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Jump at the Sun
The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston
Illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara
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Table of Contents
About The Book
From the Newbery Honor–winning author of Genesis Begins Again comes a shimmering picture book that shines the light on Zora Neale Hurston, the extraordinary writer and storycatcher extraordinaire who changed the face of American literature.
Zora was a girl who hankered for tales like bees for honey. Now, her mama always told her that if she wanted something, “to jump at de sun”, because even though you might not land quite that high, at least you’d get off the ground. So Zora jumped from place to place, from the porch of the general store where she listened to folktales, to Howard University, to Harlem. And everywhere she jumped, she shined sunlight on the tales most people hadn’t been bothered to listen to until Zora. The tales no one had written down until Zora. Tales on a whole culture of literature overlooked…until Zora. Until Zora jumped.
Zora was a girl who hankered for tales like bees for honey. Now, her mama always told her that if she wanted something, “to jump at de sun”, because even though you might not land quite that high, at least you’d get off the ground. So Zora jumped from place to place, from the porch of the general store where she listened to folktales, to Howard University, to Harlem. And everywhere she jumped, she shined sunlight on the tales most people hadn’t been bothered to listen to until Zora. The tales no one had written down until Zora. Tales on a whole culture of literature overlooked…until Zora. Until Zora jumped.
About The Author
(c) Jasiatic
Alicia D. Williams is the author of Mid-Air, which was longlisted for the National Book Award; Genesis Begins Again, which received Newbery and Kirkus Prize honors, was a William C. Morris Award finalist, and for which she won the Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award for New Talent; and picture books Jump at the Sun, Nani and the Lion, and The Talk, which was also a Coretta Scott King Honor book. An oral storyteller in the African American tradition, she lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
About The Illustrator
Jacqueline Alcántara is the illustrator of the critically acclaimed The Field and Freedom Soup. Her favorite days are spent drawing, painting, writing, and walking her dog. In 2016, she was awarded the inaugural We Need Diverse Books Illustrator mentorship. Find out more at JacquelineAlcantara.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (January 12, 2021)
- Length: 48 pages
- ISBN13: 9781534419131
- Grades: P - 3
- Ages: 5 - 8
- Lexile ® AD1030L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®
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Raves and Reviews
*"A lively, joyfully rendered portrait of a literary legend."
– Publisher Weekly, starred review
* “Williams’ narration is a readaloud dream….it will be a joyful guide for folklore enthusiasts”
– BCCB, starred review
* “This introduction to an American icon feels just right.”
– Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "A welcome addition to any picture book biography collection"
– School Library Journal, STARRED review
Awards and Honors
- CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)
- Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best
- NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
- Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Selection Title
- Eureka! Excellence in Nonfiction Gold Award (CA)
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Jump at the Sun Hardcover 9781534419131
- Author Photo (jpg): Alicia D. Williams (c) Jasiatic(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
