Hope is an Arrow: The Story of Lebanese American Poet Kahlil Gibran by Cory McCarthy. Illustrated by Ekua Holmes. unpgd. Candlewick Press, July 5, 2022. 9781536200324. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)
Gibran Kahlil Gibran was born in Bsharri, what is now Lebanon in 1883. He was an introvert who preferred to spend time in the woods and found comfort in his art. Religious turmoil in his country led to his father's imprisonment and his mother's and siblings' immigration to the south end of Boston, where his name was Americanized. In America, Kahlil noticed that the clashes were between the classes as he witnessed first-hand the disdain with which his hard-working mother was treated.
His older brother was needed to work and his sisters were not allowed to go to school, leaving only Kahlil with an education. His art caught the attention of a famous photographer, Fred Holland Day, when he was only thirteen. Day took him under his wing and helped launch his art career, but his mother, fearing that he was becoming too Americanized, sent him back to Lebanon to study and live with his father. He eventually returned to America and, at the age of forty, published The Prophet, which would eventually be published in over forty languages. Its continued popularity makes Gibran the world's third best-selling poet.
The author relates the details of the poet's life sparely and sprinkled with quotes from his writings. Even though the intended audience will most likely be unfamiliar with the name, their parents, and certainly their grandparents, probably have a beaten copy of The Prophet in the home library. Gibran's immigrant experience, straddling two cultures will be relatable to young audiences, perhaps inspiring young readers to seek out his writing. Back matter contains photos and detailed source notes that fill out details.
The art is stunning and utterly engaging. The colors and textures invite lingering on each spread as Ms. Holmes juxtaposes the poet's dual identities.
Picture book biographies, when they are well done, can pique a reader's interest in learning more. Hope is an Arrow introduces a new generation to a wise poet.
