From the New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist, a biography in verse and prose of science fiction visionary Octavia Butler, author of Parable of the Sower and Kindred .

Acclaimed novelist Ibi Zoboi illuminates the young life of the visionary storyteller Octavia E. Butler in poems and prose. Born into the Space Race, the Red Scare, and the dawning Civil Rights Movement, Butler experienced an American childhood that shaped her into the groundbreaking science-fiction storyteller whose novels continue to challenge and delight readers fifteen years after her death.

I didn’t know much about Octavia E. Butler’s life before picking up this book, but found the format and premise of it intriguing. It’s a mix of poetry, some media and small chapter snippets about her life and the events that shaped it or impacted her writing. Each poem has a companion chapter that explains more about her life and the current events at the time. There were also some photographs and other media included. Though this was written for/marketed to younger readers, I felt it was a great read for anyone wanting to know more about Octavia E Butler and definitely made me more interested in checking out more of her work.

Happy reading!