Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes. Illustrated by Dawn Anybwile

Image: Norton Young Readers

Waiting on Wednesday features a graphic novel memoir called Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes. Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile. Mr. Anyabwile is fast becoming one of my favorite graphic novel artists. He illustrated Kwame Alexander's The Crossover. Mr. Barnes won a Newbery Honor for his debut picture book, Crown: Ode to a Fresh Cut. He collaborated with Mr. Smith on this memoir. It will be published on September 27 (my birthday!). 

Here's the publisher synopsis: A groundbreaking and timely graphic memoir from one of the most iconic figures in American sports—and a tribute to his fight for civil rights.

On October 16, 1968, during the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith, the gold medal winner in the 200-meter sprint, and John Carlos, the bronze medal winner, stood on the podium in black socks and raised their black-gloved fists to protest racial injustice inflicted upon African Americans. Both men were forced to leave the Olympics, received death threats, and faced ostracism and continuing economic hardships.

In his first-ever memoir for young readers, Tommie Smith looks back on his childhood growing up in rural Texas through to his stellar athletic career, culminating in his historic victory and Olympic podium protest. Cowritten with Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Honor recipient Derrick Barnes and illustrated with bold and muscular artwork from Emmy Award–winning illustrator Dawud Anyabwile, Victory. Stand! paints a stirring portrait of an iconic moment in Olympic history that still resonates today.

I can't wait to add this to my school library's collection. And, isn't that cover amazing? Happy reading!