An Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller An NPR Best Book of 2021 A TIME Magazine Best Children's Book of 2021 A Barnes & Noble Book of the Year finalist A Barnes & Noble Best Picture Book of 2021 A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2021 A School Library Journal Best Nonfiction Book of 2021 A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids 2021 An Evanston Public Library Great Book for Kids 2021: Poetry A Chicago Public Library Best Informational Book for Older Readers of 2021 A News & Observer Best Book of 2021 An American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) Blog Best Book of 2021 An Amazon Best of November: Ages 6-8 of 2021 An Amazon Best children's book of 2021: Ages 6 to 8 A 2023 AAMBC Literary Award for Children Books/YA Author of the Year, Winner A 2022 ILA Notable Books for a Global Society Award Winner A 2022 Irma S. Black Award Silver Medalist A 2022 Bank Street College The Best Children's Books of the Year A 2022 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award for Children's Poetry Winner A 2022 NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts Award Winner A 2022 SDUSMP Phillis Wheatley Book Award Winner A Seattle's Child Best Book of 2022 A King County Library System Best Children's Book of 2022 A 2022 Cybils Award Winner (blog) An American Library Association 2022 Notable Children's Book A 2021 Black Caucus of the American Library Association Best of the Best A 2022 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book An Indiana Read Aloud Selection A Maine Student Book Award Selection A Rhode Island Children's Book Award Selection A Capitol Choices (DC) Master List Title A Volunteer State (TN) Book Award Selection PRAISE FOR THE 1619 PROJECT: BORN ON THE WATER "A gift to Black Americans and everyone else who reads it." Kirkus Reviews , starred review "Black history is not merely a story of slavery and suffering but one of perseverance and hope." Publisher's Weekly , starred review "A stunning work, providing a glimpse into the history of the Black experience before and after the slave trade; the poetic language and breathtaking artwork will have a lasting effect on readers." School Library Journal , starred review "Written in lovely and loving verse, with dynamic, expressive, and expansive illustrations that convey the emotional journey of a resilient people, this book provides a moving, informative answer to an essential question." Horn Book , starred review.