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Janna and the Kings

By Patricia Smith
Illustrated by Aaron Boyd

Hardcover: out of stock

Paperback: $10.95

Ebook


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Saturdays are special for Janna. That's when she and Granddaddy spend the whole day together.

Walking down the street with Granddaddy is like strolling through a kingdom with a king. He knows everyone and everyone knows him. Best of all, Granddaddy and Janna always head for her favorite place in the world — Terrell's barbershop. There, Granddaddy and his friends are kings in barber chair thrones, and Janna is a princess, showered with love and attention.

One day Granddaddy passes away, and Janna feels she has lost their wonderful kingdom forever. But with great courage and some unexpected help, Janna finds her way back to the happiness of those special Saturdays.

Winner of LEE & LOW's New Voices Award, Janna and the Kings is a moving story of love and rediscovery, and a celebration of the enduring bond between grandchild and grandparent.
 

Reviews & Comments

Foreword Magazine
 Family Fun Magazine
 Booklist
 School Library Journal
 Kirkus Reviews
 Publishers Weekly

About the Creators

Thumb_thumb Patricia Smith - Author

was inspired to write her debut picture book Janna and the Kings by childhood memories of Saturdays spent at the barbershop with her father. Smith is an award-winning journalist, playwright, and performer, and a four-time individual champion of the National Poetry Slam. She also authored the companion book to the critically acclaimed PBS documentary "Africans in America." Smith lives in Tarrytown, New York.

Thumb_aaron_boyd_photo Aaron Boyd

AARON BOYD has illustrated numerous picture books, including Calling the Water Drum, Janna and the Kings, and Babu's Song for Lee & Low Books. His work has been recognized by the Children's Africana Book Award and the International Literacy Association (ILA). He lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. You can visit him online at aaronboydart.blogspot.com.

About This Title

ISBN

Hardcover: 9781584300885

Paperback: 9781620142530

Awards

Best Books About Real Life
Family Fun Magazine

Children's Book Award Notable
International Reading Association (IRA)

Honor Book Award
Society of School Librarians International

Guided Reading:

O

Lexile:

AD830L

Interest Level:

Grades 1 - 4

Reading Level:

Grades 3 - 3

Themes

Overcoming Obstacles, Mentors, Grandparents, Friendship, Families, Coping with Death, African/African American Interest, Optimism/Enthusiasm, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Realistic Fiction

Part of These Collections

Fluent English, Fluent Dual Language , New Voices Award Winners & Honors Collection, African American English Collection Grades 3-6, African American English Collection Grades PreK-2, Realistic Fiction Collection Grades PreK-2, English Guided Reading Level O, Trauma-Informed Collection, Juneteenth Webinar Collection