The 1619 Project s lyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the
history of Black resistance in the United States thoughtfully rendered by Pulitzer
Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Newbery honor-winning author Renée Watson. A
young student receives a family tree assignment in school but she can only trace back three
generations. Grandma gathers the whole family and the student learns that 400 years ago in
1619 their ancestors were stolen and brought to America by white slave traders. But before
that they had a home a land a language. She learns how the people said to be born on the
water survived. And the people planted dreams and hope willed themselves to keep living
living. And the people learned new words for love for friend for family for joy for grow for
home. With powerful verse and striking illustrations by Nikkolas Smith Born on the Water
provides a pathway for readers of all ages to reflect on the origins of American identity.
