The Last Stand by Antwan Eady, Jarrett Pumphrey, Jerome Pumphrey
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 2024
ISBN: 0593480570
Genres: Farm Life, Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

An unnamed young teen boy helps his grandfather harvest and sell fresh produce at the last remaining farm stand in their all-Black neighborhood. Poignantly, their’s is the last stand open in what was once a thriving five-stall location. When the grandfather becomes ill, his grandson works hard to continue business as usual by loading up a wagon and peddling it to the farm stand with his bicycle. The grateful neighbors bring gifts of jams and baked goods to wish his grandfather well. The grandfather does recover and the last pages show that the grandson takes over the stand as an adult. Significantly, one of the other stands has also reopened by then, showing some signs of recovery for Black farmers, as well.

The author’s note at the end of the book explains the reality of the plight of small-scale Black farmers. He hopes this book will help to bring this issue to light. The illustrations are done with handmade stamps and digitally edited.

Highly recommended as an engaging way to introduce 3-7 year olds to important social issues.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine