Booklist Reviews WE SING FROM THE HEART

We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Victor Bizar Gómez, published by Red Comet Press.

Growing up Chinese American in San Diego, Simon Tan experienced racism from other kids but never expected to be subjected to discrimination by the government. That happened when the U.S. Patent Office refused to grant him a trademark for the name of his all-Asian rock band, The Slants, on the grounds that the name was racist. Simon took his fight, a reclamation of identity, to the Supreme Court and won after an eight-year battle.

This sophisticated picture book eloquently shares Simon’s story, effortlessly integrating straightforward narrative, imagined exchanges that propel the action, explanatory footnotes, and song lyrics excerpted from “From the Heart,” The Slants’ anthem about their trademark struggles.

The collage-like illustrations are especially effective in capturing action and portraying emotion, whether showing Simon rocking out on the cover or turning on his tormentors as a child. Rich back matter includes profiles of other Asian American anti-racism activists, a bibliography, and extended notes from Wenjen and Simon Tan himself.

This entertaining and timely account brings freedom of speech and civil rights into sharp focus.

[middle grade picture book, for grades 3 -6]