Jump Back, Paul ─ The Life and Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar

Discover the breadth and depth of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poetry—and learn how it reflects his singular life as a late-nineteenth-century black man.

Did you know that Paul Laurence Dunbar originated such famous lines as "I know why the caged bird sings" and "We wear the mask that grins and lies"? From his childhood in poverty and his early promise as a poet to his immense fame and his untimely death, Dunbar’s story is one of triumph and tragedy. But his legacy remains in his much-beloved poetry—told in both Standard English and in dialect—which continues to delight and inspire readers today. More than two dozen of Dunbar’s poems are woven throughout this volume, illuminating the phases of his life and serving as examples of dialect, imagery, and tone. Narrating in a voice full of admiration and respect, Sally Derby introduces Paul Laurence Dunbar’s life and poetry to readers young and old, aided by Sean Qualls’s striking black-and-white illustrations.

Sally Derby is the author of several books for young readers, includingNo Mush Today, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell, and Kyle’s Island. Sally Derby lives in Cincinnati.

Sean Qualls is an award-winning illustrator whose many books for young people includeSkit-Scat Raggedy Cat by Roxane Orgill. Sean Qualls lives in Brooklyn.