Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year Winner of the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People Arnold Adoff Poetry Honor Award A Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices Selection "Keet, a girl from Alabama, loves language and storytelling, but her family's move to Illinois makes her feel silenced. Harrington perfectly captures her character's growth by using all the tools poetry provides: artfully chosen words, thought-provoking metaphors, appropriate rhythm and pacing, and changing points of view. Harrington also includes various poetic forms and a postscript offering additional information about each of them: an unusual addition for a title of this format. Keet's is a simple and familiar-feeling story, but one that is understated, fully realized, deftly written, and utterly absorbing."-- School Library Journal, starred review "A gentle-spirited book about a black girl who almost gives up her gift but for love and friendship." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review "This lyrical novel in verse effortlessly weaves together multiple poetry forms to introduce readers to Katharen, called Keet, a young girl who loves to talk and spin stories. The poems effectively convey conflicting emotions; different styles (haiku, concrete, blues, etc.,) express moods and nuances without being distracting.

This is a wonderful addition to the novel-in-verse canon, whether enjoyed individually, shared as a read-aloud, or used as a class text." -- Booklist.