Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton

George loved words. Enslaved and forced to work long hours, he was unable to attend school or learn how to read.

But he was determined―he listened to the white children's lessons and learned the alphabet. Then he taught himself to read.

Soon, he began composing poetry in his head and reciting it aloud as he sold fruits and vegetables on a nearby college campus. News of the enslaved poet traveled quickly among the students, and before long, George had customers for his poems. But George was still enslaved. Would he ever be free?

Award-winning author-illustrator Don Tate tells an inspiring and moving story of talent and determination in this powerful picture book biography of George Moses Horton, the first southern Black writer to have his work published.

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Published: 09/01/2015
Pages: 36
Weight: 1lbs
Size: 11.00h x 9.60w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781561458257
Age: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.5
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 175345 / Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton


Award: Ezra Jack Keats Book Award - Winner


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 06/01/2015
Kirkus Reviews 05/15/2015 pg. 44
School Library Journal 07/01/2015 pg. 104
Publishers Weekly 07/20/2015
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2015 pg. 133
Booklist 10/15/2015 pg. 40
Kirkus Best Picture Books 11/15/2015 pg. 65
PW Children's Starred Reviews 12/02/2015 pg. 50

About the Author
Don Tate grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, where he learned about Black history at the Center for Study and Application of Black Theology. He grew up to become an author and illustrator of numerous award-winning children's books, including It Jes' Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw and Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton, both of received Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor awards. He lives in Austin, Texas.