NIKKI GRIMES

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A host of events, from lectures to documentary screenings, are taking place throughout the Grand Rapids area in February. February is designated as Black History Month. Hey Marco is a jazz/pop ensemble from Grand Rapids who specializes in weaving intricate rhythm, melody and harmony together with soaring vocals. Enjoy a series of free virtual events highlighting members of our community.”The History of the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives. Learn how one of Grand Rapids’ best-rated Black-owned barbecue restaurants keeps customers coming back for more with this immersive cooking session.

Donna Barba Higuera’s “The Last Cuentista,” a post-apocalyptic tale of a young girl who must preserve the memory of Earth’s history, has won the John Newbery Medal for the year’s best children’s book.

The latest novels from Colson Whitehead and Joy Williams, and Honorée Fanonne Jeffers’ debut work “The Love Songs of W.

Books by and about Kamala Harris proved to be a popular purchase following the election. The vice president-elect was the subject or author of four books on Amazon's top 10 Sunday. They included her own children’s book “Superheroes Are Everywhere,” her memoir “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey,” a children’s book by her niece Meena Harris called “Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea” and Nikki Grimes’ illustrated “Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice.”Harris made history as the first Black woman to become vice president. President-elect Joe Biden also got a spot on the charts just outside of the top 10. Dr. Jill Biden’s children’s book “Joey: The Story of Joe Biden” landed in 14th place.

All rights reserved)NEW YORK That didn't take long: Just weeks after making history as the running mate for Democratic nominee Joe Biden, Sen. Kamala Harris will be the subject of a new picture book. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing announced Wednesday that prize-winning author Nikki Grimes has written Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice, which features illustrations by Laura Freeman. In June, Simon & Schuster published Joey: The Story of Joe Biden, a picture book written in part by his wife, Jill Biden. Harris, a California Democrat, is the first Black woman and first Asian American woman named to a major party presidential ticket. Harris told her own story in The Truths We Hold, which came out last year.