Revolutions Are Made of Love
The Story of James Boggs and Grace Lee Boggs
Revolutions are made out of love for people and for place.
This was a core belief of activists and married couple James Boggs and Grace Lee Boggs. James Boggs was a worker from rural Alabama in the segregated South. Grace Lee Boggs was a philosopher from urban Rhode Island and New York City. Both found their life’s work, and each other, in Detroit. James and Grace were drawn to civil rights—and the labor, social, and political organizations through which people struggled for better living conditions for all.
What they created together was more than a marriage, it was a partnership. They fought with others for fair housing, jobs, food, labor unions, urban gardens, and more to make the world a better place for all. Their wide-ranging activism spanned the second half of the twentieth century. Authors Sun Yung Shin and Mélina Mangal present the lives and ideas of James and Grace in an inspiring collection of paired poems with bold mixed-media artwork by debut picture book illustrator Leslie Barlow.
| Format | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|
|
979-8-7656-1152-4
|
$18.99 | |
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979-8-7656-7325-6
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$23.99 |
| Interest Level | Grade 2 - Grade 5 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 4 |
| Genre | Picture Books, Social Studies |
| Category | Biography, Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diverse Books: Social Justice, Diversity, Reading/Language Arts, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning |
| Copyright | 2025 |
| Publisher | Lerner Publishing Group |
| Imprint | Carolrhoda Books ® |
| Language | English |
| Number of Pages | 40 |
| Publication Date | 2025-11-04 |
Author: Mélina Mangal
Mélina Mangal has authored many children’s books, including the Outside Our Window board book series, The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just, Jayden’s Impossible Garden, and Jayden’s Secret Ingredient. Mélina was drawn to the Boggs’ compassionate spirit and commitment to urban gardening. Mélina also works as a librarian in Minnesota and enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.
Author: Sun Yung Shin
신 선 영 Sun Yung Shin is a Korean American poet, fiction writer, nonfiction writer, editor, and educator. Her books include four collections of poetry: The Wet Hex (Coffee House Press, 2022); Unbearable Splendor (Coffee House Press, 2016, Minnesota Book Award winner); Rough, and Savage (Coffee House Press, 2012); and Skirt Full of Black (Coffee House Press, 2006, Asian American Literary Award). Her poetry has been supported with fellowships and grants from the MacDowell Residency, the Archibald Bush Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, and the Minnesota State Arts Board. She lives in Minneapolis near Minnehaha Creek.
Illustrator: Leslie Barlow
Leslie Barlow is an artist living and working on occupied Očeti Šakówin and Wahpekute land now known as Minneapolis, MN. In 2021 Barlow was awarded the Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship, and in 2019 she was awarded both the McKnight Visual Artist Fellowship and the 20/20 Springboard Fellowship. She exhibits her work through the United States including the Minnesota Museum of American Art, Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the Weisman Art Museum. Barlow currently teaches at the University of Minnesota and leads the Public Functionary Studio Program for emerging artists.
Reviews
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“In this innovative picture book biography, poetry and lush illustrations tell the story of James and Grace Lee Boggs. . . The art is rich and profound, with intense colors paired with expressive, detailed portraits and scenes that reflect the text.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Booklist
“Readers will learn about the injustices and influences that shaped Grace and Jim when they were very young and how they responded to those forces, overcoming obstacles in their own paths and then working for the betterment of other people.”—Booklist
Publishers Weekly
“A painterly approach distinguishes exemplary portraiture from multimedia artist Barlow, making a picture book debut; the characters’ expressions convey both their connection and their fervent passion for fighting for equity across a work about ‘a true/ collaboration,/ a union/ of love/ and struggle.’”—Publishers Weekly
Foreword Reviews
“The prose poems are accessible and clear, with a pleasant cadence and beauty. . .The illustrations are also outstanding throughout, with bright colors and rich details. . . Revolutions Are Made of Love is a creative dual biography in poems—a meaningful story about love and partnership.”—Foreword Reviews
School Library Journal
“The poetry is able to convey succinctly the extensive accomplishments of both subjects and the hurdles they faced together and individually, imbuing it with a tone of hope throughout. The illustrations are based on images and stories of the couple, portrayed thoughtfully in each time period of their lives with vivid imagery and color. An exceptional choice for libraries that cherish the stories of unsung, exceptional American people.”—starred, School Library Journal