Show Way

Woodson, Jacqueline. Show Way. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2005.

Woodson traces eight generations in her family, starting it off with Soonie’s great-grandmother being sold into slavery at the age of seven. Soonie’s skills and creativity is past down to each generation that will help each of the girls in their own way. Going from slavery to freedom with this timeline shows readers how life and this family changed throughout history and using the skills that have been given to them. Illustrator, Hudson Talbott, creates each page as if it was a part of the quilt that adds to the words and the history this story is portraying. Talbott uses a contrast between dark and bright colors like pink, purple, and yellow that truly makes each page stand out. The quilt patterns are amazing to look at as they are portrayed throughout the book. When reading this a person needs to take a moment and examine the art that is absolutely remarkable, and adds such a reality to this story. Between the amazing story that is being shared and the creation of each page this book is definitely a deserved Newbery Medal Honor.