"In this illuminating picture book biography, Clark-Rhines and Clark-Robinson frame the life of civil rights activist and teacher Septima Clark as one driven by the subject's passion for education and belief in equality. Emotionally driven text introduces the figure's message of perseverance at significant moments, while Albano-Payton's thickly stroked oil illustrations supply expressive portraits on every spread." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) "The lyrical prose and expressive oil-on-canvas illustrations effectively convey the story of this gifted teacher who effectively helped 700,000 Black people become voters. This laudatory account is a fitting tribute to an icon who fittingly believed that 'continued learning is the basis for being richly alive.'" - Booklist (starred review) "An eloquent tribute to the character and achievements of a decidedly undersung mover and shaker of the Civil Rights Movement." - Kirkus Reviews "The text is clear, informative, and direct, punctuated with various iterations of the hymn, "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'round," to create a rhythmic introduction to an oft-overlooked civil rights leader. The thick brushstrokes combine with bold, complementary colors to saturate the pages and create a sense of depth in which both realistic scenes and more conceptual motifs play out. Pair this with McDaniel's Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller for a look at Black educators who countered racism and sexism with passionate teaching and outreach.

" - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books A fitting tribute to an often-overlooked Black woman of the civil rights movement. - The Horn Book Magazine.