Bessie the Motorcycle Queen
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Hop on the bike with Bessie Stringfield, the motorcycle queen of Miami, in this powerful picture book from Coretta Scott King medalist Charles R. Smith, Jr. and debut picture book illustrator Charlot Kristensen.
The folks they lined up to meet the Motorcycle Queen, seated sidesattle on her motorbike machine.
In 1929, 18-year-old Bessie Stringfield hopped on her motorcycle and headed out on an adventure, an unusual choice for a young Black woman at the time. Paying her way by winning motorcycle races, she criss-crossed the country through small towns, big cities, and wide open spaces.
But not everyone was happy to see Bessie's brown face peeking out from underneath her helmet. And more than once, Bessie found herself making some quick exits on the back of her bike to escape Jim Crow. A trailblazer in the world of women's racing and motorcycling, Bessie Stringfield was a figure who will inspire all children to pursue their dreams.
From the first line, award-winning author Charles R. Smith Jr.’s poetry evokes emotion, excitement, fear, and wonder in equal measures. Charlot Kristensen portrays Bessie and the American landscape with vivid imagery that is sure to capture the attention of young readers.
A much-needed story about a Black woman who paved the way for future generations, for fans of The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson and My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Pena.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Smith kicks off this onomatopoeic picture book biography of "Motorcycle Queen" Bessie Stringfield (1911–1993) with a dazzling series of motorcycle stunts, and a white-presenting crowd asking questions about the Black stuntwoman's background: "Bessie told her story again and again." Having taught herself to ride a motorcycle at the age of 16, Stringfield leaves Boston behind at 19. With a map for direction and a flipped penny as her guide, she travels Jim Crow–era America, relying "on word of mouth/ for where to get gas,/ where to sleep for the night," racing her motorcycle to earn money, and outriding racist people who would do her harm ("wearing white sheets/ here they come/ here they come"). In mythologizing prose, Smith compiles the uncertain details of Stringfield's life story into a digestible tale of a Black woman who lived on her own terms. Kristensen's lively unlined illustrations emphasize bright landscapes and images of the figure on her bike. Back matter includes an author's note. Ages 6–8.
