she could just start her book that way and we’d be calm, but I won’t. That’s some beautiful prose. And it continues throughout. She takes us through Augusta’s life as she works towards her storytelling dreams. Once she became the children’s librarian for the 135th branch of the New York Public Library, she realized there were very few books about Black people’s lives. And the ones that they did have weren’t respectful to Black people. Augusta knew she could change this. She became a bridge between fine books and the people who needed them. She ended up traveling the world supporting readers, writers, and educators. She was a beacon for fine literature. 

Bits and Pieces: The art for this book was created using mixed media, acrylics, and artist pens. You can see the immense care and respect that went into this book. And I’m happy to report there’s something here for children and adults. The language is lyrical with tons of biographical information and historical facts. But the story is engaging and exciting. 

Not Sure About: I am nosy, so I would have enjoyed learning more about her personal life. But instead of this being a negative, it will just inspire me to do my own research. 

Favorite Part: It wasn’t all Audre Lord, John Steptoe, and Virginia Hamilton. Augusta was on Sesame Street! So her credentials with the children were also top-tier. The back matter is lots of fun and makes you want to dive in and learn more. This book has won a ton of awards including:

Ezra Jack Keats Writer Award
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
Kirkus Best Books of the Year
Chicago Public Library Best Books of the Year
New York Public Library Best Books of the Year
ALSC Notable Children's Books
Horn Book Fanfare
BolognaRazzi Award: Braw Amazing Bookshelf Sustainability Selection
ILA 2025 Notable Books for a Global Society
CLA/NCTE 2025 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
NCSS 2025 Septima P. Clark Book Award Winner (Middle Level)‍

Go check it out! 

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