{"product_id":"bessie-the-motorcycle-queen-9781338752472","title":"Bessie the Motorcycle Queen","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHop 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.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe folks they lined up to meet the Motorcycle Queen, seated sidesaddle on her motorbike machine.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA much-needed story about a Black woman who paved the way for future generations, for fans of \u003ci\u003eThe Undefeated\u003c\/i\u003e by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson and \u003ci\u003eMy Papi Has a Motorcycle\u003c\/i\u003e by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCharlot Kristensen is a Dublin based illustrator, designer, and book author. As a Black artist she often depicts underrepresented characters in empowering ways to help change their narratives. Some of her most renowned clients include HuffPost, Google, Scholastic, Penguin Random House, and the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e. You can find her at charlotk.myportfolio.com. \u003cbr\u003e Charles R. Smith Jr. is an award-winning author, photographer, and poet with over thirty books to his credit. His awards include a Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration (2010) for his photographs accompanying the Langston Hughes poem, \u003ci\u003eMy People\u003c\/i\u003e, and a Coretta Scott King Honor Author Award (2008) for his biography on Muhammad Ali, \u003ci\u003eTwelve Rounds to Glory\u003c\/i\u003e. Many of his books have also garnered reluctant reader awards, proving that kids that don't like to read do like to read his books. He was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and currently lives in Poughkeepsie, New York. You can find him at charlesrsmithjr.com.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Orchard Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50611324715282,"sku":"9781338752472","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_5ab3195b-f409-4676-a108-bf4e71205396.jpg?v=1732360534","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/bessie-the-motorcycle-queen-9781338752472","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}