Nelson presents a picture book adaptation of her No Crystal Stair source material, narrated by young Lewis, son of the National Memorial African Bookstore proprietor Lewis Michaux. Studded with Michaux's aphorisms ("Don't get took! Read a book!"), the book conveys the store's vibrancy during the tumultuous 1960s. Christie, whose black-and-white drawings illustrate No Crystal Stair, here employs full pages drenched with expressionistic color. Bib.

Starred Review This companion to No Crystal Stair (2012) introduces younger readers to Nelson's great-uncle, Lewis Michaux Sr., owner of Harlem's National Memorial African Bookstore. Michaux's young son, Lewis Jr., narrates; he recalls helping his father with the day-to-day operation of the shop; visits from the famous, including Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X; and the devoted community patronage that helped the store thrive for nearly four decades. Nelson highlights Michaux's dedication to his calling (he financed the business with his own money and often slept at the store when customers stayed late) as well as his determination to educate his clientele. She also notes the political climate the store fostered, detailing a missed meeting with Malcolm X on the night he was shot, which probably saved Michaux's life. Christie, who also illustrated the earlier volume, here uses a bold color palette and realistically rendered figures. He incorporates many of Michaux's slogans ("Don't get took! Read a book!") into the art, especially on the endpapers and in depictions of the storefront. Appended with generous back matter, including a list of sources, this moving tribute should be a welcome addition to almost any collection.